Local children had the opportunity to explore their creative side this past weekend.
Families made their way to the Krannert Art Museum in Champaign Saturday for “Artventures for Kids.” The free program combines storytelling with gallery exploration and hands-on activities for children.
A group of children gathered around Olivia Coleman from the Urbana Free Library as she read from three books. Coleman invited them to draw on a board with colorful markers.
After storytime, families moved into the gallery to explore artwork.
This month’s event focused on the ancient Mediterranean gallery. The children learned about a water vessel from ancient Greece that is more than 2,000 years old.
Rachel Storm, assistant director of community engagement and learning at the Krannert Art Museum, is one of the program’s organizers. She said the Artventures program aims to go beyond the classroom and bring learning to museums with creative activities.
“Sometimes that’s singing or movement together, getting up and exploring independently through things like scavenger hunts that one could do with a guardian, a parent, a caregiver, etc., but also getting able to sort of use our hands and do some hands-on learning too,” she said.
The hands-on activity on Saturday involved kids acting as characters from Greek mythology using cardboard cutouts to create shadow silhouettes on the walls.
Among those in attendance was Susan Misner, who came with her grandson Gibson.
Misner said they drove an hour from Rossville to the museum, but it was worth it for the opportunity to enjoy art together.
“It’s a nice bonding time for me with my grandson,” she said. “And, we usually do Thursdays together. But today was special, so we did it.”
Gibson said he especially enjoyed performing shadow silhouettes. At home, he said he enjoys arts and crafts at home. Once he used cardboard to create a wrestling championship.
Storm said it is important for the museum to serve the greater public alongside the University of Illinois’ College of Fine and Applied Arts.
“We offer programs not just for our faculty, staff and students, but for families in the area that see our resource as a destination, as a place for community engagement,” she said.
The idea of Artventures grew out of a previous event called Storytime, which was held two years ago, Storm said. The museum collaborated with multiple libraries in Champaign-Urbana to select books that reflect exhibitions.
Throughout the year, Storm and her team received feedback from participants who wanted other activities alongside storytelling. She said they added activities like scavenger hunts and other unique experiences, such as making 3-D buildings.
“As it grew, we realized the name Storytime at KAM no longer reflected what we do,” Storm said. “That’s really where Artventures comes from.”
The program also grew with the museum’s reopening of some galleries in the lower level after a year of construction. Storm said she looks forward to seeing more families coming to the event.
“Students who are learning to become art educators, anyone is welcome to attend this program,” she added. “It’s for the young and the young at heart.”
The next Artventures for Kids will take place in November. More information can be found here.