Arts

Bring the arts home

BMA reaches families with innovative programs this fall

BY JEANA DURST close understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures,” May explains. What’s even better news

The Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) for parents: They are designed to be short lessons will reopen on October 6, but they continue to that are plug and play—for example, videos are engage with children in online programs as well. followed by some kind of activity that supports We talked to Rachel White, curator of education, the lessons being taught in the videos. Eventually and her staff to find out what’s been going on at the BMA will host a student exhibition online the BMA as well as what’s on the horizon. For that can showcase what students are making in parents looking to enrich their kids’ educational the class and at home. experiences, their free resources are so valuable for The BMA’s programming continues to serve an many reasons, including providing kids an outlet important role for schools and community groups during this stressful time (not to mention, enjoying as well. They are providing art kits to complement the inherent value of arts education). lessons, for sale through the museum store site, along

The creative work in their quick adaptation with their personalized instruction videos. Art kits to the digital realm was led by are available for purchase, but videos Angela May, assistant curator online can be accessed for free. of education, and Emily Marr, Over the summer, BMA staff the docent of teacher and provided these art kits to several education programs. Though community organizations, such their innovations, the BMA has as Smithfield Community Center, been able to continue to reach Better Basics, and the Magic City the community even through Acceptance Center. Now, Marr is the pandemic. actively working with Birmingham

One way that they do that City School’s administration to is through the BMA from select three schools where they Home initiative, where kids can can provide art supplies for them access free art-making videos to take home. So each time you as well as art-inspired games buy an art kit from the museum and puzzles. “We’ve been using materials we’ve been © 2019 THE JACOB AND GWENDOLYN KNIGHT LAWRENCE FOUNDATION, (instead of buying from Amazon), you will not only be supporting playing with in the gallery for SEATTLE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY the BMA but also helping them a long time, like downloadable (ARS), NEW YORK to provide even more art kits coloring sheets, which can be for Birmingham schools and colored digitally using an iPad or tablet,” May community organizations. says. These activities are great for parents who are This fall White and her staff will extend their now teachers, Marr points out. “These exercises outreach even further by developing resources are for youth to do on their own or in partnerhips to complement the upcoming exhibit: “Jacob with a caregiver at home to really look at art and Lawrence: The American Struggle.” Through inspire conversation around it,” she says. this curriculum, kids can learn about one of the

Another resource, Culture Bridge, uses most significant artists and black artists of the activities inspired by the BMA’s Asian art 20th Century and explore how he emphasizes the collection (one of the best in the Southeast) role of people of color and women in American to serve kids in a K-12 curriculum. “It’s history—just one more way the BMA is staying hinged on e-learning and distance learning relevant to issues of universal importance. and asynchronous research materials. It’s a Donate to support this great resource in our comprehensive web-based toolkit for educators, city and learn more about these opportunities by parents and students that’s designed to foster a visiting artsbma.org.