A Day at CMA
Welcome to the Children’s Museum of the Arts, a hands on art museum dedicated to engaging young artists in innovative programming, workshops, and self guided art exploration. Read on for all you can see and do with your family during your visit.
What to explore at CMA:
- A 2,000 sq. foot Gallery
- State of the art Media Lab & Sound Booth
- Clay Bar
- Fine Art Studio
- Lofted Ball Pond and Slide
- WEE Arts Studio (dedicated to young artists ages 1 to 5)
- Quiet Room for down time
Learn more about what you can expect on your trip to CMA below:
For Little Artists
WEE Arts Studio is an art space dedicated for young artists ages 5 and under. Join in on music time, storytelling, painting, drawing, drumming, and much more. All these fun activities can be discovered by you and your 1-5 year old in our WEE Arts studio. Enjoy age appropriate art programming that will stimulate and build confidence in your young artist. All workshops are facilitated by our energetic and engaging early childhood teaching artists.
For more information, please see the WEE Arts page.
For Media Makers
The Media Lab’s teaching artists encourage and empower young artists to be active and discerning makers of media by learning to create their own films, animations and various other multi media projects. Workshops range from puppet and set building to digital photography and stop motion animated filmmaking. After creating your films, you can find it soon posted on our Blog.
Note: New CMA Blog Coming Soon
The Clay Bar is open Thursdays through Mondays during general hours and features workshops in modeling clay creatures, facilitated by Media Lab teaching artists. You can sign up for a clay bar slot when you arrive at CMA. Stocked with an array of art supplies, tools and inspirational materials, young artists are given an opportunity to create their own characters. On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, young artists are invited to join us at our Clay Café in the gallery to create your own characters.
The Sound Booth is open Thursdays through Mondays during general hours and features workshops facilitated by Media Lab teaching artists,. These weekend workshops explore combinations of voice overs, synthesized sound, music appreciation, music production, interviews and various approaches to oral interpretation. You can find a selection of soundtracks on our Blog.
Note: New CMA Blog Coming Soon
The Groove Tube: A Curated Soundscape celebrates music creation, innovation and appreciation. With 10 private listening stations, visitors will receive an “ears on” experience of various musical genres, original music and soundscapes by CMA’s young artists and specially designed play lists by professional artists and musicians.
Add to our ongoing soundscape by visiting the Sound Booth to design your own playlist and podcast on Thursday & Friday from 3 to 6 PM.
For Fine Art Aficionados
The Fine Arts Studio is open during all general hours. Explore the world of painting, drawing, textiles and sculpture as you collaborate with our experienced teaching artists to produce works of art to take home. The Studio also offers several self guided workshops including a self portrait station. To learn more about upcoming workshops, please see our calendar.
The Gallery
CMA launches large-scale art exhibitions 3 to 4 times year, featuring the work of children and that of adults who create relevant work. CMA offers exhibition-related programming in our gallery. Be inspired by the visual artists you see as you participate in a variety of art making activities. See our current exhibit for more information.
The Ball Pond
Each hour is divided into time slots by age to ensure the safety of all our visitors:
:00 – :20 — 2 to 4 year olds
:20 to :40 — 5 to 7 year olds
:40 to :60 — 8+ year olds
Caregiver supervision is required. The number of people in the ball pond may be limited at staff’s discretion.
Throughout the day, Staff will clear the ball pond for 10-minute birthday party bounces. Staff will be thoughtful to accommodate all of our visitors.
Museum Map
