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

• 10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Garden Exploration Cart | The Garden

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

• 11:30 AM–3:30 PM | Open Studio | Studios 1 & 2 | Floor 1

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

• 12:30PM–4 PM | Open Print Study | Print Study Room | Floor 1

• 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 | Jan Aldridge Clark Musical Performance | Beer Garden Terrace

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

• 2 PM–4 PM | Garden Exploration Cart | The Garden

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

• 3 PM | The Garden Tour | The Garden Entry Pavilion

• 5–7 PM | Open Mic | Beer Garden Terrace

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 

Get away without going away. Discover the perfect escape in your own backyard with Summer Staycation at Newfields, a two-day celebration of art, nature, wellness, and community. There’s something for everyone—enjoy a wide variety of activities all over Newfields. Both days will be jam packed with morning yoga, fun in The Garden, brunch in The Beer Garden, and art making and tea tasting in THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection.  

Whether you’re a curious visitor or a local in need of a stress-free retreat, Summer Staycation invites you to sip, stroll, and stay awhile—without packing a bag.  

Check out the schedule to plan your day trip to Newfields. Please note, Saturday and Sunday will follow similar schedules. Your ticket will cover one day, so choose the day that works best for your getaway. Your ticket includes THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection.

(*) Items with an asterisk require an additional fee and ticket. You will be able to add these items in the checkout process.

ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES  

In-Gallery Activity Spaces  

Photo Ops  

Guided Art Making  

Free Sketching  

Lawn Games 

TOURS 

11 AM | Walk Around the Lake | Meet in Fairbanks Park  

Noon | Garden to Gallery: Resplendent Dreams | Meet in Pop Up 

1 PM | Garden to Gallery: Birds | Meet in Pop Up

2 PM | Lilly House | Front Door of Lilly House

3 PM | Pollinator Meadow | Meet in Fairbanks Park 

3:30 PM | The Garden | Meet at The Garden Entrance  

5 PM | Gallery | Meet in Pop Up

6:30 PM | The Garden | Meet at The Garden Entrance

FUN IN THE SUN 

11 AM–1:30 PM | Jazz Brunch | The Beer Garden

Noon | Yoga | Lilly Terrace 

Noon–3 PM | Fishing | Fairbanks Park 

1:30 PM | Sound Bowl | Floor 3 IMA Galleries  

3–5 PM | Happy Hour | The Beer Garden

THE LUME 

2–3 PM | Tea Tasting | Café Ngura  

3–5 PM | Happy Hour | Café Ngura

6–6:30 PM | Silent Disco | THE LUME

ADD-ONS

11 AM | Wee Wonders* (Saturday only)

2 PM | Adult & Child Art Making Workshops* (Saturday only)

10 AM | Cereal Cinema screening of Finding Nemo* (Sunday only)

Join us for a night under the stars and pay tribute to artist Alma Thomas. We’ll begin the night with a guided tour of Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum where you’ll explore her dazzling abstract paintings and learn more about her artistry. After the tour, we’ll head outside to The Beer Garden where you’ll enjoy a jazz ensemble performance, sunset art making, and a special visit from Butler University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, where you’ll get a chance to gaze into the cosmos using telescopes. 

Your ticket includes one free drink from The Beer Garden. You must be 21 years old to get an alcoholic beverage.  

Schedule 

7 PM | Docent-led tour of Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum 

8–9 PM | Art making on the Rec Lawn and live music in The Garden 

9–10:30 PM | Butler Astronomy student-led stargazing through telescopes 

Set up your garden for success and get insight and inspiration from three leading experts in a half-day forum at Newfields. Tim Boland, Executive Director of The Polly Hill Arboretum, will reflect on the successes and challenges of growing a resilient and beautiful garden. Bryce Lane, a former Horticultural Science professor from North Carolina State University, will present on colorful and textured shade tolerant plants. Teresa Woodard, author and content writer, will present on her newly released book, Garden to the Max, featuring Newfields own Irvin Etienne’s home garden.  

Light snacks and coffee will be provided.  

Join us for a tour and lecture about the Indigenous Australian bark paintings from the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Start in THE LUME where you’ll experience vibrant contemporary art and music and see the paintings up close and personal. Following the tour, head down to DeBoest Lecture Hall where Allison Slenker, Associate Conservator of Objects, will give you a deeper dive into the deep historical roots of the bark paintings.

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.