A MUSEUM FOR ALL AGES

Maureen Zaremba, Curator of Education

As a museum professional, I have quoted statistics and provided endless anecdotes throughout my career about the value of the arts in a robust curriculum. Empirical evidence shows that engagement with any art form produces higher achieving students. The arts encourages creativity, problem solving, and “thinking out of the box”, skills all children will need in our rapidly evolving world.

In addition to being a museum professional, I’m also a Mom. Traveling with Mom meant our family went to any and every museum that crossed our path. I learned to negotiate the amount of time we spent in a museum and also became thoughtful about how to engage all of us in an exhibition or collection.

My children are grown. An artist and a scientist, they are both avid museum goers and we still enjoy the experience together. The parent part of me looks at The Ringling as an amazing array of opportunities for young families.

Families can search for animals in art in the museum galleries then look for the animals on our grounds including foxes, otters, squirrels, and many varieties of birds. They can discover the amazing acrobatic feats of circus performers and then create their own performance in our new Bolger Playspace. A relaxing day can include a stroll along the Bolger Promenade. With little ones in strollers, they can admire the beauty of Ca d’Zan, then enjoy a picnic on the Terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay. While The Ringling offers organized family programs such as ROAR! this Summer, it is also a place for families to let their imagination rule. Families are encouraged to slow down their pace, explore and discover this magical museum in their own backyard.