University Programs
Being a university-based art museum, the students of Southern Utah University are the museum's primary audience. SUMA offers a wide range of programs for the university, including student internships, special student events, and more. Students are invited to engage in activities such as the Art Insights lecture series and new programs like SUMA Happenings and Art Adventures. All of the programs are offered free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Have an idea for a program or event? Contact us at experiencesuma@suu.edu!
Day of the Dead Celebration
Saturday, November 2, 2—6 p.m.
Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts
After last year’s success, the community is invited to celebrate Day of the Dead around the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts! Participants can expect a variety of hands-on activities, face painting, storytelling, live performances including Ballet Folklórico, and much more. Vendors will provide traditional foods including street tacos, pan de muerto, and atole. In connection with the cultural celebration, juried artwork inspired by Monarch butterflies will be on display in the Rocki Alice Gallery from October 14 through November 9.
This event is free and open to the public through collaboration with Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History, SUU Art and Design, SUU Center for Diversity and Inclusion, SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, SUU Languages & Philosophy, SUU Latino Student Association, SUU Student Programming Board, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and SUU Alumni and Community Relations.
SUMA Happenings: Party Like It's 1869!
Thursday, November 14, 6 p.m.
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike at SUMA by exploring A World Transformed: The Transcontinental Railroad and Utah and transporting yourself to 1869. Attendees can expect a hands-on activity to discover photography techniques used to capture the historic event, as well as live music and storytelling inspired by life on the railroad. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and exclusively for current SUU students.
A Very SUMA Holiday: Study Break at SUMA
Monday, December 9, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Take a break from your studies to relax at SUMA! We’ll have chair massages, Yoga at 11:00 and 3:00, and short films and popcorn in our classroom. Choose Your Own Adventure Tours will also be offered in the gallery. Join us in our classroom for free sandwiches at lunch and free pizza for dinner! Students get a 20% off discount in the SUMA Shop on Study Day!
A Very SUMA Holiday: Winter Solstice Celebration
Friday, December 20, 4 - 7 p.m.
Join us in a community celebration of the shortest day of the year with a late night at SUMA! We’ll have activities for all ages in the classroom and gallery, light refreshments, live music performances, and storytelling! Our SUMA Shop merchandise will also be 25% off during this event.
SUMA Sidekicks
SUMA Sidekicks is a FREE membership program for students of Southern Utah University with opportunities to earn rewards! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4…
- Sign Up
- Do Stuff
- Collect Punches
- Get Rewarded
STEP 1: SIGN UP
Sign up to be a SUMA Sidekick, a FREE membership, in person at SUMA or online. Members will receive a new Sidekick punch card each academic year for opportunities to win new prizes!
STEP 2: DO STUFF
View art in the galleries, participate in programs, or follow us on social media, all of which earn you punches. 
STEP 3: COLLECT PUNCHES
Collect punches by showing your punch card to a SUMA employee during these opportunities:
- Drop-in visits to SUMA to see new exhibitions or return to see your favorite exhibitions (unlimited punches)
- Bring a friend to SUMA or a program (one punch)
- Follow us on Instagram (one punch)
- Like us on Facebook (one punch)
- Attend a SUMA-sponsored event listed in our Calendar of Events (one punch per event/program)
- Respond to a survey (bonus one-time punch)
- Refer a friend to SUMA Sidekicks (unlimited punches)
STEP 4: GET REWARDED
Redeem your punches for special merchandise only available to SUMA Sidekicks. Full punch cards may be redeemed for a special event at the end of the academic year. For the 2019-20 academic year, prizes include the following:
- 2 punches = SUMA water bottle
- 4 punches = SUMA Sidekicks sticker sheet
- 6 punches = SUMA notebook
- 8 punches = SUMA tote bag
- 10 punches = Friends of SUMA Membership
You must be a current student at Southern Utah University to join SUMA Sidekicks. Features of the program are subject to change. There is no financial obligation to join. By joining, you will automatically be added to the museum's monthly eNewsletter.