A drum roll is in order,
folks! CMA has officially made the big move to Hudson Square. Because of an
increase in demand for its arts programming over the past five years, this
creative family spot has not only tripled in size—so have its offerings!
“This new space will
enable us to empower more young artists and advance CMA’s role as a leader in
innovative arts programming,” says Executive Director David Kaplan.
What to expect? The bigger
and better space on Charlton Street contains a 2,000-square-foot gallery to
hold large-scale exhibitions, as well as a media lab complete with a high-tech
sound station, video-making tools and animation equipment. Advanced radio lab,
textiles and filmmaking classes are now offered for tweens and teens, and the
museum has also created a WEE Arts room for tots aged 0-5. Art on!
103 Charlton Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org
DiMenna
Children’s History Museum
Opening November 11, the new DiMenna Children’s History
Museum combines two unique elements of the
museum world—that of history and
that of kiddos.
“We were inspired to create our new museum by the richness
and wonder of America’s past and to build an institution specifically focused
on conveying these qualities—which tend to get lost in most textbooks—to
children,” explains Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York
Historical Society (NYHS).
In order to appeal to (and hopefully stir) its younger
demographic, the DiMenna will draw inspiration from the stories of protagonists
who made New York history at an early age, such as Cornelia Van Varick,
Alexander Hamilton and James McCune Smith.
Mirrer says a lack of historical knowledge in today’s youth
propels the institution’s vitality. “Recent studies show that only 9 percent of
fourth grade students across the country can identify a photograph of Abraham
Lincoln and explain why he was important.”
How can the Dimenna Children’s History Museum help? It’s all in the approach.
Young museum-goers, no longer simply visitors, will be referred to as “History
Detectives” to encourage them to make their own discoveries about the past.
What’s more, kids will be able to take part in political
exhibits at the museum, such as polling stations at the Cast Your Vote
pavilion, or get the chance to deliver an address at the First President kiosk.
Look Ma, no age requirement!
170
Central Park West, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org/childrens-museum
Finally, a museum all
about mamas! At the Museum of Motherhood (M.O.M.), visitors can learn about
birth practices dating all the way back to the 10th Century, draw or write
their story on the “Write Out Loud” wall, and view “Mother: The Job,” an
exhibit that parallels motherhood to unpaid labor.
“I can think of no other
single thing that has gone largely unexamined for so long,” Founding Director
Joy Rose says. “While we give credence and dollars toward all manners of
education, the role of mother, ‘the job,’ is ignored.”
It is this realization
that led to the creation of M.O.M., which Rose says aspires to be a source of
information, education, inspiration and empowerment for mothers, caregivers and
families. “We have mustard museums, marble museums and car museums, but until
now, there have been no museums dedicated to this all-important job of creating
the next generation of human beings.”
But the M.O.M. isn’t an
adult-only affair! Gymboree equipment, toys and bikes are available for tots to
play with, as well as regularly scheduled baby groups and storytimes.
401 East 84th Street, 212-452-9816, mommuseum.org
