Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility Community Open House

Join us for our fall Community Open House, where all ages are invited to enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, explore our engaging exhibitions, and take part in creative artmaking activities. Catch the last weekend of our summer exhibition, In Pursuit: Artists’ Perspectives on a Nation, and dive into the power of free speech in our latest exhibition, Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility. Bring your friends and family for a day of inspiration, creativity, and community connection in the heart of Old City!

StoryGame led by First Person Arts  |  11 am – 4pm

Join the conversation about free speech with the First Person Arts StoryGame. The FPA StoryGame is designed to help you share your unique free speech story with Philly and the world. Your StoryGame will become part of the FPA archives and Philly history! You can share your story online by tagging the FPA social channels @firstpersonarts.

Voter Resources by Committee of Seventy  |  11 am – 4pm

With less than two weeks left until the polls, get ready to use your freedom of speech at the ballot box. The Committee of Seventy will be offering its Interactive Voter Guide so you’re prepared for November 5. The Committee of Seventy will be here to answer any questions and offer resources for this general election.

Hopes, Desires, Demands Drop-In Workshop & Send-Off Ceremony  |  12 pm – 3 pm

Celebrate the closing weekend of In Pursuit: Artists’ Perspectives on a Nation with our final drop-in workshop featuring a textile art-making activity developed in collaboration with In Pursuit artist Aram Han Sifuentes. Share your “hopes, desires, and demands for yourself, your community, and your nation” and express yourself with a variety of art supplies to choose from.

To honor the tradition of this practice and uplift the wishes shared by museum visitors during this exhibition, Sifuentes and her drumming group, Woori Sori, will send the wishes into the sky through a video performance playing throughout the day.

Creation Station  |  10 am – 5 pm

Use your artistic inspiration and take home your own piece of the Museum. Make a statement and design your own custom button inspired by our museum exhibitions or your own unique vision. Strike a pose and capture the memories with friends and family in our themed photo booth.

Teachers’ Lounge  |  10 am – 5 pm

Teachers, educators, and school faculty are invited to enjoy our “Teachers’ Lounge” with special programs and resources highlighting curricular connections to the Museum’s exhibitions. Take home classroom activities focused on free speech inspired by our newest exhibition, Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility. Meet our education staff and participate in a demo of our newest field trip program, Discovering Free Speech: What Does It Mean for You and Me?

Free Speech: Put It Into Action  |  10 am – 5 pm

Practice your free speech rights and responsibilities in our interactive gallery with activities for guests of all ages. Visitors will  learn guidelines for constructive conversation, create their own free speech sculpture, explore free speech resources like videos and primary sources, and cast their vote on how speech should be protected in our society.

Lead support for NLM’s community initiatives, including Community Open Houses, by