This winter during school vacation week, February 23-27, bring the family to the Currier Museum of Art on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to enjoy the museum's collections and programs for free (the museum is closed on Tuesdays). The Currier is offering special programs this week for the entire family to enjoy including story time, family gallery talks, hands-on activities, tours, and a performance. Free admission for the week is underwritten by the Citizens Bank Foundation. Museum admission is also free every Saturday from 10 a.m. - noon and always free to children under 18.

"The Currier recognizes that in this challenging economy many families may chose to stay closer to home and will look for local family-friendly activities," said Currier director Susan Strickler. "We want to support our community by providing free museum admission during vacation week so our extraordinary collections and programs are accessible to everyone during this uncertain time. We are extremely grateful to Citizens Bank Foundation for making this possible."

"Citizens Bank Foundation is proud to partner with the Currier to offer admission-free weeks to families during February and April school vacation," said Cathleen A. Schmidt, president of Citizens Bank.  "This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a cultural experience together, at virtually zero cost."

February Vacation Programming (please note the Currier is closed Tuesdays)

Museum Tour
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12:30 p.m.
Welcome to the Currier: Highlights of the Collection
Discover the Currier's renowned collection with a public tour.

Storytime in the Gallery
Monday, February 23, 11:30 a.m.
Looking for a way to introduce your preschooler to art? Come to the Currier for an art-related story, Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh read by Manchester City Library children's librarian Karyn Isleb. Then enjoy a talk about Woman Seated in a Chair by Pablo Picasso in the galleries. Recommended for ages 3 to 5, but all are welcome

Story in the Gallery
Monday, February 23, 1 p.m.
When Pigasso Met Mootise by Nina Laden will be read by Manchester City Library children's librarian Karyn Isleb followed by a family gallery talk about the painting Woman Seated in a Chair by Pablo Picasso.

Family Studio
Wednesday, February 25, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Adults and children can drop by one of the beautiful new museum studios to participate in an art-related activity and brief gallery talk about the "Artwork of the Day." February's Family Studio theme is "Winter Blahs."

Family Drawing in the Galleries
Thursday, February 26, 1 – 3 p.m.
Enjoy drawing? Bring the family to the Currier and sketch amongst the works of art on view. An art educator will be available to offer advice and encouragement. Pencils and paper will be provided, or bring your own.

Family Performance "The Picasso People"
Friday, February 27, 1 p.m.
"The Picasso People" use creative costuming and masks enlivened by music, mime, and puppetry, to set Picasso's masterpieces into motion. A single actor embodies more than a dozen Picasso "people" in this professional production, translating the energy behind Picasso's work into an array of clever stories which reveal how his life experiences.

Focus Tour – Springtime in Winter
Friday, February 27, 3 p.m.
Focus Tours offer visitors the opportunity to join docents and staff members in the galleries for an in-depth discussion of a particular theme, work of art, or artist. Docent Carolyn Hollman will lead the tour.

About Citizens Bank Foundation
Citizens Bank Foundation is a subsidiary of the Citizens Charitable Foundation, which is a charitable contributions vehicle of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. The foundation's support is focused on housing, community development and basic human needs CFG's Web site is http://www.citizensbank.com.

About the Currier
The Currier Museum of Art (http://www.currier.org) in Manchester, NH is home to an internationally respected collection of European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture. New galleries showcase highlights of the collection of over 11,000 objects, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O'Keeffe, and Warhol. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the engaging traveling exhibitions, a series of dynamic programs ranging from music to lectures to hands-on art-making, an expanded gift shop and an airy new café filled with light and equipped with WiFi.

The associated Art Center offers studio classes, art camps and intensive workshops for all ages. The museum also owns the Zimmerman House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, complete with the original furnishings and the owners' fine art collection.  The Zimmerman House is the only Wright-designed house in New England open for public tours which are offered April – December. For more information, visit http://www.currier.org or call 603.669.6144, x108.