Ceremonies for the reopening of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art will include a presentation by the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Philippe de Montebello will deliver the two-day event's keynote address after a 6 p.m. reception to the President's Associates and Museum Association members in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom in Oklahoma Memorial Union, according to a press release. His presentation is called "Museums: Why Should We Care?"

"He's a man who believes in standards for museums," said Eric Lee, director of the museum. "He is often outspoken against the commercialization of museums."

De Montebello has served as the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City since 1978, according to the release. He began his career there as a curatorial assistant in 1963. He received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and an advanced degree from New York University's Institute of Fine Arts.

"I think it says a lot for the university and the Museum of Art that someone of such stature would come to give the keynote address," said Lynette Lobban, director of public information and media relations for the museum. "Philippe de Montebello probably doesn't come to every museum opening."

Lee said De Montebello and Vincent Scully, Yale University professor of art history, were OU President David L. Boren's first choices for speakers for the reopening of the museum.

"President Boren wanted to get a great speaker for the opening of the museum," Lee said. "You could not find a better speaker for this kind of event than Philippe de Montebello."

Events celebrating the opening of the new wing of the museum are today and Friday.

There will be a reservation-only luncheon at noon Friday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union ballroom followed by a lecture by Scully.

A public lecture by the architect of the new wing, Hugh Newell Jacobsen, will begin at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Meacham Auditorium of the union.

The museum will open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday. Admission will be free through Sunday and will continue to be free to OU students with a valid OU ID, Museum Association members and children under 6-years-old. Regular admission for all others will be $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and children ages 6 to 17.

For more information on any of the activities related to the reopening of the museum, call the Office of Special Events at 325-3784.
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