Kids should be exposed to fine art as often as possible. There are many ways to immerse your child in the arts: fairs, sculpture gardens,museums, and more.
We love smaller art museums because they are usually free (or donation only). This helps us, as parents, keep our heads level if the kiddoes decide to tear through a place, rather than stopping to really appreciate their surroundings. It is also our experience that smaller, gallery style art museums are usually not very crowded. This fits in well with our way of exploring. Occasionally, smaller galleries don’t look kindly upon kids, but that is not the case at this museum!
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Jmkac) is a big space, though not overloaded with art. The vast high-ceilinged areas allow you to move around and see things from alternate angles. Our kids really enjoyed being able to walk all the way around certain large, suspended sculpture to see it in different ways. Look for the hidden horse as you wander about the different rooms. The Jmkac also has a community art room, called the Artery, encouraging visitors to get hands on with an art project.
Tip: If you participate with the current project in the art room- please note they don’t allow you to take your creation home. Our kids would have been devastated to have to leave something behind that they worked hard on creating. So we didn’t encourage a long visit in this room.
Be sure to explore the outdoor, small and funky sculpture garden which features an odd assortment of tiny stone and cement castles. A great way to stretch the legs before climbing back in the car. One of the most unexpected discoveries is the Jmkac’s elaborate restrooms! Seriously. The restrooms are like nothing we have ever seen and worth the visit alone. Make sure you check them out.
And the Jmkac has a small café tucked away in a corner, but we recommend you check out the Paradigm Café instead. It’s just a few blocks away. Parking at the Jmkac is plentiful and free. Admission is also free.
We had a great time and look forward to going back.
What’s your favorite way to get your art on?