When my husband and I first started visiting The Brooklyn Museum, 17 years ago, the place often resembled a tomb, eerily quiet and devoid of life. Over the past years, it has become vibrant, with a new wing (part of the original plan for the museum) and a new grand entrance, still not complete. The cafe was upgraded, and a separate coffee bar was added. The museum has also become a hot place on the first Saturday of each month, when it is open until 11pm with free films, music and family programming. One thing that has remained constant is the free drop-in program, Arty Facts, offered four times each weekend. Designed for kids ages 4-7 (and their parents) this long-running program gives children a hands-on experience that is often lacking at art museums. We started going to Arty Facts when my 11-year-old was 4, then continued with our second daughter, now 9. And my 5-year-old has become such a fixture that her picture was used in a recent calendar. Each Arty Facts follows the same pattern, though each session is different. First, the group meets in the lobby and each kid gets a nametag. Then everyone goes off to a gallery, where kids discuss the art, and are given paper and pencil to sketch. This part usually lasts about 45 minutes; afterwards, everyone goes to the studio and works in the chosen medium. Sometimes it’s clay, sometimes paint or markers; there may be materials to glue, or scissors and colored paper to cut. If your child likes to raise her hand and discuss the art, both on display or her own creation, the educators are willing to listen. But they also come around to each kid, even the shy ones, giving everyone a chance to contribute. Each month follows a different theme, but since various educators lead each class, the sessions don’t repeat. In March, Arty Facts will explore the Ancient Galleries; in April, the focus is on blossoming color, both outside (think spring) and inside. If you want to spend more time in the museum, there is also a “Stories & Art” program on Saturdays, at 4pm. Storytellers weave tales related to what’s on the walls, sometimes accompanied by music. When Arty Facts (and the museum itself) wasn’t quite so popular, younger and older children could be accommodated, but the museum now asks that only kids in the targeted age range attend.
Info: Where: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn When: Wednesday-Friday, 11am-5pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-6pm (except on the first Saturday of each month, when the museum is open until 11pm) How much: Suggested admission: $6 adults; free children under 12 Getting there: #2 or #3 train to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum. There is a parking lot off Washington Avenue. For more info: (718) 638-5000; www.brooklynmuseum.org
