MDN File Photo The Taube Museum of Art to mark 55 years with a block party in downtown MInot on Aug. 9.

The Taube Museum of Art is inviting the public to attend its festive block-party celebration, The Main Event, to mark the museum’s 55th anniversary. The event takes place at Central and Main Street in Minot on Aug. 9, from 2-8 p.m.

“We’re grateful to reach this milestone with the support of our community. The Main Event is our way of saying thank you and paying it forward through the arts,” Executive Director Rachel Alfaro said.

The event will feature live performances by Blue House Group, Melissa Spelchen, A Guy and a Girl, comedian Kyle Erikson, DJ Amadis Amaya and others, according to information from the Taube. There will be food and beverages and live demonstrations by artists. The Taube stated the event will have a family-friendly atmosphere, with activities for all ages, and children ages 12 and younger will be admitted free. All proceeds support the museum’s mission and programming.

Established in 1970 as the Minot Art Gallery by the Minot Art Association, the organization secured its permanent home in 1997, relocating to the beautifully restored Union National Bank building at 2 North Main Street in downtown Minot. Named in honor of Lillian and Coleman Taube, the museum serves as a public nonprofit, membership-driven institution dedicated to enriching lives through the visual arts.

The museum operates four gallery spaces and an “Artist In Residence” space featuring rotating exhibitions of local, regional, national and international artists. Admission is always free, with donations accepted. The museum also houses the world’s largest collection of artist sketchbooks, gifted in 2023 from The Sketchbook Project — about 28,000 books from 100 countries that are part of the museum’s permanent display and available for visitors to handle and explore.

In addition to exhibitions, the Taube offers educational programs, art classes for adults and children, the Gallery on Wheels school outreach initiative, summer camps and public art projects in partnership with local schools and organizations.