King Tut Exhibition Makes its Denver Debut

Tell a Friend

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs Opens June 29, 2010

The Denver Art Museum’s (DAM) highly anticipated summer exhibition, Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, opens to the public June 29, 2010 and runs through Jan. 9, 2011. Featuring more than 100 treasures from the tomb of King Tut and additional ancient sites, the exhibition will make its debut and sole Rocky Mountain appearance at the DAM.

The exhibition is organized by the National Geographic Society, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Northern Trust is a proud cultural partner of the exhibition, and American Airlines is the official airline. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will go toward antiquities preservation and conservation efforts in Egypt, including the construction of a new grand museum in Cairo.

“This is the culmination of months of preparation to welcome King Tut’s treasures here in Denver, and display some of the most exquisite art objects from ancient Egypt,” said Christoph Heinrich, director of the DAM. “The Museum’s expanded campus, complete with large exhibition galleries in the new Hamilton Building, provides the facilities to offer the community a wide variety of art experiences, and we are thrilled to be hosting this important King Tut exhibition.”

Visitors will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view more than 50 breathtaking objects from King Tut’s tomb, including the golden sandals that adorned the mummy and an intricate canopic jar that held the pharaoh’s mummified stomach.

 “Tutankhamun’s magic still captures the hearts of people all over the world, even though more than 85 years have passed since the discovery of his amazing tomb,” said Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

About the Exhibition

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs features striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2,600 B.C. to 660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, many of these artifacts had never before visited the United States prior to this exhibition tour.

This spectacular collection features the largest image of King Tut ever unearthed – a 10-foot statue of the pharaoh found at the remains of the funerary temple of two of his high officials. The statue still retains much of its original paint. The exhibition follows a storyline that explores the splendor of the pharaohs, their function in both the earthly and divine worlds and what “kingship” meant to the Egyptian people. Visitors encounter artifacts from powerful Egyptian rulers, including Khafre, builder of the Great Sphinx and one of the pyramids at Giza; Hatshepsut, the queen who became a pharaoh; and Psusennes I, whose magnificent golden death mask will be on display.

The DAM has dedicated two expansive Hamilton Building gallery spaces to the exhibition. The dramatic experience begins with a short National Geographic documentary narrated by award-winning actor Harrison Ford, continuing in spaces exploring some of the most important pharaohs throughout ancient Egyptian history. The final galleries are dedicated to King Tut’s tomb, including an area devoted to its discovery by British explorer Howard Carter in 1922. Visitors encounter legendary artifacts from the tomb’s antechamber, annex, treasury and burial chamber in corresponding galleries, which include the pharaoh’s golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry and statuary.

 “Denver has a history of embracing exhibitions surrounding ancient Egypt. This is the first time treasures from the tomb of King Tut, the most celebrated pharaoh of all, have visited Denver, bringing with them a whole new level of excitement and opportunity to learn about this enthralling era,” said John Norman, president of Arts and Exhibitions International.

New scientific discoveries providing insight into King Tut’s legendary life and death are also brought to light. The exhibition features the first 3-D CT scans of the great king’s mummy, which were obtained as part of a landmark Egyptian research and conservation project, partially funded by the National Geographic Society.

 “Egypt’s ancient treasures are among the world’s greatest cultural legacies,” said Terry Garcia, executive vice president, National Geographic Society. “Even with the great wealth of research that already exists, new technologies continue to open up the past in ways never imagined. Visitors to this exhibition will not only see stunning artifacts spanning 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, but they will also learn more about the life and death of Tutankhamun through CT scans conducted on his mummy.”

Northern Trust is a proud cultural partner of the exhibition tour, and American Airlines is the official airline.

“For 120 years, Northern Trust has recognized the value of providing our communities with enriching cultural and educational experiences, such as this exhibition on invaluable treasures from ancient Egypt,” said Northern Trust Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Frederick H. Waddell. “We are privileged to support an event that brings to Denver unique insights into our shared human history.”

 “American Airlines is thrilled to have a role in bringing this exhibit to Denver,” said Dan Garton, executive vice president of marketing for American Airlines. “We realize that access to global transportation is an important component of making this exhibit a reality and it is exciting to know that American Airlines will be helping to make it possible for this remarkable exhibit to be seen by visitors in Denver and the entire western region of the country.”

National Geographic Books publishes the companion book to the exhibition, written by Zahi Hawass. Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs is one of two National Geographic exhibitions dedicated to the remarkable treasures of Tutankhamun and ancient Egyptian royalty.

Ticket Information

DAM membership is the golden ticket to the best King Tut ticket price, with the added value of a year’s worth of art experiences. For more information on becoming a museum member, please visit www.denverartmuseum.org/membership. Ticket pricing for King Tut and additional experiences are listed below. Each timed and dated exhibition ticket includes general admission to see the entire museum complex on that day.

Every ticket buyer will be entitled to receive a “King Tut Gold Card” at the welcome desk, which provides special offers at partnering businesses throughout Denver, including food discounts, free gifts with purchase and other special offers and incentives. A complete list of offers and discounts can be found at www.tutgoldcard.com.

* Weekend rates apply Friday–Sunday and holidays. Free First Saturdays provide general admission only, and do not include admission to King Tut.

How to Buy Tickets – Members and General Public

DAM members may purchase King Tut exhibition tickets at www.denverartmuseum.org or by calling 720-865-5000.

The general public may purchase tickets online at www.tutdenver.com, where exhibition information, driving and parking instructions and Denver travel details are also available. All exhibition tickets are timed and dated for a specific entry time, and are non-refundable. King Tut visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets in advance online and arrive 30 minutes prior to their entry time. Those wishing to purchase by phone or in person may do so on site at the DAM or at participating Ticketmaster (877-888-8587) and TicketHorse (866-461-6556) locations.

VIP Exhibition Tickets/Hotel Partners

Six Denver partner hotels are offering exclusive King Tut packages that will include accommodations and untimed, undated, front-of-the-line VIP exhibition tickets. The Brown Palace, The Curtis, The Grand Hyatt Denver, the Hyatt Regency Denver, the Sheraton Denver Downtown and the Westin Tabor Center are each offering spectacular hotel packages. Purchasing a hotel package is the only way to get these VIP tickets. For specific hotel package information, ticketing information and exhibition details, visit www.tutdenver.com.

Group Ticketing and Events

Convention, business, church, school or leisure groups of 10 or more people can receive group rates by contacting the Group Sales Team at 1-877-5-GO2TUT. Best discounts are for groups that book during weekday times. Make it a party and add a cocktail reception or dining experience in one of the museum’s unique and unforgettable event spaces, paired with artfully tailored cuisine by Kevin Taylor Catering at the Denver Art Museum. For more information on adding an event or reception, please contact tutgroups@denverartmuseum.org or 720-865-5171.

Exhibition Extras

Can’t get enough of King Tut? DAM visitors will have the opportunity to add the 3-D film, Egypt 3D: Secrets of the Mummies to their exhibition visit – or any visit. The 30-minute feature follows researchers and explorers as they piece together the archeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies. These relics of the past create a window into the fascinating and mysterious world of the pharaohs. In addition to increasing our understanding of the culture, religion, medicine and daily life thousands of years ago, scientists today are reconstructing mummy DNA and deciphering ancient texts to gain insight into modern human genetics and advance medical treatments.

Exhibition visitors may expand their Egyptian experience with the King Tut audio tour narrated by award-winning actor Harrison Ford. Audio tour and 3-D film tickets may be purchased by members and the general public at the time of ticket purchase or on site.

Adult and Family Programming

Programming surrounding the exhibition will feature family-friendly activities and spaces to engage museum visitors of all ages. In Just for Fun Egypt, located in Duncan Pavilion, kids can try on costumes to become Egyptian royalty or design an Egyptian collar. Families can enjoy a snack, take in the view from the outdoor patio, relax and play. Two Create Playdates for kids ages 3 to 5 and their grownups – MEOW in September and SHINE in November – will feature drop-in fun and story time in the gallery with an Egyptian art theme. For more on children’s and family programs at the DAM, visit www.denverartmuseum.org/kids.

Adult programs will include lectures by some of the foremost scholars of Egyptian art and artifacts, as well as a Conversation Lounge series focusing on the five senses of King Tut. On Friday, August 27, join the DAM for Untutled #32 (Tut). During these popular Final Friday events, the museum feels less like a field trip and more like a night out with live music, cash bar and a dose of the unexpected. For more on adult programs at DAM, please visit www.denverartmuseum.org/adultprograms.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,200 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Arts and Exhibitions International

Founded in 2003 by President John Norman and international vice president Andres Numhauser, AEI produces the award-winning exhibition Diana: A Celebration in association with the Althorp Estate in the United Kingdom, two touring exhibitions dedicated to the treasures of King Tutankhamun and Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. Norman and Numhauser have nearly 40 years combined experience in the entertainment and exhibition business, working over the years on such projects as Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit and Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes. The company has relationships with the most important museums in the world and has presented traveling exhibitions on four continents. AEI is an affiliate division of AEG LIVE. AEG LIVE is the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. For more information, visit www.artsandexhibitions.com.

About the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is a private, non-profit, educational resource for Colorado.  The mission of the museum is to enrich the lives of Colorado and Rocky Mountain residents through the acquisition, preservation and presentation of art works in both the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, and by supporting these works with exemplary educational and scholarly programs. The museum is located on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Streets in downtown Denver. Open Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. Free First Saturdays are sponsored by Target, and made possible by the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. The Cultural Complex Garage is open; enter from 12th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock or check the DAM websites for up-to-date parking information. For information in Spanish, call 720-913-0169. For more information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 U.S. states and 16 international locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of March 31, 2010, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$3.7 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$647.3 billion. For 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com.

# # #