A New Art Experience Every Second Thursday

In the evening of the second Thursday of every month something special happens.

This is the night the Amon Carter Museum of American Art hosts its, aptly named, Second Thursdays at the Carter. Described by event creators as a “new art experience”, each Second Thursdays event features a unique theme, live music, themed cocktails and mocktails, and the opportunity to “mingle with fellow art lovers, make art, and meet visiting artists”. The best part is, like everything at the Carter, it’s free!

Photo courtesy of the Carter

Launched on the heels of the museum’s rebranding and renovation in the Fall of 2021 and designed as an affordable happy hour and night out, Second Thursdays has become one of Fort Worth’s favorite adult social gatherings.

Built upon a very intentional foundation of Creativity, Conversation, and Cocktails, Second Thursdays incorporates a creative activity, like painting, bookmaking or printmaking with interactive conversation with local or visiting artists as well as fellow attendees, and a monthly themed cocktail/mocktail creation by a local bartender (February’s Cocktail is a Cupid’s Kiss, of course). The combination makes for a very fun evening, and a unique date night or friend-group meet-up. It has also become a venue for new friendships to blossom. What better setting to meet like-minded people!

Photo courtesy of the Carter

As mentioned, monthly event themes and live music vary, but some of the most popular ones have been and will be repeated throughout the year. For example, Paws and Pictures allows attendees to bring their furry friends (outside on the lawn) and have their picture made with a reproduction of one of the museum’s permanent collection artworks, and Toasts and Tunes features a live band. For example, last year’s band was Brave Combo, and this year the May event will feature the Elvis tribute band, Graceland Ninjas.

Interestingly, while the museum’s traditional audience and membership tends toward an older demographic, Second Thursdays skew younger. Parents whose weekends are taken up with their kids’ extracurriculars, friend groups busy with work and other commitments, and an even younger set kicking off their weekends, tend to make up a large proportion of the attendees.

Photo courtesy of the Carter

While registration is not strictly required, it does help event coordinators with their planning, and while the events themselves are free, the drinks are not. However, membership hath it’s privileges, and museum members receive free cocktails at each event.

For more information and to register for upcoming events, please visit the museum’s website at cartermuseum.org/events/public-programs/second-thursdays