Museum admission for children 12 and under is always free. Be sure to pick up our new activity book at The Blanton's front desk and passport to Austin's museums, sponsored by the Austin Museum Partnership.
Save the Date!
Austin Museum Day
Sunday, September 19, 2010, 1-5PM
Visit The Blanton and enjoy art activities and tours during this city-wide museum event! Admission is FREE.
Support for education programs at The Blanton is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc. Education Endowment.
Tips for Parents
Here are some helpful tips for talking to children about art at the museum.
Take your time and limit what you see to one part of the collection or exhibition. Don't feel like you have to see the entire museum in one visit.
Remind your child not to touch the art. There are a few exceptions to this, so just ask one of our gallery assistants to be sure.
Let the child choose art he or she finds interesting, then, look at and talk about the work together. Here are some ideas for discussion:
- Name everything you see in this painting (or drawing, print, etc.).
- Without naming it, describe something you see in the works of art by its shape, color, and location. Can someone in your group guess what it is?
- Have you seen anything like this before?
- What is going on in this picture?
- What do you like best about this art?
Don't hesitate to go back to the same works. As with a favorite book or song, a child can see an artwork over and over again and discover something new about it each time.
Buy something like a postcard or art magnet at the end of your visit as a souvenir of your child's experience. This can enhance his or her memory of the works of art and can improve your child's comfort with looking at art.
And remember, it's okay not to know about a work of art. Just have fun and discover what you see together.
