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Five Fun, Free Things at Duke in January

Your curated list of no-charge campus events during the academic year

Families will have free admission into the Nasher Museum of Art this month, where children can participate in a variety of activities.
Families will have free admission into the Nasher Museum of Art this month, where children can participate in a variety of activities.
Bryan Roth

Start off the New Year by attending arts events, celebrating the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. and more - right on campus and part of Duke’s free events in January.

The Working@Duke editorial team searches the Duke Events Calendar to bring you five free things to do at Duke each month during the academic year. Check out these events and visit Duke Today in early February for the next installment of fun.

Jan. 12 – See History of How Duke Was Built

Ever wonder about the architectural origins of Duke? From 2 to 4 p.m., University Archives and Facilities Management will welcome visitors to this open house in the Gothic Reading Room where original drawings, blueprints and plans of Duke’s West Campus will be on display. The works were created by Julian Abele, the African-American architect behind many of Duke’s buildings. In March, the university renamed its West Campus quad in his honor.

Jan. 12 – Documenting a Town After Tragedy

On July 6, 2013, a derailed cargo train nearly destroyed the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec. Through photographs, videos, oral histories and installations, Canadian documentary photographer Michel Huneault tells the story of the town after the tragic event. The New York Times highlighted the work.

Huneault will visit the Center for Documentary Studies from 6 to 8 p.m. for a reception, artist’s talk and book signing.

Jan. 15 – Commemorate MLK Day

Philip Freelon, the principal architect of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, will deliver the keynote address for Duke’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration at Duke Chapel. Freelon’s speech will link King’s civil rights legacy to activism in the arts and architecture.

The service will start at 3 p.m. with free parking available in the Bryan Center Garage.

Another event to mark MLK Day will include and a jazz concert featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Jan. 22 – Get Artsy with the Family

From noon to 4 p.m. the Nasher Museum of Art welcomes families with live entertainment, arts-and-crafts projects and free admission into exhibitions and galleries during “Free Family Day.”

Visitors can journey around the world by exploring The Collections Gallery to find art from different cultures and eras. Visitors can also create their own works of art and see a performance by the Rags to Riches Theater for Young Audiences.

Jan. 28 – Support Children’s Musical Talents

From 4 to 5:30 p.m., Duke faculty artists at the Duke String School will hold a free recital to support the Dorothy Kitchen Scholarship Fund. Attendees can choose to make a donation of any amount to the fund, which provides up to 75 percent of tuition costs for children and teens who receive lessons in violin, viola, cello and bass. The concert will be held in the Nelson Music Room at the East Duke Building.

Learn more about the Duke String School and how it supports children’s musical talents on the school’s website.

For more Duke events, visit the Duke Events Calendar.