ARTKIDS

Kids Learn About Art Through "Museum Adventures"

JUNE 20TH, 2003

It's an academic adventure in art, history and culture. But the education is not taking place inside a classroom. Instead, through a program called " Museum Adventures," children are learning at museums, art galleries and auction houses across Manhattan."We take them on an adventure to discover art, and it's art of all sorts and all periods," said Natasha Schlesinger of Museum Adventures.

Pediatrician Jennifer Ratner and art historian Natasha Schlesinger founded Museum Adventures as a way to introduce kids to art and art concepts. The seasonal programs consist of interactive visits to art exhibits and galleries. The weekly, hour-long classes can include storytelling, show and tell, and treasure hunts.

"From a very young age, we want them to learn that museums are an amazing place, a very fun place where they can explore and see something new and exciting everyday and then want to come back," Ratner said.

The latest adventure took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with a focus on portraits.

"We create these different classes that are based on either particular exhibitions or are theme-based," said Schlesinger. "But everything is very much hands on and the children can participate in the act of looking. They just don't listen and look, they talk about it. They use their hands and their eyes and their imaginations."

Since the children are not allowed to touch the works of art, Museum Adventures brings props like brushes or clay to enhance the educational experience.

The last 15 minutes of the class are dedicated to an art project. It's a chance for students to become artists and to create a work of art inspired by the exhibit.

"You can make something different, but you have to make something similar to it," said a young artist.

--Shazia Khan