Springtime Fun at the NCMA

Spring has sprung! Hop on over to the North Carolina Museum of Art for some family fun. We’ve got performances, tours, and crafts galore. Come for the art, but do a whole lot more!

A Date with Egypt

Saturday, April 30
10 am–2 pm
East Building, Level C
Free

Grab your archaeologist hat—we’re going on a dig! Families will explore ancient Egypt through science and art-making activities and have an opportunity to hear a working archaeologist talk about her adventures. Bring a camera for pictures of the kids dressing up like a pharaoh or princess, and enjoy a tour led by an ancient Egyptian.

See a Show!

Wonderful Wednesdays

Trish Miller The Wonderful Wednesdays Performance Series is on its way! Join us at 1 pm on Wednesdays in June, July, and August for a fabulous collection of poets, storytellers, musicians, and puppeteers. Check our Web site in May for more information.

Preschool Playshops: What's in the Box?

What's in the Box? This popular program continues through the spring for 2- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. If you are looking for ways to help preschoolers experience the Museum, check out What’s in the Box? Children can meet a new work of art twice each month. Through play they learn about the Museum and collect pictures of new art “friends” they meet. Space is limited. Sign up on the day of the program; first come, first served.

April 14 - The Seasons
Spring is in the air. Come to the Museum to celebrate and explore the seasons.

April 28 - People and Portraits
People and portraits have so much to say in art and in our lives. Come to the Museum and explore people in art.

May 12 - Places
Whether we are traveling near or far, places shape our experience of the world. Come to the Museum and explore all kinds of places.

May 26 - Movement
Up, down, round and round, stomp your feet and twirl around! Let’s explore all kinds of creative movement at the Museum!

Family Fun Saturdays

Family Fun Saturdat Free workshops for kids and their families, with a different theme each session.

Ages 4–84+
10 am and 1 pm
Sign up now for April, May, and June programs by calling (919) 664-6785.

April 16 Animals in Art
April 30 A Date with Egypt - A Special Family Event – No Registration Required
May 7 Right on Target
May 14 Lost and Found
May 21 Mix It Up
May 28 People Portraits

MORE Family-Friendly Events at the Museum

Take a Tour!

Family-Friendly Tours
Saturdays and Sundays 2 pm and 3 pm

Family Tours in the new West Building are a wonderful and easy way to spend time with your family and learn about art. Join us in the galleries for a lively discussion and activity created for families with children ages 5 and up.

No reservations necessary. Sign up at West Building Information Desk.

Get Your Teens Involved!

Annual Art Competition (Grades 9–12)
Deadline for entry is May 6

We think the art in the NCMA’s collection is inspiring. That’s why we invite teens to create original art inspired by any work in our collection (which they can access online or on-site). Students should use the Museum’s collection as inspiration for a work of their own rather than try to copy a particular piece. Works can be in any medium. Prizes of $200, $100, and $50 will be awarded, and selected works will be exhibited in the Museum’s GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Gallery. Download application here.

Slam Lite
Poetry slam workshop for youth ages 11–18
Saturday, April 30
11 am–noon

In recognition of National Poetry Month, the Museum hosts its first spoken word workshop for ages 11–18. Come join poet, playwright, and emcee Dasan Ahanu to learn the basics of spoken word. Bring your own poems, or craft one on the spot. Stay to watch other poets perform during the afternoon Invitational Poetry Slam at 2 pm.

Limited space. Registration required. Contact Kristin Smith at (919) 664-6850 or by email.

A "Looking Together" Activity

Explore and have fun with art from the Museum's collection.

Families looked at the painting Raqqa II by Frank Philip Stella during the What’s in the Box?: Parts of Art program in March. On your next visit, take a closer look at this work of art.

Look
How many colors can you name in this painting? What is your favorite color? Can you find it in more than one place? The artist has repeated colors. When you use something more than once, you are repeating it. Can you find a circle in this painting? Can you find another one? The circle shape is repeated many times.

Connect
This painting shows many lines that form shapes. In the air, trace one of the shapes made by the lines. When these shapes and lines are repeated, we see a pattern. Can you find a pattern on your clothes? Look at the bottom of your shoe and see if there are repeated shapes. As you leave the Museum, keep your eyes open for art that uses repeated colors or shapes.

Enrich
Cut or tear a shape (a circle, triangle, or square) from a small piece of construction paper. Cut or tear another one that is the same shape. It can be the same size or bigger or smaller. Glue them on a big piece of construction paper. Choose a different shape. Make two or more of them. Decide where to glue them on your paper. You are making a shape and color collage. Make more shapes, and add them to the paper until your collage is finished.

Shop for Inspiration!

Did you know that our Museum Store has a ton of great stuff for kids? Take a look at this origami kit: what a great project to work on inside during a rainy spring day! Members always receive a discount on purchases in the Museum Store.

Quick Links

Museum Home

Museum Calendar

Museum Expansion

Museum Park

Museum Store Online

Family programs are sponsored by:

Crabtree Kids' Club
Prudential
Target
WakeMed Children's

Images

Main body:

Museum Park

Trish Miller

What's in the Box? at the Museum

Family Fun Saturday at the Museum

Sidebar:

Frank Philip Stella, Raqqa II, 1970, synthetic polymer and graphite on canvas, 120 x 300 in., Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hanes

Origami Kit, Museum Store