Experience all that Newfields has to offer on the first Thursday of every month. Members and public get free General Admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Garden, live musical performances, and open studio hours and gallery conversations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime Member, Free First Thursdays presented by Bank of America are the perfect opportunity to discover something new and have an exceptional experience with art and nature.

Schedule

11:30 AM | Artful Conversations | Meet at the LOVE sculpture | Floor 2

11:30 AM–3:30 PM | Open Studio | Studios 3 & 4 | Floor 1

12:30 PM–2:30 PM | Garden Exploration Cart | The Garden

1–1:30 PM | Docent-led Tour | Meet at the top of the escalator in Efroymson Entrance Pavilion | Floor 2

1–1:30 PM | Nature Story Time | Stout Reference Library | Floor 1

1:30 PM | Artful Conversations | Meet at the LOVE sculpture | Floor 2

1–3 PM | Live Music by Allison Victoria | Garden Terrace

2–2:30 PM | Lilly House Tour | Meet just inside the entrance to Lilly House

2–4 PM | Know Your Art with IMA Conservation | Floor 3 Balcony

1–4 PM | Stout Reference Library open | Floor 1

3 PM | The Garden Tour | The Garden Entrance Pavilion

6–8 PM | Truth of Freedom Celebration | Waller Gallery

15 movies. 13 summer nights.

This June, July, and August, watch the sun set and catch a film in The Amphitheater for Indy’s favorite summer tradition, The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series. Gather your friends and family to experience a lineup of timeless classics and hidden gems. Bring your blankets, pack your favorite snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy the show under the stars. Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray. It is summertime in Indiana, after all.

Doors will open at 7 PM. Arrive early to grab the perfect patch of grass, pick up some popcorn, and relax as the sun sets behind The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

Before each film, enjoy music from local DJs and challenge your friends to trivia, games, and activities. Film start times will vary throughout the season. Alcoholic beverages and additional concessions are available for purchase until 30 minutes after the film begins.

Want to travel light? Add a chair rental for $8 and we'll do the heavy lifting for you.

In the event of inclement weather films will be screened in The Tobias Theater at 9 PM. You will be notified via email on any weather calls as soon as they are made.

The Secret Sisters boldly blur the edges of country-folk to songs that untangle the thorniest aspects of life, love, and womanhood.

Join us for a professional development session specifically designed for teachers to explore the techniques and challenges of preserving artworks. Participants will get a deeper understanding of conservation practices and how they contribute to the longevity and integrity of pieces in the Indianapolis Museum of Art collection. This session will include hands-on activities, discussions with conservation experts, and a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation efforts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Explore, investigate, and create together. In this class designed for 5 to 10-year-olds and their adult, you’ll go on a guided exploration of artworks, create your own book of artwork, and become evidence-based investigators using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a child-led conversation that grows observation skills and vocabulary. 

Each ticket includes one child and one adult. Additional adults will need to purchase a General Admission ticket. All materials provided. 

Schedule

August 16: Work in Progress: Conversations about American Art 

September 20: The Message is the Medium: Contemporary Art 

October 18: African Art 

November 15: The Clowes Pavilion Reimagined 

December 20: Decorative Arts 

Rise, stretch, and flow into your morning surrounded by the stunning visuals and music in the newest installation of THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians. This one-of-a-kind yoga experience will transport you to the other side of the world and invite you to explore the meaning of Country – the Indigenous Australian worldview that everything living is connected. 

Led by certified instructors from Invoke Yoga Studio, this program is open to all skill levels and provides the perfect blend of mindfulness and masterpiece. Please bring your own yoga mat. 

*On September 14 and November 9 yoga will be held in different locations in the IMA Galleries, not inside THE LUME Indianapolis. 

Get tickets at invokestudio.com

Join our Garden Guides to see The Garden transform throughout the seasons. Each tour will highlight the prominent characteristics of each garden space and discuss flora, architecture, and history. 

Meet at The Garden Entrance Pavilion. 

Don't let the stress of the work week follow you into the weekend. That may seem easier said than done, but at Newfields, it's a walk in the park. 

Each session will start with a short wellness exercise followed by a 30-60-minute walk, depending on the weather and available daylight.  

Meet in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park under Align at 4:30 PM. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This is a rain, shine, or snow event. In cases of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or extreme low temperatures, the event will be cancelled, and you will receive notice via email at the email you used to register.  This webpage will also note if a Wellness Walk in the Park has been cancelled.  

Recharge your spirit through creativity, nature, and community. In this program designed for adults, spend 30 minutes immersed in a guided art activity, followed by a refreshing 30-minute walk through The Garden at Newfields. Experience the health and wellness benefits of artistic expression, gentle exercise, and the beauty of nature—all designed to inspire and rejuvenate. Nurture your creativity and embrace a healthier, more balanced you.