King Tut filling the house at Denver Art Museum.

• Author: Cote, Maria
• Position: TOURISM

Some would say that a mere exhibit at a museum would never draw crowds into a city. To that, Cathey McClain Finlon, president of the Denver Art Museum, would simply say, "Tut, Tut."

The Denver Art Museum's "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs," is drawing those crowds by the thousands, not only from Colorado, but from around the country.

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"Our objectives are being exceeded," Finlon says. "We're getting tourists flying into the region. And people from every walk of life--moms, grandmas, children--are loving it."

The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 9, 2011, features more than 100 treasures from ancient Egypt. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibit will go toward a new museum in Cairo, as well as antiquities preservation and conservation in Egypt.

Artifacts from temples and tombs have been drawing the masses since the exhibit opened on June 29, Finlon says. It was organized by the National Geographic Society, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions.

"I went through it first with my husband, and it just gives you goose bumps," Finlon says. "There you are looking at artifacts that are thousands of years old and often perfectly preserved."

Partnering with Visit Denver, King Soopers and several hotels has ensured that the exhibition will stay strong through the year.

Rich Grant, director of communications...