10 Reasons Why You Don’t Want to Miss DIVA

DIVA, the exhibit on display at the Denver Art Museum through January 31, 2027, makes it very clear that the word “diva” should not be seen as an insult. It should be a celebration of great talent, presence and impact on culture and history. The exhibit achieves that in some surprising ways. Here, I share 10 personal observations and impressions that may show why DIVA shouldn’t be missed (and why it would be a great thing to take visitors to over the holidays).

Entrance area to DIVA exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the Denver Art Museum. Opening photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough from opening weekend.

10 Reasons Why You Don’t Want to Miss the DIVA Exhibit at the Denver Art Museum

Denver is the exclusive U.S. venue for the DIVA exhibit. It was organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. See more than 250 objects from nearly 100 iconic performers including Josephine Baker, Maria Callas, Dolly Parton, Mae West and Lady Gaga.

1. The exhibit opens with a grand presentation about opera – the original divas, when the word signified a high level of ability. Being an opera fan myself, I really appreciated the attention and space given to the art form which, I hope, will encourage younger generations to give it a go. Afterall, if you love reality shows with high drama, passion and theatrics, well, that’s just opera set to music.
2. There’s a good blend of costumes, props, text and video to engage visitors on a variety of levels.
3. The glory days of film are covered both in all their glamour but also details about how difficult it was, especially for women, including how they had to fight for roles, fight for respect and balance their business sense with their abilities and looks. Be sure to stop a while to watch all of the videos; Mae West delivering her most famous line is just delicious!
4. Don’t let it be lost that an outfit worn by Judy Garland is next to one worn by her mother, Liza Manelli. It’s touching that mother-and-daughter are “together” again in this way.
5. DIVA isn’t just for adults. When I visited, there were a surprising number of kids and they were totally into it. Some might not have been so aware; as it got into music icons area, I saw a woman holding her tiny baby boy in front of one of several outfits worn by Rhianna. The mother told her baby, “I know this doesn’t mean anything to you now, but this is all very important to mommy. And it’s a big deal that you’re seeing this.”

   

6. Taylor Swift fans will appreciate the big splash she gets in a walk-around display with a dress from Confessions of a Showgirl.
7. In the same room as Taylor’s display, be sure to take the quiz about what kind of diva YOU are. It’s fun and may surprise you.
8. The exhibit doesn’t just show female divas – there was an outfit of Elton John’s that gets special placement, an area for Freddie Mercury of Queen and shoes Prince designed especially to be able to handle all of his dancing around on stage. It also presents divas from other countries and explains their important roles in leading social change. Being a DIVA is often about more than fame and flashy outfits. It is about challenging harmful cultural norms and speaking truth to power.
9. Being able to see famous costumes shows just how small some of these people were/are. I would expect it from the early movie stars (people were just smaller then). But Pink, for instance, is much shorter than I ever imagined. And Whitney Houston’s gown from her appearance on an award show was so narrow (I walked around to the side and noted how thin she was). I remember her wearing that gown and it made me sad to think about her life and career cut short so needlessly.
10. Being that close to these clothing items is the nearest most of us will ever come to people we’ve admired, followed and loved for years. And it’s almost enough. It was kind of like having a private conversation with the DIVA’s themselves.

Lady Gaga at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019 in Beverly Hills, CA, wearing a gown designed by Valentino. Courtesy AFF/Alamy.

DIVA is a ticketed and timed exhibit and, for members, it’s just $7 (such a deal). For non-members, it’s higher and varies by date and category (consider becoming a member which can pay for itself rapidly). Admission to DIVA also includes admission to the entire museum so allow time to see as much as you can. Don’t forget to take a spin around the gift shop at the end of the DIVA exhibit (oh, you know they weren’t going to let you out of there without some shopping) and also on the main floor. Museum gift shops have so many great treasures. For more information, visit the Denver Art Museum website.

BONUS: Admission to the Denver Art Museum also includes admission to The Kirkland, a separate museum that is part of the DAM’s campus (they merged in 2024). It’s a fantastic museum, worthy of a couple of hours too.

-By Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, InGoodTasteDenver.com