ArtMuse’s Top Museum Picks For Families

What better way to survive the last weeks of winter (hopefully) than by taking the fam to soak up some culture at one of the city’s many art museums? To get you started, ArtMuse has rounded up some of our favorite shows and exhibits going right now!

These shows are not just for adults but are destinations to take your kids to and enjoy some wonderful art exploration together. Some are running through the summer while some are here only for a few days . Check them out!

Italian Futurism, 1909-1944: Reconstructing the Universe, Guggenheim Museum, through September 1: This ambitious exhibit takes over the entire spiral of the museum showcasing multi-media works of Futurist art. It’s aggressive and colorful, dizzying and dynamic.  Kids will respond to the shapes and colors and the sense of movement, technology and speed present in most of them.  Don’t miss a small theater-like gallery where you can rest for a moment and witness a light-show work.  Ages 5 and up.

Out of Hand: Materializing the Post-Digital. Museum of Arts and Design, through June 1: Do not miss this fantastic exhibit that presents works by a broad variety of contemporary artists such as Chuck Close and Maya Lin who have incorporated cutting edge technology of 3-D printing into their work to really brilliant effects.  From Marc Newson Diamond and Sapphire necklace that replicates a mathematical formula in its design to a stocking suit created with this technology and worn by Lady Gaga, the element of surprise and discovery permeates the show.  There is even a 3-D printing studio on the 2nd floor where anyone can make a self-portrait printed in a 3 inch version. Ages 4 and up.

Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum, Opens March 7: As always this exhibit promises to be controversial and conversation inspiring. Perhaps not to everyone’s liking, it will nonetheless become something to go and see and  judge for yourself.  103 artists will be represented as selected by three distinct curators with very individual tastes.  The Biennial always has art that kids respond to in its diverse and exciting nature but also, most surely, will have moments parents will want to avoid because of mature content or a shocking aspect. Check with the front desk of the museum before your exploration. Ages 4 and up.

Folk Couture: Fashion and Art, American Folk Art Museum, through April 23rd: I love this idea of mixing art and fashion since they have always inspired one another.  We see art and fashion ideas burst from unusual directions all the time.  In the case of the current exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum gallery at 2 Lincoln Square, 13 fashion designers have been inspired by the folk art in the museum’s collection to create original garments that play with the concept of folk art and wearable art and fabric as art and integrate all these ideas into a playful and vibrant exhibit. Ages 5 and up.

The Armory Show, March 6-9, Piers 92 and 94: The Armory Show is an important showcase of modern and contemporary art from over 200 international galleries as well as associated art events.  It is absolutely a must on your art viewing and art collecting calendar for March.  Bring your family, bring your kids; there is always something there for everyone.  But, be prepared for crowds and at least two hours spent wandering through the enormous space, already divided into two piers and offering art of every medium and price range. All ages.

About ArtMuse: Natasha Schlesinger is an award-winning art historian and New York City mother of three. Eleven years ago, Natasha founded ArtMuse, which offers interactive and engaging thematic art tours for kids and adults to museums and art galleries in New York, Paris, London, Rome, and Florence. She is also a co-founder of ArtXplorers, a multi-media platform that brings art to kids through virtual art tours and arts and crafts videos as well as developing products.