See More Children's Museum of the Arts 2/13/24 Fundraiser Candy Stamp Valentines and Cotton Candy Sculptures CMA friends and families celebrated the season of love with a morning of artmaking with a side of Valentine's Day treats. NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 6/16/23 Kids Art 5 Father Figures from CMA's Permanent Collection of Children's Art NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 11/23/21 Interviews Interviews Meet Artist in Residence Ciana Malchione “Everyone deserves the space and materials to be creative." Interview by Heading 2 Heading 2 Heading 2 Heading 2 “Everyone deserves the space and materials to be creative." I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Next up in Interviews Meet Artist in Residence Tati Nguyen Meet Artist in Residence Tati Nguyen

Children's Museum of the Arts at PrideFest Free Community Artmaking Sunday, June 25, 2023 11 AM Astor Place Astor Place, New York, NY, USA Media Inquiries: adam@culturalcounsel.com RSVP PrideFest Join Children's Museum of the Arts for an afternoon of free artmaking at FamilyFest at NYC Pride , an annual LGBTQIA+ street fair that combines exhibitors, food, and activities for a day of fun and celebration in the name of equality. Afterwards, we'll watch our flags bring flown during the NYC Pride March. All ages are welcome. About DIY Pride: DIY Pride is a series of public artmaking activities celebrating the constantly evolving nature of the Pride flag, produced by Children’s Museum of the Arts in partnership with NYC Pride. Artists have long used the flag as a medium to make powerful statements about identity and the issues they care about. Originally introduced in 1978 at the Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco, the Pride Flag has since undergone continuous revision and adaptation to better reflect its inclusive vision of identity. In this important sense, the Pride Flag is not a singular symbol, but an ever-expanding constellation of the liberating spirit of the Queer community. DIY Pride takes this spirit as its animating charge, inviting children and families to design, make and share new Pride flags with the world. DIY Pride culminates in an intergenerational display of solidarity by sharing these flags created by NYC youth at the annual NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 25. Schedule of Events: Pride Block Party Hosted by Children's Museum of the Arts Sunday, June 17 10 AM to 2 PM Spring Street Park, NYC Ages 12 & under Youth Pride Saturday, June 24 12 PM Domino Park, Brooklyn Ages 12 & up FamilyFest at NYC Pride Sunday, June 25 11 AM Astor Place, NYC All Ages Children's Museum of the Arts at PrideFest is generously supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, First Republic Bank, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Google Community Grants Fund, Amazon, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harriet Ames Charitable Trust, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Hammitt, Herschel Supply Co. and the Viniar Family Foundation. Additional support is provided, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Also in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Donate Now

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 6/25/24 Artists in Schools Windows on Hudson Guild: A Neighborhood Perspective Dispatches from CMA Resident Artist Maria D. Rapicavoli's after school class at Hudson Guild. NEXT IN

Halloween Pier Party Free Community Artmaking Sunday, October 29, 2023 11 AM to 3 PM Pier 57 Pier 57, 11th Avenue, New York, NY, USA Media Inquiries: adam@culturalcounsel.com RSVP Ghouls and goblins (of all ages) are invited to join Children’s Museum of the Arts for a free community artmaking party on Sunday, October 29 from 11 AM to 3 PM at Pier 57 . Activities will take place across all three community classrooms at Pier 57. Don't forget to wear your favorite costume! DAFFODIL CLASSROOM Shadow Puppet Murals Inspired by Kara Walker [All Ages] Shadows aren’t always scary – sometimes, they’re art! Let’s turn hand movements into creatures of the night. Taking inspiration from silhouette artist Kara Walker, artists will trace their own shadows onto a communal wall-hanging canvas to create an eerie shadow mural. Monster Masks Inspired by Leonora Carrington [All Ages] Artists will let their imagination run wild as they design nocturnal creatures inspired by surrealist painter and writer Leonora Carrington. Using cardboard, string, and collage materials, artists will breathe life into the monsters of their wildest dreams – the spookier, the better! Flying Ghouls and Ghosts [Ages 5-12] Ghouls and ghosts take flight in this unique workshop designed for artists ages 5 and up. Using flowing fabric and colorful materials, artists will design ethereal creations meant to soar through the air for all to behold. Younger participants are welcome to join with assistance from an adult or instructor. OYSTER CLASSROOM Spiderweb Wall [Ages 3-12] If you were a spider, what would you collect in your web? Use clay, paper, and collage materials to create objects and animals of your own fascination. These fantastical creations can be added to our webbed wall to create a community collection of curiosities. Trick or Treat Baggu Totes [Ages 3-12] Customize your very own Baggu reusable bag to take trick-or-treating! Don’t forget the candy – artists will use felt, clay, construction paper, and other exciting mixed-media materials to design and build their own favorite sweets to fill their bags and share with others. SEAHORSE CLASSROOM Haunted House Dioramas [Ages 5-12] Shine a light on the creatures and spaces that lurk in the shadows of your imagination. Artists will design their very own haunted house dioramas using a medley of materials, including cardboard, clay, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and found objects. Dia de los Muertos Candles [Ages 3-12] Light your own decorated candle for someone you love! Inspired by votive candles central to Dia de los Muertos, artists will create and decorate their own candle base full of color, shapes, and designs they love. This project is designed for students ages 3 and up. Younger participants are welcome to join with assistance from an adult or instructor. … plus music by Baby DJ School and everyone’s favorite Costume Catwalk ! Halloween at CMA [100% Free] Monster Puppet Workshop with Monkey Boys Productions Saturday, October 28 1–3 PM Pier 57 RSVP Required Build a larger-than-life monster puppet (that moves!) with the help of the legendary puppet builders Monkey Boys Productions . Under the guidance of guest artist Betsy Falk, artists will create monster puppets of all shapes and sizes to adorn CMA’s official float in The Village Halloween Parade. Co-presented with Film Forum: The Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D Sunday, October 29 | 11 AM | Film Forum Tickets Enjoy a screening of kids' horror classics The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and Spooks (1953) at the legendary Film Forum theater in Greenwich Village. This program is rated G for all audiences. The Village Halloween Parade Tuesday, October 31 7–11 PM Greenwich Village Plan Your Viewing Come see CMA’s float kick off The Village Halloween Parade! The parade runs north on 6th Avenue from King Street to West 15th Street and is a free public event – rain or shine. Open Studio Mondays & Thursdays 3–5 PM Pier 57 Register Enjoy extra-spooky artmaking all month along during CMA’s after school Open Studio program. Activities range from Halloween candy collages to creature masks, surrealist mazes, and more. Children’s Museum of the Arts is proud to present the Halloween Pier Party with leadership support from Con Edison, MonkeyBoys Productions, and Baggu. Children's Museum of the Arts' Halloween Pier Party is generously supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, Google Community Grants Fund, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Wilhelm Family Foundation, Harriet Ames Charitable Trust, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Hammitt, Herschel Supply Co. and the Viniar Family Foundation. Additional support is provided, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Also in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Supplies for this event were provided, in part, by Materials for the Arts, a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Donate Now

Creative Break: Fish Food Sculptures Free Community Artmaking Thursday, August 25, 2022 11 AM to 12 PM Little Island West 13th Street, New York, NY, USA Media Inquiries: adam@culturalcounsel.com RSVP Join CMA Artists in Residence at Little Island during Thursdays in August for artmaking projects inspired by the unique topography of the park. On Thursday, August 25 from 11 AM to 12 PM in The Glade , CMA Artist in Residence Frank Traynor will work with children to create an entirely new art material — sculptable and edible fish food clay! Visitors will use the clay to make miniature sculptures that can be tossed into nearby waterways to be consumed by local wildlife. Programs at Children's Museum of the Arts are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Donate Now

Open Studio at Pier 57: Set Design Workshop with NYC Children's Theater [August 31] Free Community Artmaking Thursday, August 31, 2023 3 PM to 5 PM Pier 57 Pier 57, 11th Avenue, New York, NY, USA Media Inquiries: adam@culturalcounsel.com RSVP Help design the set for the upcoming production of ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! and see your work come to life on the big stage! Kids will use felt and paint markers to decorate cardboard blocks that comprise individual set pieces. They'll take inspiration from each borough's distinct personality to create designs representing the urban landscape of New York City. All participants will receive free tickets for an upcoming performance and see their contributions officially recognized in the playbill. About ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! It's the first Sunday in November, and Emily’s Abuelita is running in the NYC marathon! Emily made a sign that reads “¡Corre, Abuelita, Run!” that she wants to hold up as Abuelita runs through the finish line but she needs your help to travel through the five boroughs and get to Central Park in time to celebrate! Conceived, written, and directed by Sammy Lopez, ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! is an interactive bilingual (Spanish and English) performance that uses language, music, puppetry, and movement to take your youngest audience members on a journey through the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of New York City. ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! celebrates and explores the power of community, the joy of intergenerational family relationships, New York City, and the importance of language and traditions ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! will be visiting neighborhoods across the city in September and October 2023. This production is best suited for ages 2-5. Run time is approximately 30 minutes. About New York City Children's Theater New York City Children’s Theater is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote children’s literacy and social development through sustainable, accessible professional theater productions and arts in education programs. Their programs cultivate children’s growth in the areas of emotional intelligence, community building, and responsible decision-making. The result is empathetic, creative, and independent thinkers who make a positive impact on their world. For 27 years, New York City Children's Theater's arts in education programs and professional theater productions have served over 400,000 children and adults across all five boroughs and surrounding communities in the tri-state area. Children's Museum of the Arts' Open Studio at Pier 57 is generously supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, First Republic Bank, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Google Community Grants Fund, Amazon, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harriet Ames Charitable Trust, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Hammitt, and the Viniar Family Foundation. Additional support is provided, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Donate Now

12/21/23 Interviews Meet Betsy Falk, the Puppet Artist Behind Hattie the Halloween Hero Betsy Falk discusses the inspiration and process behind her larger-than-life monster puppet, Hattie. Click to expand media gallery. Nothing brings us more joy than watching young artists work side-by-side with professional artists. And seeing their collaboration come to life on one of New York City’s biggest stages? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake. This Halloween, Children's Museum of the Arts teamed up with expert puppet builders Betsy Falk and Richard Gomez of Monkey Boys Productions to construct Hattie (short for Manhattan!), a larger-than-life monster that became the centerpiece of our float in the Village Halloween Parade . A born-and-bred New Yorker just like ourselves, Hattie sprung to life with hundreds of tiny monster “scales” created by kids at our Halloween Party. Below, expert pupeeteer Betsy Falk discusses the inspiration behind her now-famous Halloween icon and her journey to becoming an artist. What was your inspiration behind Hattie and how did she come to life? I designed Hattie in conjunction with my co-workers at Monkey Boys Productions. We were looking for a way to highlight the inside-out part of the theme, and came up with the idea that New York City is like a big monster, filled with people that are each their own little monster. As I developed this character more fully, I was inspired by the various creatures and monsters that I have seen. I love working with fabrics, such as fur and fleece, and I knew that would be a big part of the process. I also tried to let the materials at hand guide my choices. All of the fabrics and paints I used for Hattie were leftovers in our studio from other projects, which helped drive the project toward a more eco-friendly end product! Describe any memorable experiences of working with children during the workshop. One of my favorite moments was when one young artist brought up three mini monsters they had made and handed them to me one at a time. As they got to the last monster, they looked at it and said,"this one needs to come home with me." I think all artists can identify with that need — some art is for the world, and some is just for us! I also remember one family who came up all together — at least six or seven family members, and we posted their monsters in a group. They didn't speak much English, so I don't know exactly what they were talking about, but they were very excited. One of them looked at me and pointed at their monsters and said, "family." It was a beautiful moment as they all took photos together with Hattie and their mini monsters! Where are you from and what is the arts community like there? I am from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and I have always been surrounded by the arts. My parents ran a community theatre program my entire life, and I always took part in it. I can remember many evenings when my dad would be making props or costumes in our living room late into the evening. Our greater community really embraced the arts, and there is a lot of music, dance, and art to be found there. Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child? My favorite memories of making art as a child all center around stitching with my grandmother. She was a professional-level seamstress and taught me how to sew as a child. I would spend an entire week with her every summer so we could sew together. I loved making clothing, stuffed animals, and puppets! Can you describe a formative experience visiting a museum, gallery, or theater? The very first piece of professional theatre I saw was Phantom of the Opera. I was absolutely transfixed by the music and the performers, but especially the costumes! Such lavish and amazing fabrics and outfits painstakingly put together and stitched. I was absolutely hooked. Interestingly enough, when I was an adult I worked at a costume shop in New York that was making replacement costumes for the Phantom of the Opera tour, so I got to be a part of making those amazing costumes. It was quite the full circle moment! What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice? JUST START! It's so easy to get caught up in doing it "right" that we don't want to even begin. Puppet making, creature creation, and all art practices have to start somewhere. If painting intrigues you, pick up a brush and give it a try! If sewing seems interesting, grab yourself some fabric and some thread and make something. You will only get better through practice, and it's ok to be bad at first. Just start — you never know where it will take you! How does working with children inspire you? I have always loved working with children. I actually have a teaching degree and spent many years teaching children in the arts as a dance teacher, art teacher, and theatre director. There is something incredible about introducing children to new concepts and new materials and seeing where their minds go. It's also so much fun to see that spark of understanding and pride when something goes right. Working with children inspires me to try new things and to find new ways of using old materials. It gives me new eyes on my work and helps me to think in innovative ways. When did you first know you were going to be an artist? When I was six years old, I got a chance to be in my first show. I knew then that I was destined to be in the arts. I had no idea I would end up working in costumes and puppetry, but I knew that I needed a creative outlet to feel whole. And I still do! I also think it's important to note that someone can be an artist even if they are not doing it full time. Everyone who creates art is an artist — even without formal training, even when they have a "day job," even when they only find time for it occasionally, even when they are not excessively high-skilled. I know I need to create art to feel like myself. And therefore I am an artist. Love what we do? Learn how you can support our programs (including free events like this one!) here. NEXT Emergency Exhibition: New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers Take a Virtual Tour on Bloomberg Connects Donate Now

Observation As a Way of Making Inspired by Faith Ringgold Art Class for Children With Autism Saturday, June 4, 2022 9:30 AM to 11 AM Virtual Media Inquiries: adam@culturalcounsel.com RSVP Faith Ringgold Woman on a Bridge #1 of 5: Tar Beach 1988 Acrylic paint, canvas, printed fabric, ink, and thread Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, Mr. and Mrs. Gus and Judith Leiber, 1988 © 2020 Faith Ringgold / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York Discover a new way of looking at the world by studying the narrative quilts of mixed media artist Faith Ringgold . Taking place on Saturday mornings, these live virtual classes led by veteran CMA Teaching Artist Emma Waldman provide a free opportunity for children of all ages with Autism spectrum disorders to participate in a variety of tactile art-making experiences. Classes are specifically designed to help children develop social skills, creative problem-solving strategies, and self-expression through art and storytelling. The program’s supportive environment also strengthens family ties and builds a sense of community for families affected by Autism spectrum disorders. Programs at Children's Museum of the Arts are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Children's Museum of the Arts' Inclusives Program is generously funded by the Rose M. Badgeley Charitable Trust. Additional support is provided by Liselotte and Robin Vince, the Barbara Hunt McLanahan Memorial Fund, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Jennifer & Jonathan Soros Foundation, The Robert Lehman Foundation, the Louis Legacy Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Donate Now