Museums' Exhibits, Special Programs Entice Visitors

But many museums in the area disagree and open their doors to museum virgins and veterans alike, sharing permanent collections and visiting exhibitions.

The Ackland Art Museum, located on the UNC campus, is one of many places to strike a pensive pose and contemplate brush strokes.

"The Ackland is always free to students; in fact, it's free to everyone," said Andy Berner, assistant director of development at the Ackland Art Museum.

"In conjunction with a lot of the exhibitions, we hold what we call 'gallery talks,' where the curator or the organizer of the show gives an introduction to the exhibition," Berner said.

Along with its time-tested events, the Ackland Art Museum is gearing up for some big changes.

"We're in the beginning stages of planning for an expansion and planning for a new arts commons for this area of campus," Berner said. "Those plans would double the size of the current Ackland Museum."

But museum-goers might have to wait a projected three or four years for this expansion -- construction that might allow the Ackland Art Museum to explore different exhibition avenues.

Also welcoming students within its well-adorned walls, the acclaimed N.C. Museum of Art plans to continue offering quality exhibitions, including "Art in the Age of Rubens and Rembrandt," beginning in mid-October.

Beyond its usual leading exhibitions, which have included Ansel Adams and Toulouse Lautrec in recent years, NCMA has a thematic project in the works.

"We'll be kicking off a whole series in celebration of the 100th anniversary of man's first flight," said Rebecca Moore, director of communications at NCMA.

In addition to its ongoing exhibitions, the museum has a comprehensive art library and discount pricing for students.

But veteran museum-goers might notice a change in the offerings at the NCMA -- its operating hours have been reduced.

"That was a result of the state budget cuts," Moore said. "Our choice to change our hours was a logistical matter of making sure the permanent collection would be protected and preserved."

But NCMA is quick to inform concerned parties that the budget cuts will not affect the quality of its offerings.

"The budget cuts have only impacted security; most of the funding for exhibitions comes from grants, private donations and corporate sponsorship," Moore said.

More information on the Ackland Art Museum and the NCMA can be found at http://ackland.org and http://ncartmuseum.org.

The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.