Starting in mid-February, visitors to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan will be taken on a journey far beyond the Upper West Side.
The museum’s latest exhibit, “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far,” will open on February 13, 2016. Designed for ages 2-10, this interactive, kid-friendly exhibit is an exploration of Muslim culture in the US and abroad. Children can meander through Muslim communities around the world and experience the architecture, art, trade, fashion, stories, music, and food of the various destinations.
As visitors enter the multimedia installation, 3D projections will set the scene and transport them to new locales. Projections illuminate the intricate details of a mosque ceiling and bathe a courtyard in sunlight that streams through a lattice roof.
As the fourth installation in the museum’s Global Cultural Exhibition Series, this 3,000 square- foot display is a cultural celebration of diversity. Following other cultural exhibits about Ancient Greece, China, and Japan, this exhibit strives to develop young, global citizens.
“Exposure to cultural differences at a young age, especially through the arts and everyday activities, helps children develop a more nuanced respect for diversity as they age,” said Andrew Ackerman, the Children’s Museum’s executive director. “This is vitally important in today’s world, particularly in New York, one of the most diverse cities in the world.”
Guests will have the opportunity to explore five major sections of the exhibit, including an architecture area, an American home, trade routes, a courtyard, and a global marketplace.
Join a stunning virtual architectural tour to Asia, Africa, and America in the architecture area. Stop by a local Muslim home that features clothing, objects, and stories in the American home. Journey through the trade routes section and learn about intercultural exchange, climb aboard a life-size camel, and embark on a pretend excursion through the desert. Wander around the Persian-style courtyard, and make music with instruments from around the world. Buy, sell, and trade goods and spices in the global market!
Be sure to check CMOM’s calendar for updates on educational workshops, musical performances, and artistic demonstrations tied to the exhibit.
“America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far” opens February 13th, 2016 at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and will last for at least a year. To learn more, visit cmom.org.
