The ASU Art Museum took an unconventional approach last Friday through an event called "Get Weird," in which visitors interacted with the galleries through balloon pits and more.
"Get Weird" was the most recent in a string of out-of-the-box events at the ASU Art Museum organized by Museum Hack, a New York-based museum consulting firm. The series began with critically acclaimed "Escape the Museum" nights last spring.
“I really love working with the ASU Art Museum because of their ‘yes let’s try it’ type attitude,” said Dustin Growick, a team lead from Museum Hack.
The museum shrouded the fully-booked event in mystery — guests could only reserve their spot and show up without knowing what was in store. Staff greeted visitors with a four-paneled, double-sided stamp card and a map of the event's eight galleries, but no further explanation.
Guests then discovered an eclectic array of activities ranging from a neon dance party to a balloon pit. Museum goers who completed each gallery’s activity gained access to a VIP lounge and a tour of the museum’s vault of famous paintings.
“They did a very good job keeping it a secret," said mechanical engineering senior Harrison Hanzlik. "(I) literally didn’t know what we were doing until we got here."
Mechanical engineering senior Erin Huber said the "Get Weird" event made her first visit to the ASU Art Museum a blast. She said she “loves escape the room type things” and “definitely wants to do an 'Escape the Museum' event in the future."
Growick said attendance at "Get Weird" was double what was expected.
"The museum plans on doing more of these types of events and each time the event will be new and different," he said.
Reach the reporter at aalmouai@asu.edu or follow @shazzam_96 on Twitter.
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