See what’s going on at the Frist during the dates you are planning to visit.


Martin ArtQuest®

ArtQuest is the Frist’s inclusive and interactive art-making space where guests of all ages can get creative—draw, animate, make prints, paint, and more!

ArtQuest is open all hours the Frist is open and is included with gallery admission (youth 18 and under are always free).

Mom, dad and two young daughters smile and hold up paintings they just made


Exhibitions

People walking through a gallery with Surrealism paintings

International Surrealism from Tate:
Fifty Years of Dreams

May 22–Aug 30, 2026
Drawn from the collection of Tate, UK, International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams focuses on the long trajectory and broad international reach of surrealism as a state of mind through a captivating selection of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and other art objects, as well as publications and archival… Read More
Gallery with an installation with tall red string-like pieces handing together in a square with other works on the walls

Anila Quayyum Agha: Interwoven

May 22–Aug 30, 2026
Anila Quayyum Agha: Interwoven spans two decades of the Pakistani American artist’s multifaceted practice across media including immersive installations, works on paper, paintings, and sculptures. Read More
Acrylic painting with colorful shapes

An Indigenous Present

Jun 26–Sep 27, 2026
An Indigenous Present, a thematic exhibition spanning 100 years of modern and contemporary Indigenous art, includes new commissions and significant works by 15 artists who use strategies of abstraction to represent personal and collective narratives, describe specific and imagined places, and build upon cultural and aesthetic traditions. Read More
A drawing of two young girls sticking out their tongues with a black and white stripped background.

2026 Young Tennessee Artists: Selections from Advanced Studio Art Programs

Aug 28, 2026–Mar 28, 2027
The eleventh biennial Young Tennessee Artists exhibition showcases some of the finest two-dimensional artwork by high school students from across the state. Students in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) studio art programs during the 2025–26 academic year were invited to submit their work to be considered for… Read More
Kaleidoscope type image with human shaped figure in the center surrounded by many vibrant colors and shapes

Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman

Sep 25, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman features 17 artists working with both analog and emergent technologies to visualize the interrelationship between humanity, other species, and the earth itself. Read More
A woman views a projection of flowers and plants in an art museum.

Robin Vuchnich: In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers—The Memory of a Season

Sep 25, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
The nineteenth-century philosopher Henry David Thoreau has long been celebrated for his profound essays on subjects ranging from natural history to social justice. In his most prominent work, Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1854), Thoreau meditates on the transcendent experience of living in direct communion with nature. Throughout his life,… Read More
A silver Menorah with etched grapes and leaves.

Beauty and Ritual: Judaica from the Jewish Museum, New York

Oct 30, 2026–Feb 7, 2027
Drawn from the world-renowned collection of the Jewish Museum in New York City, this exhibition presents more than 130 Jewish ceremonial objects (Judaica) from antiquity to the present, including books, silver, and textiles. Read More
A Mughal ring with rubies and emeralds inlayed in gold.

The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture, and Opulence

Feb 5–May 9, 2027
This major exhibition celebrates the breathtaking art and cosmopolitan culture of the Mughal court’s golden age (about 1560–1660) during the reigns of its most famous emperors. Read More
A painting of a woman in a white blouse reclines on a pillow.

French Impressionism and the Nabis: Works from the Collection of Marlene and Spencer Hays

Feb 5–May 9, 2027
With his wife Marlene, Nashville entrepreneur and philanthropist Spencer Hays began collecting art in the 1970s. The couple soon developed a passion for French art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and for more than 40 years, they built a collection that is today renowned for its… Read More
A triangle quilt with red edges and an upside-down peace sign in the middle.

Through These Hands: Crafting Material Visions

Feb 5–May 9, 2027
Through These Hands: Crafting Material Visions features the work of four Tennessee-based artists whose innovate creative practices engage with Black craft traditions. Read More
A drawing of men's faces abstracting like a ribbon on a black background with spheres.

M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations

Mar 5–Jun 13, 2027
Dutch artist M.C. Escher (1898–1972) spent his adult life pursuing the impossible and the infinite. This comprehensive exhibition, featuring more than 150 original drawings, woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints, traces the imagery that made him one of the world’s most recognized artists. Read More
An abstract painting with splattered paint in the colors white, yellow, red, and blue.

Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Jun 4–Aug 29, 2027
Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrates the diversity and creativity of American art from the 1940s to the present. Read More

Basquiat, the Blue Ribbon Paintings, and the Art of Reproduction

Jun 4–Aug 29, 2027
This exhibition brings to light Jean-Michel Basquiat’s rarely studied engagement with printmaking as central to his practice and as a site of innovation and collaboration. Read More

Beauford Delaney: So Much Love and Beauty

Jul 9–Oct 3, 2027
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Beauford Delaney (1901–1979) pioneered his signature abstract aesthetic and lyrical style to harness the power of color at the intersection of key mid-twentieth-century art movements. Read More
A print of a woman sitting in a chair with French text.

Splendor and Luxury: French Art Nouveau and Art Deco

Oct 1, 2027–Jan 2, 2028
Splendor and Luxury showcases the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ renowned collection of French art nouveau and art deco—one of the most significant of its kind. Read More
A watercolor painting of a woman playing a piano with colorful music notes.

Soul, Sound, & Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney

Oct 29, 2027–Jan 30, 2028
This exhibition underscores the profound influence of music in his life and work and features more than 75 works organized in three thematic sections. Read More

Events

A colorful striped graphic with the words

PechaKucha Vol. 53: The Dialogue of Space

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Auditorium; Free for Frist Art Museum and Civic Design Center members; $20 for not-yet members; Space is limited; registration is required

This edition of PechaKucha will explore the ongoing dialogue between our ideas and the physical spaces we inhabit. Read More
Register
Tramaine Artemis singing in Cafe Cheeserie

Music in the Café: Tramaine Arte’Mis & The I7 Jazz Band

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Tramaine Arte’Mis & The I7 Jazz Band—making waves and turning heads with their authentic and eclectic smooth jazz sound. Read More
A woman crouches over another woman on a floor mat in a self defense class.

Self-Defense Class

Saturday, August 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Auditorium; $10 for members; $30 for not-yet members (gallery admission and parking are included); Space is limited; registration is required; ages 18+

Join us for a hands-on self-defense workshop led by Nikki Chiavuzzi of Deer Lady Defense. We’ll start small and build together, with care taken to meet you where you are. Presented in conjunction with An Indigenous Present, the class will cover how to protect yourself during any… Read More
Register
Metal grate and a portion of the scalloped ceiling in the lobby of the Frist

Architecture Tour

Saturday, August 29, 2026, 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Meet in the Grand Lobby Free; no reservations necessary

Offered every Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
When was the Frist Art Museum built? Who was the architect? Can you tell me about the floors in the galleries? Enjoy a guided tour of our landmark art deco building at 3:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Read More
A group of adults and kids stand around a Multisensory Station in an art gallery.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, August 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; $16 for not-yet members

Please join us for Homeschool Monday, and enjoy priority access to Martin ArtQuest with gallery tours led by museum art teachers. Read More
A woman paints in an art classroom.

Vitality Arts Mixed-Media Workshop

Thursday, September 3, 2026, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

Shelby Park Community Center (401 S 20th St, Nashville, TN 37206); Free • Registration is required; For participants aged 55+

Every Thursday through November 5 (skipping October 22)
Learn new skills and explore your creativity in this free mixed-media workshop, taught by Amber Lelli at Shelby Park Community Center. Read More
A series of white symbols on black canvas.

Frist Films: Reframing the Narrative—Indigenous Filmmakers in Focus

Thursday, September 3, 2026, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Auditorium; Free for members; gallery admission required for not-yet members; First come, first seated

In conjunction with An Indigenous Present, Indigenash presents an evening of film and conversation featuring three Nashville-based filmmakers whose work reflects distinct cultural experiences and creative perspectives from across Turtle Island. Read More
Two women look at an art tapestry with music notes on it.

Artist’s Perspective: “What Gets Amplified” with Raven Chacon

Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Auditorium; Free for members; $20 for not-yet members

Join us in the auditorium for an evening with composer and multimedia artist Raven Chacon to learn more about Chacon’s recent works. Read More
Register
A group of people write in an art gallery.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing

Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Galleries and Studio B Gallery admission and parking are included; Space is limited; registration is required

Join us as we explore how these modalities can promote healthy self-awareness, personal enjoyment, and care for both self and community. Read More
Register
A young girl draws in a journal in an art gallery.

Family Sunday

Sunday, September 13, 2026, 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet members

On selected Sundays each month, join us for special kid-friendly programming, family tours, and multisensory gallery experiences. Read More
Drinking chocolate is being poured from pottery vase into another ceramic mug.

ARTlab: A Drinking Chocolate Workshop—Past and Present

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Studio A; $25 for members; $45 for not-yet members; Space is limited; registration is required

Peel, pour and sip history! Led by chocolate historian Sophia Rea, this delicious workshop draws inspiration from the exhibition An Indigenous Present Read More
Register
Musician Ronny Criss hold a guitar in a black and white photo.

Music in the Café: Ronny Criss

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Ronny Criss, in Café Cheeserie.  Read More
A pixelated image two men in a band.

Music in the Café: Duette

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by local musical duo Duette in Café Cheeserie. Read More
An abstract technology based artwork with geometric shapes and bright colors.

Shimmer Symposium Keynote Conversation: Art, Technology, and the Posthuman Imagination

Friday, September 25, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Auditorium Free for members and students; $20 for not-yet members Space is limited; registration is required

This conversation features Mark Scala, chief curator at the Frist Art Museum, in conversation with Christiane Paul, curator of digital art at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Tina Rivers Ryan, an internationally renowned expert on the history of art and technology. Together, they will explore how digital technologies are transforming artistic practice and shaping new ways of thinking about art, technology, and the posthuman. Read More
Register

Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman—A Symposium on Art, Technology, and Empathic World Building

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Auditorium; $18 for students; $25 for members; $45 for not-yet members; Space is limited; registration is required

Presented in conjunction with Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman, this symposium brings together leading artists, curators, and scholars for a day of thought-provoking conversations. Panelists will offer a contextual framework for the exhibition by discussing how, using both analog and digital technologies, art can give emotional resonance to such themes as… Read More
Register
A group of people look at an art installation of colorful threads.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, September 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; $16 for not-yet members

Please join us for Homeschool Monday, and enjoy priority access to Martin ArtQuest with gallery tours led by museum art teachers. Read More
Two women sitting at a table working on an art project using thread and yarn

Educator Workshop: Shimmer

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Ingram Gallery; $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
A jazz band performs in a cafe.

Music in the Café: AJ Huang & Friends

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by the AJ Huang & Friends in Café Cheeserie. Read More
A woman in a rust colored jumpsuit sits on the ground, surrounded by different colored glass jars.

Sound Bath Meditation

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Auditorium; $25 for members; $45 for not-yet members (includes gallery admission and parking); Space is limited; registration is required

Join musician and sound practitioner Kayce Laine for a special immersive sound bath meditation in the Frist Art Museum’s beautiful auditorium. Read More
Register
Woman leaning down to look at an iPad as a man looks on.

Educator Workshop: Shimmer

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Ingram Gallery; $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
Roadie band member

Music in the Café: Roadie

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Roadie, a band that combines East-Coast flare with a Western Americana flair. Read More
Group of people gathered around a cart smelling and touching art elements.

Sensory Sunday Hour

Sunday, October 11, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet-members

Explore the Frist Art Museum, the exhibitions, and Martin ArtQuest during a sensory-friendly hour. Sound levels will be lowered throughout the exhibitions. Engage with volunteers in the galleries at multisensory carts in selected galleries. Read More
Three kids look at items on a table.

Family Sunday

Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet members

On selected Sundays each month, join us for special kid-friendly programming, family tours, and multisensory gallery experiences. Read More
A black and white photo of a man holding a guitar.

Music in the Café: Mike Carty

Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Mike Carty in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
The silhouette of a woman looks at an art projection of flowers.

Conversation: In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers

Friday, October 16, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Auditorium; Free for members; $20 for not-yet members; Registration is required and opens September 14

After experiencing In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers—The Memory of a Season, join collaborators Robin Vuchnich, a new-media artist, and Emily Meineke, assistant professor of urban landscape entomology at the University of California, Davis, as they discuss the creative partnership behind the exhibition. Read More
The two men in Duo Sudeste play guitars with a green, yellow, and red striped overlay.

Music in the Café: Duo Sudeste

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Duo Sudeste in Café Cheeserie.  Read More
A group of people write in an art gallery.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing - Part Two

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Galleries and Studio B Gallery admission and parking are included; Space is limited; registration is required

Join us as we explore how these modalities can promote healthy self-awareness, personal enjoyment, and care for both self and community. Read More
Register
A group of adults and kids draw around a still life set up in an interactive art exhibit.

Homeschool Monday

Monday, October 26, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; $16 for not-yet members

Please join us for Homeschool Monday, and enjoy priority access to Martin ArtQuest with gallery tours led by museum art teachers. Read More
A woman in a black polka-dot jumpsuit with red boots stands on a concrete ledge.

Music in the Café: Nikki Barber

Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Nikki Barber in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
Two women work together in a print making class.

Educator Workshop:
Beauty and Ritual

Thursday, November 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Upper-Level Galleries $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition Beauty and Ritual and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
A heavily shadowed man in a green shirt and sunglasses leans against a wall.

Music in the Café: Chris Tuttle

Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Chris Tuttle in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
A woman sketches on a piece of paper in an art class.

Educator Workshop:
Beauty and Ritual

Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Upper-Level Galleries $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition Beauty and Ritual and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
A group of four young people look up at the camera from a field with instruments.

Music in the Café: Young Original

Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by local swing jazz band Young Original in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
A group of people write in an art gallery.

Workshop Series: Witnessing Art Through Expressive Writing - Part Three

Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Galleries and Studio B Gallery admission and parking are included; Space is limited; registration is required

Join us as we explore how these modalities can promote healthy self-awareness, personal enjoyment, and care for both self and community. Read More
Register
A woman views a projection of flowers and plants in an art museum.

Member Morning

Sunday, November 15, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Members only

Member Mornings give Frist Art Museum members a relaxed way to start the day with early access to the museum before it opens to the general public. Enjoy docent-led tours, explore the galleries and Martin ArtQuest in a quieter setting, and experience the exhibitions from a fresh perspective. Also, members are invited to gather… Read More
Black and white photo of a band playing music surrounded by jack-o-lanterns

Music in the Café: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia, and Anson Hohne

Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Frist Art Museum Café Free

Join us for a special performance by Parker James, Paul DeFiglia, and Anson Hohne Three in Café Cheeserie. Read More
A technology based artwork with a pixelated deer in a dystopian city.

Art History Lecture: “What's So Scary About Using Tech in Art?”

Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Rechter Room; Free for members; gallery admission required for not-yet members; Frist come, first seated

This lecture traces that recurring cycle of technological change, from photography and the photocopier to computer drawing and contemporary artificial intelligence models. Read More
A man holds a violin in an outdoor hallway with brick columns.

Music in the Café: The String Smith

Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by The String Smith in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
Tim Gartland playing the harmonica

Music in the Café: Tim Gartland Group

Thursday, December 10, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Tim Gartland in Café Cheeserie. Read More
Two young girls look at a sensory cart in an art museum with two adults.

Sensory Sunday Hour

Sunday, December 13, 2026, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Free for members and guests ages 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet-members

Explore the Frist Art Museum, the exhibitions, and Martin ArtQuest during a sensory-friendly hour. Sound levels will be lowered throughout the exhibitions. Engage with volunteers in the galleries at multisensory carts in selected galleries. Read More
A mom takes a photo of two girls playing at an animation station.

Family Sunday

Sunday, December 13, 2026, 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Free for members and guests aged 18 and younger; gallery admission required for not-yet members

On selected Sundays each month, join us for special kid-friendly programming, family tours, and multisensory gallery experiences. Read More
A man plays piano and sings with a band behind him.

Music in the Café: Chip Greene

Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Café Cheeserie Free

Join us for a special performance by Chip Greene in Café Cheeserie. Listen to live music while enjoying a delicious dinner, light bites, or glass of wine or beer. Read More
Woven Nashville graphic with photos of Chuck Beard and Jason Eskridge

Woven Nashville: An Evening of Music, Art, and Conversation

Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Galleries Free for members; gallery admission required for not-yet members

This series brings together unique pairings of extraordinary Nashville creators working in all kinds of media. Each specially curated program pairs musicians with painters, writers, comics, dancers, spoken-word artists, and more. Programs are also inspired by and connected to current exhibitions at the Frist Art Museum. Read More
A group of women paint in an art studio.

Educator Workshop:
The Great Mughals

Thursday, February 18, 2027, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Ingram Gallery $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition The Great Mughals and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
Group of women make art together during a class.

Educator Workshop:
The Great Mughals

Saturday, February 20, 2027, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Ingram Gallery $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition The Great Mughals and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
Three women looking at pieces of art they made

Educator Workshop:
M.C. Escher

Thursday, March 11, 2027, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Upper-Level Galleries $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition M.C. Escher and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
Two women at a table working on an art project

Educator Workshop:
M.C. Escher

Saturday, March 13, 2027, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Studios and Upper-Level Galleries $30 for members; $35 for not-yet members (all materials, museum admission, parking validation, continental breakfast, and lunch are included)

During this workshop, educators will learn about the exhibition M.C. Escher and engage in related activities. Read More
Register
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