Visiting with Children
The Dr. Kenneth Germeshausen Art ExperienCenter
The Dr. Kenneth Germeshausen Art ExperienCenter, located on the 4th floor, offers visitors a comfortable environment within which to explore. The gallery was recently transformed by artist Nadya Volicer into a brand-new, interactive art installation titled Brain Storm. (You may remember another piece by Volicer called Home Spun from The 2005 DeCordova Annual). Brain Storm invites and encourages families and visitors to explore a world of recycled beauty. For questions and a list of upcoming programs related to the space, contact Lynn Thomson, lthomson@decordova.org
NEW! Story Hour for Families
Join story teller, Sally Kindleberger, as she tells tales in the Dr. Kenneth Germeshausen Art ExperienCenter. We will then move to the DeNormandie Library for snacks and an art activity. This drop-in program has been designed in conjunction with the Lincoln Library. It is perfect for families with children ages 3 - 6 and is free with museum admission. Reservations not required, but recommended at 781-259-3604 or edassistant@decordova.org.
January 30, 10 – 11 am
February 20, 10 – 11 am
March 20, 10 – 11 am
April 3, 10 – 11 am
Detail of installation titled Brain Storm by Nadya Volicer, 2009
Tips for Visiting DeCordova Museum with Children
-
Before leaving the house, prepare the children for the visit. Tell them the overall plan for the visit (What will they do? How long will they be there? Will they visit the Store or the Café as well as the galleries or Sculpture Park?). Also discuss the rules in art museums (No touching the art in the galleries, no running). - Pack a sketch pad and a plain (not colored) pencil if your child likes to draw or write. Give them time to sketch or write their reactions to the art.
- Upon arriving, ask the Reception Desk where to find the bathroom, Café, and phone, and what time the Store closes.
- Do not plan to see everything. Pick one or two things to do or see. It’s better to make a return visit than to get "museum fatigue."
- Divide your visit into small time blocks, with different activities and time to rest, go to the bathroom, or eat.
Gallery Activities:
- With very young children, look for simple shapes, lines, and colors and identify them. Ask them to describe lines in terms of animals or other things they are familiar with, for example, "This line looks like a snake."
- For older children try the Judgment Game: In a gallery, ask, Which artwork do you think required the most skill to make? Which one cost the most? Which one would you give to your parents as a present? Which one do you like the best? The least? (You can make up your own categories.) Ask your children to explain their choices.
- When looking at art, you can stimulate a lot of discussion by asking these three questions in this order:
What do you see?
What’s going on here?
What do you see that makes you say that?
Don’t agree or disagree with their answers, just listen attentively and you may be surprised to see the art in a whole new way! - DeCordova creates Family Gallery Activity Guides for some of its exhibitions. Ask at the Reception Desk for details.
