COME TRAVEL WTIH USMember Travel Opportunities
Exclusive to MTA Members
The Arts in America’s Heartland, Kansas City & Crystal Bridges
May 14-19, 2024
Featuring: Jennifer Dasal
Art Historian, Author, Museum Curator, and Creator/Host of the ArtCurious Podcast,
Embark on a captivating journey, as we delve into the vibrant art scene nestled in America’s heartland. Join us as we explore two dynamic cities that have risen to prominence as unparalleled art destinations.
First, immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Kansas City, Missouri, where seasoned curators will lead us through awe-inspiring museum collections that have garnered international acclaim. Delight in the masterpieces housed within these walls, from works by Old Masters such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt, to contemporary icons like El Anatsui and Isamu Noguchi, each telling a unique story of creativity and innovation.
But the adventure doesn’t end there! Venture further into the heartland as we make our way to Bentonville, Arkansas, home to the illustrious Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Ozark forest, this architectural marvel, conceived by the visionary Alice Walton, promises a day of unparalleled wonder and discovery.
Join us for an exclusive, curator-led exploration of Crystal Bridges, where every brushstroke and every sculpture whispers tales of America’s artistic legacy. Lose yourself in the beauty of 120 acres of pristine wilderness, where art and nature intertwine to create an experience like no other. Stumble upon Frank Llyod Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House or venture into Yayoi Kusama’s infinity room, My Heart is Dancing into the Universe.
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness firsthand the cultural renaissance thriving in the heartland of America. Reserve your place now, as space is limited to just 20 participants!
Download the Brochure & Registration Form >>
Traveling with you: Jennifer Dasal is an art historian and the creator and host of the acclaimed ArtCurious podcast (2016–23), which introduced listeners worldwide to “the unexpected, the slightly odd, and the strangely wonderful in art history.” In September 2020, Dasal’s first book, ArtCurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd, and Strangely Wonderful in Art History, was released by Penguin Books. Dasal is the former curator of modern and contemporary art at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), where she worked for 13 years. She earned a B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame, both in art history. She also completed Ph.D. coursework in art history at the Pennsylvania State University.
Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) is a consortium of museums and cultural institutions whose patrons and members are passionate about cultural travel. MTA is able to offer its constituents access to a curated selection of exclusive travel opportunities led by renowned scholars and curators. Travel with like-minded enthusiasts on international and domestic journeys that awaken new insights into art and culture. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, travel on elegant chartered vessels and luxury trains, go behind the scenes of major cultural institutions as you discover world masterpieces in context, and enjoy local culinary delights. Please join us!
Exclusive to MTA Members
Black Excellence in London: An Insider’s Journey into the Culture & Cuisine of Britain’s African Diaspora
June 1 – 8, 2024
London is often defined by its iconic landmarks and royal heritage. Yet, within its vibrant streets along the Thames lies a lesser-known, deeply rich vein of history—the enduring legacy of its multifaceted Black communities. With a Black heritage dating back to Roman times, London has been home to diverse African and Caribbean communities who have indelibly shaped this global capital.
Join us for an exclusive journey that unveils a London rarely seen. Go behind the scenes of prestigious museums, private art galleries, vibrant historical neighborhoods, centuries-old heritage homes, and world-class restaurants, revealing stories often relegated to the margins. Enjoy enriching guidance from internationally acclaimed experts who have dedicated their careers to unearthing and sharing this often-overlooked narrative. Become reacquainted with London’s familiar landmarks, uncovering hidden connections to Africa and the Caribbean that pulse through the city’s millennia-long history.
Each day will bring revelations: On a private tour of the National Gallery, discover Old Master paintings and Impressionist works that reveal a longstanding Black presence in Europe and Britain, from Sir Joshua Reynolds’s Colonel Tarleton to Degas’s depiction of a mixed-race acrobat, Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando. At the Bank of England, an expert curator will take us behind the scenes of the bank’s history highlighting how slavery has touched even the most venerable institutions. In Hampstead Heath, go behind the scenes of the lavish Kenwood House, once the residence of Dido Belle, who emerged from slavery to become Britain’s first Black aristocrat, challenging preconceived notions of race and class in the 18th century.
Download the Brochure & Registration Form >>
Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) is a consortium of museums and cultural institutions whose patrons and members are passionate about cultural travel. MTA is able to offer its constituents access to a curated selection of exclusive travel opportunities led by renowned scholars and curators. Travel with like-minded enthusiasts on international and domestic journeys that awaken new insights into art and culture. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, travel on elegant chartered vessels and luxury trains, go behind the scenes of major cultural institutions as you discover world masterpieces in context, and enjoy local culinary delights. Please join us!