Free First Thursday: Earth Day

Free First Thursday returns on April 2, 2026, and the Montclair Art Museum invites visitors to celebrate Earth Day with an evening of live music, hands-on artmaking, gallery experiences, and community activities throughout the Museum.

MAM invites Free First Thursday visitors to bring non-perishable or canned items to donate to the local organization Toni's Kitchen. A drop box will be at the Toni's Kitchen Info Table in Leir Hall.

Admission is FREE, but registration is required- reserve your FREE ticket in advance. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including a cash bar, the Mozzarepas food truck, and treats from the Cornerstone Café.

PROGRAM 

Music
Leir Hall  |  5–9 p.m.
Surf music by NJ's own King Jellyfish

Art Exhibit
Gallery Space / Cornerstone Café  |  5–9 p.m.
Juried Exhibit by Passaic County Community College

MAM Learning Lab
Learning Lab, 3rd Floor  |  5:30–8:30 p.m.
Explore art materials through a self-guided activity for kids of all ages and their families. Art supplies provided.

Art Activity: Recycled Art Project
Geyer Studio  |  5:30–8:30 p.m.
Create recycled art with MAM Educator Kristian Battell

Community Tables
Leir Hall  |  5:30–8:30 p.m.
Participants include Passaic County Community College (Admissions, Fine and Performing Arts, Welding, Environmental Sustainability), Toni's Kitchen, Urban Agriculture Cooperative (UAC), and the Garden Club of Montclair with information on Pollinator Pathways and Bee City projects.

Docent Gallery Tour
Meet at Cornerstone Café  |  6:30 p.m.
Tour of See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection

Welcome and Introductions
Leir Hall  |  6:45 p.m.
Todd Caissie, MAM Interim Director, and Elizabeth Marinace, Dean of Strategic Initiatives & Policy Management at Passaic County Community College

Performance
Leir Hall  |  7–8 p.m.
Passaic County Community College Music Department presents music (guitar, piano, percussion) and spoken word performance

Gallery Tour and Artist Talk
Meet at Cornerstone Café  |  7:30 p.m.
Artist Misha Japanwala will discuss her ceramic work currently included in MAM's exhibition See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection

Eat and Drink

• Cash (and credit) bar with MAM specialty cocktail + other beverages
• Mozzarepas Food Truck at MAM’s side entrance
• Cornerstone Café offers hot coffee and tasty treats

Free First Thursdays at MAM are a once-a-month party at the Museum made possible by the generous support of TD Bank! Enjoy free general admission, activities, food trucks, a cash bar, and so much more!