University Open House

• Explore how mandalas are used as tools for insight, mindfulness, and transformation, in Tibetan Buddhist traditions and across academic disciplines.
• Meet Tibetan Buddhist monks from Namdroling Monastery, India, and watch as they create a sand mandala in the Museum’s Education Center.
• Learn how mandalas have been used to teach mathematics to Baruch College students.
• Discuss the Rubin Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and ways to build curricular connections with Rubin Museum educators.
• Explore ways that museums and colleges have partnered to create exciting curricular connections.
• Take a gallery tour to learn more about mandalas and the Museum’s special exhibitions.

Program Schedule

All programs take place in the Rubin Museum’s Education Center, 132 West 17th St., unless otherwise indicated.

9:30 AM: Meet & Greet fellow educators.

10:00 AM: Museums and University Partnerships: Educating the Whole Person, a talk by Stan Altman, Professor School of Public Affairs and former interim President and Dean, Baruch College/CUNY. Dr. Altman will discuss the importance of integrating the arts as part of an interdisciplinary education.

10:45 AM: Break

11:00 AM: Gateways to the Palace of Symmetry: Exploring Mathematics Through the Mandala, a talk by Laurence Kirby, Professor of Mathematics, Baruch College. Dr. Kirby will discuss a mathematics course he created with mandala motifs from the Rubin Museum collection.

12:00 PM: Session 1- Q&A with Namdroling monks led by Tashi Chodron, Rubin Museum Educator and host of Himalayan Heritage Meet Up. Guests will explore how sand mandalas are used as tools for meditation and transformation in Tibetan Buddhism.

12:30 PM: Mandala tour- Rubin Museum galleries. Tour starts in the Musem’s Spiral Lobby.

1:30 PM: Lunch break (lunch not provided)

2:30 PM: Creating Curricular Connections with the Rubin Museum, led by Laura Lombard, Head of Adult and Academic Programs, Rubin Museum. Learn how to develop course curricula inspired by the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions.

3:15 PM: Break

3:30 PM: Session 2- Q&A with Namdroling monks led by Tashi Chodron, Rubin Museum Educator and host of Himalayan Heritage Meet Up. Guests will explore how sand mandalas are used as tools for meditation and transformation in Tibetan Buddhism.

4:00 PM: Special exhibitions tour, Francesco Clemente: Inspired by India ““ Rubin Museum Galleries. Tour starts in the Museum’s Spiral Lobby

To RSVP please email or call 212-620-5000 ext. 337.