Special performances illuminating the Gallery's collections or exhibitions are presented to family audiences free of charge. All performances take place in the East Building Auditorium. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance registration. For information, please call (202) 842-6252.

Our summer programs are organized into two series—Stories in Art (ages 4–7) and Artful Conversations (ages 8–11)—designed to engage children and adults with works of art in the galleries.

These free drop-in programs are designed for individual families, and we cannot accommodate groups. Space is limited to 60 children per session. There is no advance registration; participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. As a courtesy to the group, we will only accept sign-in for children in the age ranges listed. Program times, dates, and topics follow. For information, call (202) 789-3030.

(ages 4 to 7) This series of programs uses storytelling to introduce children to works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children's book, looking at one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple hands-on activity. The summer series is presented in a four-year cycle—Explore Italy, Discover Dutch Art, Tour de France, and American Adventure—with each topic highlighting a different part of the permanent collection. Approximately 60 minutes.

Sign-in for Stories in Art will take place in the West Building Rotunda, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on weekdays and at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled.

Summer Story Series: Tour de France
Would you like to visit France this summer? Pack your imagination and travel to the National Gallery of Art! Explore scenes of France, from its countryside to the bustling urban center of Paris, through works of art in the French galleries. You'll meet French artists in children's books, investigate paintings, and make a souvenir to document each adventure. Participants will receive a passport to the summer story series and a stamp for each program attended. At the end of the summer, children with three or more stamps will receive a prize!

(ages 8 to 11) Designed for children and adults to participate in together, this series of programs uses observation and discussion to explore works of art in the collection. Led by museum educators, each program focuses on one work of art in the galleries.

Sign-in for Artful Conversations will take place in the West Building Rotunda, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays, and will continue until all spaces are filled.

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 participant will receive a booklet to accompany this series and a stamp for each program attended. If you have three or more stamps at the end of the summer, you will receive a prize!

Subscribe to Our Free E-mail Newsletters
Stay up to date with the National Gallery of Art by subscribing to our free e-mail newsletters: CASVA, educators, exhibitions, family programs, fellowships/internships, film programs, gallery talks/lectures, music programs, shop, teen programs, and Web. Select as many updates as you wish to receive. To edit your subscriber information, please go to our subscription management page.