Facebook Sponsors Free First Fridays at the San José Museum of Art

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The San José Museum of Art (SJMA) announces a new sponsorship with Facebook, Inc. to offer free general admission to all exhibitions and programs from 5-9pm on the first Friday of each month. This generous investment will allow SJMA to extend opening hours beyond 5pm on a monthly basis in an effort to increase access to the Museum’s resources, collections, and programs. Facebook Free Fridays also expand the ways that the Museum is achieving its overarching goal to become a borderless museum, essential to creative life throughout the diverse communities of San José and Silicon Valley.

This sponsorship initiative is led by the Facebook Art Department, which provides opportunities for artists to create new, large-scale, site-specific installations on Facebook campuses nation-wide, with the goal of fostering creative experimentation and supporting neighboring artistic communities. “We believe that art and artists are essential in society and deserve ongoing support as well as platforms for experimentation and public engagement,” said Jessica Shaefer, Facebook Art Department’s head of public programs and partnerships. “We’re excited to partner with SJMA to expand access to the Museum’s fantastic programming for members of the South Bay community and beyond.”

Facebook First Fridays at the San José Museum of Art will include general admission to all exhibitions, as well as a lively atmosphere featuring music and a cash bar with opportunities to engage with art and artists. The year-long sponsorship begins on February 1, 2019.  “We are so pleased by this opportunity to present free admission and programming to Silicon Valley,” said Susan Sayre Batton, Oshman Executive Director of the San José Museum of Art. “As SJMA becomes a borderless museum, we are striving to break down all barriers to engagement, including removing admission fees on First Fridays and expanding evening hours with thoughtful programming. By offering these free late nights, we are ensuring that we are open for people to visit the Museum, view our engaging exhibitions, participate in a program, and listen to music.”

The San José Museum of Art reflects the diverse cultures and innovative spirit of Silicon Valley. Through its exhibitions, programs, scholarship, and collections, SJMA connects the present and the past, the art of the West Coast and the world. The Museum fosters awareness of artists’ broad contributions to society and engages audiences with the art of our time and the vitality of the creative process.

For more information about Facebook’s AIR program, visit Facebook at fb.com/artistinresidence or go to Instagram @fbairprogram.

Facebook Art Department

The Facebook Art Department includes the Artist in Residence (FB AIR), Analog Research Lab (ARL), and Creative Engagement programs, which have a collective mission to encourage creativity, innovation, openness, and connectivity through art and design. FB AIR invites artists to create site-specific art installations around the world at Facebook offices, and ARLs act as on-site print studios that host immersive learning experiences through the Creative Engagement program. FB Art Department also presents public-facing programs and supports projects that bring together diverse communities in real life and encourage the exploration of creative and critical thinking.

Press contacts
Melanie Samay, msamay@sjmusart.org or 408.271.6872 
Frederick Liang, fliang@sjmusart.org or 408.291.5374
Kyle Gerstenschlager, kyleg@fb.com or 650.561.2737

San José Museum of Art

The San José Museum of Art is located at 110 South Market Street in downtown San José, California. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 5pm and until 8pm or later on the third Thursday of each month. Starting Friday, February 1, 2019, SJMA is also open on Fridays 11am to 9pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students, and $5 for youth ages 7–18. Members and children ages 6 and under are admitted free. First Fridays of the month are free from 5–9pm. For more information, call 408.271.6840 or visit SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.