Middle School Open House – A Day for Deep Thinkers

Middle School Open House – A Day for Deep Thinkers is a free, interactive community program created in connection with the special exhibition, Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers and organized in partnership with Fort Worth Independent School District. The program invites middle school students into a space for exploration, creativity, and self-expression, reflecting the importance of this formative age in Johnson’s life.

This free event is from 10 am–5 pm.

Stage Events - Throughout the run of the special exhibition Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers, a site-specific stage located in front of the Modern’s auditorium will host both programmed performances and spontaneous activations. An artwork in its own right, Stage, 2026, features a powder-coated steel surface bearing Johnson’s signature marks, scratched and branded into the metal, aging and burnishing over time. This platform, where others can express themselves, emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between artist and audience, a central motif in the artist’s practice.

Inspired by Johnson’s early memories of dancing and performing with friends atop Carl Andre’s Post-Minimalist floor works at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Stage is a testament to Johnson’s commitment to creating space for others. More than an invitation to engage and interact, the work fosters artistic endeavors and creativity as a collective experience.