Families
On-Site Programs
Artful Conversations (Ages 8-11)
Artful Conversations uses observation and discussion to explore works of art in the collection. Led by museum educators, each conversation focuses on one work of art in the galleries. Designed for children and adults to participate in together, this program provides a model for families to explore works of art together. Each conversation is approximately 70 minutes.
The summer series features works of art in the West Building, while the winter series investigates modern art in the East Building.
Artful Conversations Summer Series
Many museum visitors spend only seconds looking at a work of art. Find out what you can discover when you spend an hour exploring one work of art! Bring your observation skills, imagination, curiosity, and creativity to these guided discussions that delve deep into masterpieces from the Gallery’s collection. Each week’s discussion is accompanied by activities such as sketching, writing poetry, creating sounds, or making connections between works of art. Children who attend three or more programs receive a prize.
Multiple-Visit Program
The Gallery offers a series of programs—Stories in Art (ages 4-7) and Artful Conversations (ages 8-11)—designed to engage families across the developmental spectrum of their child. Both programs aim to inspire curiosity and strengthen observation and thinking skills, which develop over time and through multiple encounters with works of art. By slowing down and closely examining one work of art during each program session, families deepen their understanding of art. The programs aim to provide models for families to explore art together on their own in the museum.
Stories in Art and Artful Conversations are organized into a summer series (four consecutive weeks in July and August) and winter series (monthly programs from January through March). Over the course of eight years, a child has the opportunity to participate in seven programs a year, for a total of fifty-six different topics.
Contact
For information, email family@nga.gov.