Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Photo by Matt Nilsson St. Vincent, a Berklee-based band, performs at College Night at the MFA.

We all know how expensive life as a college student and living in Boston can be, which is why free nights at some of the most interesting places in the city are greatly appreciated. This past Thursday night at the Museum of Fine Arts was College Night, an evening completely devoted to college students with open exhibits, giveaways, live music and more, the museum was swarmed with enormous amounts of local college students who were allowed to enter for free with their school I.D.'s.
Students were able to explore the museum without tour groups or guides and had unlimited access to exhibits that were closed to the general public for the night. Museum-goers could also participate in portrait drawing, a scavenger hunt, and free giveaways for things like an iPhone, a guitar, CD's, and t-shirts that were done every hour.
A screening of "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation" was also given. This showing coincided with one of the newest exhibits to open at the MFA called Art and Empire: Treasures from Assyria. This exhibit displayed military garments, furniture and stone tablets that all originated from the Assyrians who existed from the ninth to seventh centuries B.C.
Perhaps the highlight of the night was the outdoor concerts by St. Vincent that were given at both 7 and 8:45 p.m. St. Vincent is the stage name for Annie Clark, a 25-year-old Berklee alum. With Clark taking the lead and her band behind her, the music that emanated from the stage was absolutely amazing. The indie pop instrumentals along with Clark's eerily soulful and melodic voice combined with striking lyrics made for quite the experience in the MFA's Calderwood Courtyard.
The museum attracted students from all over the city, including Northeastern, Suffolk, Berklee and many more. When asked what attracted them to the MFA that night, a Suffolk University undergrad said that he wanted to be there since he had "never been around here and never been to the MFA." Two Harvard University seniors said that they wanted a change of pace; something that was different from Harvard Square.
When the cost of living in the city starts to add up and begins to overwhelm us, it's nice to find refuge and solace in places that want to give back to college students. The Museum of Fine Arts packed everything into a few hours that would make any college student happy. From music, to art and movies, who wouldn't love a free night at one of Boston's finest institutions?

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