Gainesville Museum Month to Make July a Little Cooler

This summer, when Florida communities typically go into hibernation mode, Gainesville has found a cool way to spark up some fun and inspiration by recognizing July 2022 as
Museum and Cultural Center Month. The city’s recent proclamation recognizes that “Gainesville’s world-renowned museums and cultural centers not only strengthen ties within the community but also bring visitors to Gainesville to strengthen the City’s economy.” In this spirit, some of North Florida’s most prominent museums and institutions will be featuring prizes for museum
visitors throughout July, courtesy of GNV Museums, a collaborative organization that unites local, cultural institutions. Stephanie Bailes, President & CEO of the Cade Museum, has witnessed firsthand the domino effect of positivity and economic gains that Gainesville enjoys from its cultural institutions.
“Gainesville’s museums and other cultural centers strengthen the local economy by bolstering tourism and bringing business to neighboring attractions, restaurants, shops and other businesses,” Bailes added. “It’s a positive ripple effect and win-win for everyone.” Gainesville Museum Month to Make July a Little Cooler Bailes also spoke enthusiastically of GNVMuseums, a local organization comprising the Cade and other Gainesville cultural landmarks. Through regular meetings, she and other representative leaders in GNVMuseums brainstorm collaborations, keep each other in the loop about upcoming events, ask each other for help and advice, and support each other’s programming and exhibits.

Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention:
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention brings out the
inventor in all of us through STEAM-powered exhibits,
experiments, games and creative challenges that appeal to
curious minds of all ages. Continuing the legacy of Gatorade’s
lead inventor, James Robert Cade, the four-year-young
facility partners with community stakeholders to provide
extensive outreach, too.

Cotton Club Museum:
Included in the GNVMuseums collective, the Cotton Club
Museum and Cultural Center fosters an appreciation of
African American history and nurtures creativity through the
arts and educational programming,

Florida Museum of Natural History:
Through exhibitions and hands-on programs, the Florida
Museum of Natural History strives to preserve and share
Florida’s biological diversity and cultural heritage. The museum
uses its expertise to advance knowledge, solve real-world
problems and impact public policy and perception.

Harn Museum of Art:
The Harn Museum of Art uses the power of visual arts to
enrich people’s lives and open conversations about our shared
cultural history and contemporary issues through exhibitions,
collections, scholarship and programming.

Historic Thomas Center:
Built in 1910, the Historic Thomas Center began its tenure in
Gainesville as a Mediterranean Revival-style historic home.
Nowadays, its scenic trappings provide a tranquil setting for
contemporary art exhibits and special events with restored
period rooms and historical exhibits.

Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College:
The Kika Silva Pla Planetarium inspires visitors to reach for the
stars by immersing visitors in state-of-the-art experiences, with
topics ranging from astronomy to ancient cultures,
meteorology, geology and even music videos.

Matheson History Museum:
For a heaping helping of local lore, the Matheson History
Museum preserves and interprets the shared history of
Gainesville and Alachua County through exhibitions and
programs presented at the 1867 Matheson House and three
other historic buildings on the museum property.

A Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center:
Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, located in the home
of influential educator Allen Quinn Jones, offers exhibits and
programs that tell the story of Florida’s educational history and
the Civil Rights Movement.

Gainesville Museums Month is an opportunity for Gainesville residents to catch up with their favorite institutions and finally make it to the places they haven’t visited yet. Visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #GNVMuseums on social media to share their favorite moments from their visits. Gather the gang and beat the heat by experiencing the places that spark those vital connections where “nature and culture meet.”

Funded in part by “July is Gainesville Museum Month”
The more museums you visit, the more chances of winning! Visit these participating cultural centers and scan the QR Code to win weekly prizes.