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Member Travel

As travel is one of life’s greatest joys, we are happy to offer our members a variety of opportunities to discover regional and national cultural treasures. Our member travel program offers the chance to explore major art destinations with fellow members and museum leadership, to deepen your understanding of the world of art, architecture, and nature.

Chicago, IL

APR 11 – 14, 2023

Kindred Spirits, Benefactors, and Sustaining Circle

Endurance Level: Moderate

Discover the Windy City’s vibrant contemporary and modern art scene with Acting Curator, Contemporary Art, Alejo Benedetti. Trip Highlights: Exclusive access to Crystal Bridges and Momentary only experiences including tours of private home collections, artist studios and VIP access to EXPO Chicago; Chicago’s International Exposition of over 170 international galleries and exhibitors.

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Mexico City, Mexico

OCT 15 – 20, 2023

Kindred Spirits

Endurance Level: Active

Travel with Jen Padgett, Ph.D., Acting Windgate Curator of Craft and Co-curator of Crystal Bridge’s Diego Rivera’s America exhibition for a unique adventure exploring Mexico City’s intriguing past and cosmopolitan present. Discover the lives and works of Mexican artists Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and more while enjoying exquisite architecture and culinary delights.

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New York City, New York

NOV 14 – 17, 2023

Kindred Spirits

Endurance Level: Active

Reserve your seat for our highly anticipated biennial fall trip to the Big Apple. Traveling with Crystal Bridges Chief Curator, Austen Barron Bailly, experience the thrill of live art auctions, behind-the-scenes moments at world-class museums, galleries, and studios.

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Fee Includes:

  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Enrichment program of lectures and talks
  • Escorted sightseeing, transportation, and entrance fees for all included visits

Not included in rate:
Airfare; meals not specified; personal items and expenses.

*Dates and details are subject to change
*All member travel will resume in 2024

Not a member? Join or upgrade today!

Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are required to travel with Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to ensure the safety of travelers during our itinerary and to allow access to private collections, artist studios, and other remarkable experiences on our trip.

Embracing New Perspectives

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Our travel program includes unique experiences that may awaken your imagination, deepen your understanding of the past, present and future and at times provide opportunities to challenge your perception about art, nature and architecture. We ask for open hearts and minds, universal respect for staff and other patrons and the ability to have empathy as we explore creativity and new perspectives on local, national and global levels. In this professional and collaborative spirit, Crystal Bridges does not tolerate comments or behavior towards artists, hosts, staff, or fellow travelers that are not reflective of these values. We reserve the right to withdraw invitations to travel with the museum to any individuals who do not exhibit these shared values.

Helpful Tips

RESERVATIONS

A deposit or the full travel fee is required to confirm your spot on the trip. We find that our trips fill quickly. If a trip is at capacity, a wait list will be created. You can pay via the form online, by mailing a check, or by calling our Development team.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements, including airfare and hotel stays, for each destination. Crystal Bridges will provide a hotel block at a “base hotel” in each destination, but you do not have to stay at the suggested hotel. Programming will begin and end at the base hotel each day, and you are responsible for your own transportation to and from the base hotel, if you choose a different property. For each program, Crystal Bridges will provide a travel liaison that will help you book hotel rooms and make arrangements. You are not required to make arrangements through the liaison.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT DAY TO FLY OUT AND WHAT DAY TO RETURN FOR MULTI-DAY TRIPS?

We’ve learned that when possible, you should fly in a day before the itinerary begins and fly out the day after it ends. If you’d like to extend your stay before or after those dates, please do.

I’VE PAID MY/OUR TRAVEL FEE, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

We are excited that you are joining us. You will receive an email confirmation that we have received your fee. Our Development team will be in touch with more details on our program and itinerary. We will also put you in touch with our travel liaison to book your hotel room, if you so choose to use our partner. You will receive your itinerary for the program 6-8 weeks before the start of the trip, if not before.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY/OUR TRAVEL FEE?

Great question! All meals included on our itinerary, any entrance costs, associated tour costs, and group transportation, by land or sea.

SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF YOUR CONTROL and OURS, TOO.

We know plans change and you may need to cancel your trip. For more details on our refund policy please email MemberTravel@CrystalBridges.org
Sometimes things happen outside of our control, too. Should circumstances necessitate a change of plans, similar activities will be arranged on our itineraries. In the unlikely event that Crystal Bridges needs to cancel any trip, all payments will be fully refunded.

TRAVELING CAN TAKE A LOT OF PLANNING AND I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. WHO CAN I REACH OUT TO?

Please contact MemberTravel@CrystalBridges.org or (479) 657-2447.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

By providing a deposit, the traveler agrees to not hold Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and all of its employees free of any and all responsibility for damages to persons and property incurred while participating on this trip. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is not responsible for extra expenses incurred by delays, changes in travel plans, sickness, weather, or other causes beyond its control.

We wish you many adventures, moments of inspiration that last a lifetime, and safe travels!

Endurance Levels

Easy

Expectations: There will be standing and walking for periods of time during museum visits or tours. Shorter travel days.

Appropriate for: Travelers in good health with overall good mobility.

Moderate

Expectations: Longer touring days with many full-day motor coach excursions. Multi-day and night activities on the itinerary, may be planned. At times, standing and walking for long periods of time during tours, museum visits, and/or outdoor activities. Possible longer walks to get to locations where coaches are prohibited. Possible exposure to higher altitudes.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).

Active

Expectations: Programs are multi-day domestic and international experiences and will include day and night activities on the itinerary, many that will include full-day motor coach excursions and for certain trips can include sea/water transportation. May also include longer walks to get to locations where boats and coaches are prohibited. In some cities, elevators may not be available and guests should be able to climb stairs at a leisurely pace. Possible exposure to higher altitudes and time zones that can be a difference of 6 hours or longer.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time) or who have been cleared for physical activity under a doctor’s care and approved for long distance travel.