Philadelphia Museum of Art - Information : Press Room : Press Releases : 2001

December 11th, 2001

Classes, Games, Storytelling & Performances Introduce Children to the World of Art at Museum

From January 6, 2002 through April 28, 2002, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Department of Education presents a season of vibrant performances, classes, and activities fostering an enriching and entertaining art experience for families and children.

Encouraging observation skills and creative thinking, weekly art classes for preschoolers ages 3-5 and children ages 6-8 and 9-12 are offered at the Museum, for a ten-week term, beginning the last week of January. Open registration for classes is Thursday, January 17, 2002 from 5:15-6:30 p.m. in the West Lobby of the Museum. Phone registration (215/ 235-SHOW) will begin Friday, January 18, 2002. For additional information about enrolling in children’s art classes call 215/ 684-7605.

The Museum’s Something Every Sunday family programs feature craft workshops, tours, games, and storytelling throughout the galleries that stimulate parents and children of all ages to engage with works of art and each other. Children are invited to get a Family Program Passport stamped every time they participate in a Sunday family program and receive a surprise gift on their 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th visits.

Upcoming special family events held on Sundays celebrate a variety of artistic traditions with nationally recognized performers. Highlights this season include Celebrate: The Performing Arts with musician Billy Jonas playing instruments made from recycled objects (free, January 27); Celebrate: Famous Painters with clown and comedian Jim Jackson portraying Art Guffaw, a hapless house painter delighting audiences with puppetry, juggling, giant bubbles and jokes (March 3); Celebrate: Africa with the high energy Akyene Baako Ensemble weaving together a musical tapestry of African songs (March 17); and Celebrate: The Caribbean with master cuatro player and recording artist José Gonzalez introducing families to the lively spirit of classical Caribbean music, folksongs, and original compositions (April 21).

Many of the programs are free with Museum admission (Adult admission is $10 Tuesday through Saturday and pay what you wish on Sundays; Children 12 years old and younger are free). Family programs that include a studio session are $3 for children, $2 for Member’s children. Parents attend all regular programs free. Special family event performances are $5 per person, $3 for Members. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the program in the West Lobby.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest museums in the United States, with a collection of more than 227,000 works of art and more than 200 galleries presenting painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, decorative arts, textiles, and architectural settings from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Its facilities include its landmark Main Building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Perelman Building, located nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Rodin Museum on the 2200 block of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and two 18th-century houses in Fairmount Park, Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove. The Museum offers a wide variety of activities for public audiences, including special exhibitions, programs for children and families, lectures, concerts and films.

For additional information, contact the Marketing and Communications Department of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at (215) 684-7860. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street. For general information, call (215) 763-8100, or visit the Museum's website at www.philamuseum.org.