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A one-hour docent-led tour traces the changing meaning of “diva” through performers, costumes and personal objects. Members need a DIVA exhibition ticket and a separate $5 tour fee; some membership levels include exhibition admission.
All times are local to the venue · America/Denver
DIVA’s exhibition guide connects an 1850 porcelain bust of Juno with an 1869 marble bust of opera singer Adelina Patti, setting classical goddess imagery beside the public elevation of a performer. The Sunday docent tour takes up that longer history of the word “diva” and how artists have shaped its meaning.
The term comes from the Latin for “goddess” and came into use in the 1800s for exceptional female opera singers. The exhibition guide describes French writer and critic Théophile Gautier using the word for singers whose talent seemed to place them above the ordinary. Representations of classical goddesses, including the Juno bust, helped give performers a similar aura.
DIVA follows how the label has shifted from praise to criticism and, for some performers, a name to reclaim. Its two acts put earlier figures who helped establish the tradition alongside contemporary artists who embrace the identity in their own ways.
Further reading: DIVA Guide | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗
The exhibition spans opera, dance, theater, film and popular music. Its nearly 100 performers include Josephine Baker, Sarah Bernhardt and Maria Callas, as well as Cher, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, Prince, Rihanna and Taylor Swift. Denver’s presentation does not try to set one final definition of a diva; an interactive section invites visitors to consider which performers excite them.
About 250 objects, including 58 costumes, give that discussion a material dimension. Tina Turner’s 1978 Flame Dress, designed by Bob Mackie, and a Rihanna look for the 2018 Met Gala, designed by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, show how stage clothing and fashion can contribute to a performer’s public image. The exhibition considers how performance and dress can help artists claim visibility and shape culture.
Further reading: DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
The Sunday tour is a one-hour docent-led exploration of performer stories, costumes, personal belongings and memorabilia. The listing does not specify a fixed route, so the named works here are exhibition context rather than guaranteed tour stops.
The tour fee does not include DIVA’s musical audio guide. The exhibition ticket includes headphones with musical accompaniment; visitors who find the headphones inaccessible or uncomfortable can use the museum’s Spotify playlist on a personal device. The museum recommends about an hour and a half to see the exhibition, so visitors hoping to explore beyond the tour should leave extra time.
Further reading: DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
The Sunday series runs October 11, 2026, through January 17, 2027, with starts at 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m. Each tour lasts one hour. DIVA itself remains on view through January 31, 2027.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗
These tours are for museum members and are limited to the named cardholders on a membership; a guest pass does not qualify a nonmember for a member-only event. The tour costs $5, and a DIVA exhibition ticket is also required. A member DIVA ticket is normally $7 and includes general admission to the museum. Family Plus, Contributing, Supporting and Enthusiast memberships list a limited number of free admissions to ticketed exhibitions; check your membership benefits to see whether one applies. The separate tour fee still applies.
Advance reservations are recommended. DIVA uses timed entry: visitors cannot enter the exhibition before the time on their ticket and should arrive no later than 10 minutes after it.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Membership | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
Large bags are not allowed in the galleries. Any bag worn on the back must be stored, regardless of size. Free lockers are available in the Hamilton and Martin buildings.
Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
The museum can be reached by RTD and light rail. The Free MallRide stops at Cleveland Place; the museum’s directions recommend walking south through Civic Center Park from there.
Directions and Parking | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Accessibility at Denver Art Museum | Parking, Mobility & More ↗
Street and metered parking and several lots are within walking distance. The Cultural Center Complex Garage is at 12th Avenue and Broadway and is operated by Denver Public Works, not the museum. Accessible parking is available on the garage’s second level and on 13th Avenue south of Broadway. Drop-off and pick-up for older visitors and people with disabilities is available on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock.
Directions and Parking | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Accessibility at Denver Art Museum | Parking, Mobility & More ↗
The tour meets on Level 2 of the Hamilton Building at 100 W 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204. The museum identifies the Hamilton entrance, on the south side of 13th Avenue, as a convenient entry point. Visitors may also enter through the Sie Welcome Center, connected to the Hamilton Building by a bridge over 13th Avenue. Check in at the visitor services desk for an admission sticker.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
The museum says its public areas are wheelchair accessible and elevators are available throughout. Standard manual wheelchairs are free to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis at the Hamilton and Martin building welcome centers; portable stools are available in the museum. Free ASL interpretation and CART captioning can be requested for museum programs with five business days’ notice by emailing [email protected].
Accessibility at Denver Art Museum | Parking, Mobility & More ↗
Bike racks are available on the museum plaza.
Directions and Parking | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Accessibility at Denver Art Museum | Parking, Mobility & More ↗
No. The tour is members-only, and member-only events are limited to the named cardholders on the membership. Guest passes do not confer eligibility.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Membership | Denver Art Museum ↗
The tour fee is $5, and a DIVA exhibition ticket is also required. Member tickets are normally $7; some membership levels include a limited number of exhibition admissions. The tour fee remains separate.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Denver Art Museum ↗ · DIVA | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Membership | Denver Art Museum ↗
No. The tour fee does not cover it. The exhibition ticket includes headphones with musical accompaniment, and the museum offers a Spotify playlist for visitors who prefer not to use the headphones.
DIVA Member Tours (Sundays) | Denver Art Museum ↗ · Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
Large bags are not allowed in the galleries, and any bag worn on the back must be stored regardless of size. Free lockers are available in the Hamilton and Martin buildings.
Plan Your Visit to DIVA | Exclusively at the Denver Art Museum | Denver Art Museum ↗
100 W 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-01 against the linked sources.