Members Book For Crystal Bridges Preview

— A month before the opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, construction crews are working to put finishing touches on the $100 million facility, and members are hurriedly scheduling their visits to a 24-hour preview event.

The museum opens Nov. 11, but members have the opportunity to walk through between 9 a.m. Nov. 9 and 8 a.m. Nov. 10. Chris Sooter of Bentonville said he tried to set up his visit online as soon as the email arrived saying the schedule was available.

He wasn’t the only member trying to do the same thing. He said the system was clogged for some time before he was able to register his visit. In the end, he got the time he wanted — 5 p.m. Nov. 9.

Others weren’t so lucky. The preview event is booked from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Ample space for members is available during the morning and overnight hours. Members sign up in half-hour intervals, but once inside they can stay as long as they’d like, according to the Crystal Bridges website. The site advises members plan for a two- to three-hour visit.

The museum’s original membership drive kicked off in July and drew more than 3,000 members in its first week. There are almost 4,500 member households, most in Northwest Arkansas. The membership pool also includes a large concentration in Little Rock and patrons in Florida, California, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine and New York, according to the museum.

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Membership Registration

Membership registration is available at crystalbridges.org/membership or by calling 479-418-5728.

In addition to the preview event, membership benefits include free or discounted admission to special events and exhibits, invitations to other members-only events, subscription to a museum magazine, the ability to rent select museum facilities and a 10 percent discount in the museum store.

Membership costs range from $35 for students up to $10,000 for guild members. A family membership costs $75.

One initial selling point for some original members may have been free admission to the museum. However, in July, Walmart announced a $20 million grant to sponsor admission for everyone.

That announcement came a week after Kathy McClure purchased her membership. She said she would have become a member even if admission already had been free.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. We are big supporters of the arts,” McClure said.

Sooter echoed McClure’s sentiments. He said he thinks most members just want to be a small part of this “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“It’s a privilege just to be a part of it,” Sooter said. “It’s one of the greatest things to happen in Northwest Arkansas, particularly in Bentonville.”

Crystal Bridges staff said the museum will offer many events next year to which only members will be invited. These events will include previews to exhibitions with access to staff members and curators prior to public opening dates. Taken together, sponsored admission and a robust membership program provide something for everyone, according to the museum.

Memberships are available online or by calling the guest service line. Callers can book a time for their member preview during the purchase.

Members and the general public will need to book a specific time for opening day and admission to the museum through Jan. 2. Members can book now, while the public can book their museum visits beginning Oct. 17.

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