Taking place internationally on March 9
Mark it on your calendars, folks. The ninth day of the third month of the year is "Thank You Art" day. Artist Yoshiaki Kaihatsu started "39art Day" (www.39art.com) eight years ago to encourage people to consider the place art has in their lives (3-9 in Japanese, san-kyu, sounds like "Thank you"). It was also a way for the gallery/museum scene to reach out to the public at large. How one participates is up to them: Discounts on artwork and entrance fees are common, as are extended hours, free lectures, museum tours and complimentary refreshments.
A handful of local participants has blossomed into over 150 locations in Europe, the Americas and Japan. Gallery participation dipped this year because March 9 falls on a Sunday, gallerists' usual day of rest, but museum participation is up, and many others are simply interpreting the date loosely.