Creating Community Engagement
Every first and third Friday of the month, the High Museum of Art invites the Atlanta community to join its evening festivities. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests can enjoy late-night music surrounded by world-class art.
High Museum’s Friday programming, HIGH Frequency Friday and Friday Jazz, garners thousands of guests per event. These Fridays provide the community with a break from the traditional museum experience.
Yadira Padilla, High Museum’s Associate Manager of Public Engagement, said their Friday programming is successful because of community input.
“We’re always rethinking our guest experience,” said Padilla.
A big part of the evening Friday programming is Atlanta’s creative scene. Each HIGH Frequency Friday and Friday Jazz features local musicians, DJs, and performers. According to its site, the High Museum collaborates with Karl Injex, Ree de la Vega, and Next Level Events to identify DJs who may be new to the scene or Atlanta favorites.
During both HIGH Frequency Friday and Jazz Friday, guests can partake in music on the first floor or enjoy art on the upper levels.
“I think it’s important for institutions, like ourselves, to give a platform to up-and-coming creatives,” said Padilla.
HIGH Frequency Friday
HIGH Frequency Friday started in 2016 as First Friday. During this time, there was a small attendance up until the rebrand in 2019. Along with a new name, HIGH Frequency Friday focused more on creating a high-energy vibe for its guests.
Before the pandemic in March 2020, HIGH Frequency Friday saw a record attendance of 1,300 guests. Post-COVID, attendance rebounded, reaching 5,000 by 2023. To enhance the guest experience, the High Museum now caps attendance at around 3,000, with up to 3,500 during the summer.
HIGH Frequency Friday attracts a social crowd aged 20-40 years old, where guests dance the night away and pause to appreciate the art.
“That great thing about this program…is that the DJs are always changing,” said Padilla. “We’re always highlighting different DJs.”
Friday Jazz
Friday Jazz is held every third Friday of the month with the next programming taking place tonight January 17, 2025. Tonight’s featured Jazz guest is Brenda Nicole Moorer. According to its site, Moorer is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Atlanta. She’s played in the Atlanta Jazz Festival four times and has won the South Art’s Jazz Roads Grant and the New Music USA Emerging Artist award, among other accolades.
To keep up with providing live jazz, High Museum’s Public Programs team collaborates with Atlanta’s Jazz radio station WCLK.
Launched in the 1990s, Friday Jazz began as an initiative to bring musicians into the gallery. It has since expanded to feature performances in the Robinson Atrium and Orkin Terrace.
Friday Jazz showcases leading jazz musicians from Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Along with live Jazz music, guests can partake in HIGHlights tours to get an exclusive tour of the museum.
Friday Jazz has traditionally attracted an older crowd but has recently begun drawing a younger audience. Padilla describes Friday Jazz as a “bit more of a formal evening date night.”
Beyond Friday programming, the High Museum offers workshops, private events, and community resources, inviting everyone to explore its offerings.
“No matter their level of interest in art or museums…you will find something that will pique your interest,” said Padilla.
How to Be A Part of Friday Programming
Atlanta and surrounding area DJs and musicians can submit to be part of HIGH Frequency Friday and Friday Jazz here.
