Make the MFA your Thursday night destination! On the third Thursday of every month, enjoy the Museum after dark with $5 admission from 5 to 10 pm. Explore the galleries, join hands-on art-making, shop unique finds, and grab drinks and a bite to eat. Every month brings something new! From community celebrations to live performances, there are plenty of reasons to gather with friends, meet new ones, or escape with art at the MFA.

What’s on View

Make the most of your Thursday evening—wander the collection galleries, visit old favorites, and discover something new. Experience the beauty of Rachel Ruysch’s astonishing flower displays in “Rachel Ruysch: Artist, Naturalist, and Pioneer” or head to the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art to explore the newly opened “Martin Puryear: Nexus,” the first comprehensive presentation of the renowned artist’s practice to date.

Events and Activities

Drop-In Art Making: Rachel Ruysch

5–9 pm (last entry 8:45 pm)
Druker Family Pavilion

Get inspired by the captivating artistry and pioneering spirit of artist Rachel Ruysch while immersing yourself in the intricately detailed floral arrangements found in “Rachel Ruysch: Artist, Naturalist, and Pioneer.” Then use watercolors to create a painting of your own.

Sound Bites: Cornell Coley

6–6:45 and 7:15–8 pm
Gallery 168

Join Cornell Coley for an interactive performance featuring drumming, movement, singing, therapeutic strategies, and cultural contexts. Experience joy, fun, and laughter as you improve wellness through music!

Spotlight Talks: Rachel Ruysch and the Science of Flowers

6 and 7 pm
Torf Gallery, 184

In an era when few women artists reached prominence, Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750) eclipsed many of her male contemporaries, with her abundant still lifes of flowers, fruits, and insects sought after by royalty. Yet her paintings were never merely decorative; they were riddles, hints of a deeper understanding of the natural world. What do you see when you step closer? Discover the unspoken truths behind Ruysch’s still lifes and admire the more than 300 natural history specimens on view alongside her paintings in the exhibition “Rachel Ruysch: Artist, Naturalist, and Pioneer.”

Nick Shea Pop-Up

6–9 pm (line opens at 5 pm)
Shapiro Family Courtyard

Local artist Nick Shea, best known for his pop-ups on the Boston Common, joins us to draw his signature index-card portraits! Portraits are drawn on a first-come, first-served basis. The line opens at 5 pm—we recommend getting there early to guarantee a spot!

Dining and Drinks

New American Café

Last seating at 7:45 pm

Enjoy tableside service in the MFA’s soaring glass-enclosed courtyard. New American Café’s menu features creative regional dishes from the Americas. Choose from a wide selection of starters, entrées, and desserts, with beverages that include North and South American wines and craft beers.

Taste

Open until 9:30 pm

Stop by this coffee and wine bar for lighter fare in an informal, lively setting. Choose from our signature sweet and savory desserts and pastries, as well as a variety of beverages, from gourmet coffee, tea, and espresso to craft beer and select wines.