Summer in the city means more time for families and kids to enjoy the exciting and creative programs offered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Throughout the summer of 2006, the Museum’s Division of Education welcomes kids of all ages to take part in hands-on art activities and tours that spark the imagination. Among the highlights is a family photo day on June 25, when kids create photo collages and crafts while exploring the major exhibition Dreaming in Black and White: Photography at the Julien Levy Gallery. On July 23, visitors witness what life was like in a colonial Pennsylvania village and enjoy traditional craft demonstrations, games, and a performance by Kitty of Kit's Kaboodle Historical Interactive Theater.
Something Every Sunday
The Something Every Sunday program offers imaginative ways for families to explore the galleries and to make art in the Museum’s studios. (Many of these programs are free; while studio sessions are $3 per non-member child and $2 per member child). Museum admission is pay what you wish on Sundays, providing an affordable option for families to spend the day together.
Among the free activities is Drawing Together, which takes family members into the galleries where they create their own works, assisted by a professional artist. Another favorite is Early Bird Read and Look, inviting preschoolers and family to storytelling, followed by a related craft. Tours for Tots offers preschoolers and their parents a tour featuring movement, play, and hands-on activities (free tickets required; available at the Visitor Services Desk). Family Gallery Tours are aimed at kids 6–10 and their parents, to explore themes and discover works of art (free tickets required).
Something Every Sunday Schedule:
Early Bird Read and Look (ages 3–5; 10:15–11 a.m.)
Tours for Tots (preschoolers; 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.)
Drawing Together (all ages)
Family Gallery Tour (ages 6 to 10; 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. except where noted)
Special Family Events
Special Family Events are designed around a theme to highlight different artistic heritages through performances and hands-on activities at family-friendly prices. Museum teachers assist children in hands-on crafts that complement the performance.
Point, Click, Shoot! Family Photo Day
Sunday, June 25, 2006, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Kids and families can discover the remarkable world of photography while exploring the exhibition Dreaming in Black and White: Photography at the Julien Levy Gallery. Photographers will demonstrate the techniques of digital manipulation and photo transfer and explain how photography has changed over the years, showing off what are now called “vintage cameras.” Kids will create photo collages and other photo inspired crafts in a Make and Take workshop, then learn about the Museum’s amazing photography collection during a Family Gallery Tour. They can top off the day by creating sketches from photographs during Drawing Together.
Schedule:
Colonial America!
Sunday, July 23, 2006, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
This fun-filled family day of colonial activities includes a performance by Kitty from Kit's Kaboodle Historical Interactive Theater, who will re-live a day in the life of a Pennsylvania colonial village. The audience will participate as she does her chores, plays games and visits a local fair. Kids can visit the Make and Take workshop to create traditional crafts, take a Family Tour of the American Collections and sketch in the Museum’s colonial galleries during Drawing Together. Local artisans will demonstrate the Colonial crafts of spinning, weaving, woodworking and felting!
Schedule:
Any Day, Any Time
Visitors will find fun activities developed for kids and families any day they visit the Museum, any time of year. Audio guides feature the American Art Kids Tour, an interactive audio guide written especially for children 6–10. The audio tour rents for $5 and is available at the Visitor Services Desks in the West and East Entrances. Free, self-guided family tours focusing on collection highlights such as African American Artists and Arms and Armor are available at the West Information Desk. For a full schedule, visit the website at www.philamuseum.org/education or call for a brochure at (215) 684-7580.
