Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a museum? Been curious about what's in those vaults? Ever pondered the secrets of a 100-year-old historic home and what went on in its past? Get ready to answer these questions and more with the return of Behind the Scenes: Exploring Cranbrook's Collections, an extraordinary opportunity to see Cranbrook the way few people have and explore its inner workings. Featuring six programs and lectures that focus on the history and collections of Cranbrook's museums and historic homes, Behind the Scenes will give participants an opportunity to explore Cranbrook from a whole new angle and discover what makes it such a rare cultural gem. Programs include:

Leonard Bernstein at Cranbrook

Cranbrook House Library

February 22 • 2-4pm

Legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein had a relationship with Cranbrook that began in the 1940s. Through performance and lecture, learn about the Maestro's art and the role Cranbrook played in his work and career. Selected works will be performed on the concert grand piano Bernstein used while visiting Cranbrook in 1957. Maximum 60 attendees.

Genius in Bronze: Cranbrook and the Work of Marshall Fredericks

DeSalle Auditorium, Cranbrook Art Museum

March 1 • 4pm

World-renowned sculptor Marshall Fredericks, who gave us "The Spirit of Detroit," got his start as a student at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Learn more about this incredible artist as Marilyn L. Wheaton, director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University, presents an overview of his career and work. Following the lecture, attendees will view Frederick's work from Cranbrook Art Museum’s collection.

A Sneak Peek at the Graduate Degree Exhibition of Cranbrook Academy of Art

Cranbrook Art Museum

April 15 • 7pm

One of Cranbrook Art Museum's most ambitious and anticipated events each year is the annual Graduate Degree Exhibition of Cranbrook Academy of Art, an exhibition in which cars hanging from the ceiling and extensive earthworks on the grounds are not unheard of. Join Academy of Art Director Reed Kroloff and Art Museum Director Gregory Wittkopp for a behind-the-scenes tour of this exhibition before it opens to the public. During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to meet with several of the graduate students to discuss their thesis projects and the inspiration behind them. Maximum 20 attendees.

Cranbrook Gives You the Stars: The Meteorite and Astronomy Collection at Cranbrook Institute of Science

Cranbrook Institute of Science

May 29 • 7:30pm

Cranbrook Institute of Science is one of the top natural history museums in the world, having amassed an extensive collection of meteorites and astronomical instruments. Now is your chance to see this collection up close! Join Institute Director Dr. Michael Stafford and Head of Astronomy Michael Narlock as you handle some of the actual meteorites and visit the observatory to stargaze through the Institute's telescope. The Institute's six-decade history of astronomy and space programming also will be presented in this fascinating look skyward.

A Rose By Any Other Name…Is a Weed: The Invasive Plant Species of Michigan
Cranbrook House
June 13 • 9:30-11:30am
Some of Michigan's finest gardeners practice their trade in the gardens surrounding Cranbrook House. Join them as they demonstrate how to spot invasive plant species that could damage your garden. Learn about identification, seed handling and other aspects of control and mitigation. We may even demonstrate (and let you help with) the removal of the invasive garlic mustard plant. This is a rain or shine event. Maximum 20 attendees.

Frozen in Time: The Fossil Collection at Cranbrook Institute of Science

Cranbrook Institute of Science

July 23 • 7pm

From mastodons to dinosaurs and their eggs, Cranbrook Institute of Science houses a superb collection of fossil remains from Earth's prehistoric past. Institute Geologist John Zawiskie will offer an overview of this remarkable collection and lead a tour through the Institute's fossil preparation lab. A guided tour of the Institute's "Hatching the Past" exhibit also will be included in this event.

Cost for each Behind the Scenes event is $20 per person for members of Cranbrook Art Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science or Cranbrook House and Gardens and $30 for non-members. To register, click here.