(New York, May 15, 2006) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the new schedule of "Met Holiday Mondays" for the one-year period beginning Memorial Day 2006. This popular program, which opens the Museum to the public on selected Monday holidays throughout the year, began in fall 2003; prior to that, the Museum had been closed to the public on Mondays for some 30 years.
"We are delighted to start the summer season with a wide and diverse selection of special exhibitions, ranging from antiquity to the present day. These exhibitions – as well as the Museum's permanent galleries – truly do provide something for everyone. So we look forward to welcoming the broadest possible audience to the Museum, where they are sure to find something to enjoy," commented Emily K. Rafferty, President of the Metropolitan Museum.
The schedule of Met Holiday Mondays is: in 2006, Memorial Day (May 29), the Monday before Independence Day (July 3), Labor Day (September 4), and Columbus Day (October 9); and, in 2007, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15), Presidents' Day (February 19), and Memorial Day (May 28).
The exhibitions on view during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend include: Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh, a landmark presentation of art from the time of ancient Egypt's enigmatic female pharaoh; AngloMania, an exhibition of British fashion, 1976-2006, inspired by English history; Warriors of the Himalayas, Rediscovering the
Arms and Armor of Tibet, a first-ever comprehensive display of arms, armor, and equestrian equipment created between the 13th and 20th century in the world's highest plateau; and the work of two living artists – Kara Walker at the Met: After the Deluge, a commentary on race, gender, and sexuality through the artist's work in cut-paper silhouettes, seen with selections from the Museum's permanent collections, and (weather permitting) Cai Guo-Qiang on the Roof: Transparent Monument, site-specific works by the Chinese-born artist known for his elaborate sculpture installations and gunpowder projects.
The Metropolitan's public cafeteria and American Wing Café, as well as the Petrie Court Café – which will operate as a self-service café for the holidays – will also be open, in addition to several of the Museum's gift shops in the main building.
Family greeters will be present in the Museum's Great Hall to direct visitors to areas of particular interest.
A different selection of galleries and exhibitions will be open each Holiday Monday.
Met Holiday Mondays are sponsored by Bloomberg.
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