Published: June 1, 2021

While CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's museums may be closed through the summer for in-person experiences, there's plenty going on virtually for everyone to enjoy.ÌýHere’s a look at what’s happening online at the museums this summer:

CU Museum of Natural History — Museum From Home events

While the Museum of Natural History remains closed until the fall semester, the Museum From Home program offers up exhibits and more to do from anywhere, with many programs available in Spanish. Among them are:

  • "Horses in the North American West," a virtual exhibit that explores the history of horses and their interactions with and incorporations into society across the region
  • A three-dimensional virtual tour of the museum's palentology hall
  • "Snakes of Colorado," which spotlights the 29 different species of snake that make the Centennial State their home
  • "Ross Sea: The Last Ocean," spotlighting the sea;Ìýits biologically diverse ecosystem; andÌýthe work of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ artist John Weller, a team of scientists, policy makers, and ordinary citizens from around the world who worked tirelessly to have the Ross Sea designated as a marine protected area.

°­²¹³Ù±ðÌý±Ê±ð³Ù±ô±ð²â'²õÌýEqual MeasureÌý(2021),ÌýanÌýarchivalÌýprint andÌýacrylic onÌýcanvas, 72 x 76Ìýinches. (Photo courtesyÌýofÌýtheÌýartist andÌýRobischonÌýGallery)

°­²¹³Ù±ðÌý±Ê±ð³Ù±ô±ð²â'²õÌýEqual MeasureÌý(2021),ÌýanÌýarchivalÌýprint andÌýacrylic onÌýcanvas, 72 x 76Ìýinches. (Photo courtesyÌýofÌýtheÌýartist andÌýRobischonÌýGallery)

CU Art Museum exhibitions

The CU Art Museum will remain closed to the public through mid-August.ÌýWhen the museum reopens, it will play host to several exhibitions and plenty of programs

  • "Kate Petley: Staring into the Fire," opening in the fall, will bring togetherÌýa new body of work comprised of abstract photographs and works on canvas.
  • "Tim Whiten: Tools of Conveyance" will feature work from the Toronto-based artist when it also opens in the fall,Ìýorganized around themes and processes that emerge in his creations. These includeÌýthresholds and transitions; interactions between domestic and creative art forms; and the primacy of mark making.
  • A third exhibition, "The Art That Made Medicine," will open in September andÌýtraces the interconnections between artistic practice and medical knowledge in Western anatomical illustration from the late 1400s to the mid-1900s.

Additionally, the museum has selectedÌýan artist in residence, , who will be at the museum in late September through October.

In the meanwhile, a variety of virtual activites are available from the museum,Ìýincluding coloring books pages and close looking exercises.

CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Heritage Center

The CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Heritage Center presents the history of the CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ campus and its alumni. While the physical location of the Heritage Center remains closed to the public due to the pandemic, some of its exhibits can be viewed online.

The center's most recent exhibit is , which follows the history of CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's commencement ceremonies. From the first commencement in 1882 with six graduates to current ceremonies, this ehibit traces the traditions and trends of commencement through the decades.

In addition, two of the center's physical exhibits have been adapted for online visitors:

  • explores the history of CU's mascots, with a focus on the university's beloved Ralphie. Learn about where Ralphie came from and some of her extraordinary appearances through the years.
  • Ìýshowcases the photography work of Professor J. Raymond Brackett, with over 170 old glass plate negatives that document the university’s expansion over the years, beginning in 1884 when Brackett first arrived in ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ. Brackett's photos reveal sometimes forgotten aspects of CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's campus history, includingÌýsome buildings that no longer exist.

Finally, the Heritage Center's new CU StoryBank allows faculty, students, staff and the public to contribute their CU stories and experiences to the center directly.