Nyckidsartscompleteguide
  • Alliance for the Arts
  • Also visit NYC Arts

March 12, 2010

NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

Also Visit NY State Arts

Kid Fun in Grown-Up Museums

Art museums are smart. They know that in terms of creativity and imagination, kids have a lot in common with the artists featured on their walls. To acclimate kids to new ways of looking and discussing what they see, grown-up museums are tailoring programs to young people and their families. It's a great way to groom future museum-goers and artists. 

Home >

Parents

Welcome to NYCkidsARTS, created to help parents and caregivers bring the arts into the lives of young people with whom they are connected.

The organizations listed on this site, found by browsing the A-Z list, by category or discipline or using search, all have programs that are appropriate for young people.

Many of the groups found on this site have developed special programs for afterschool activities and programs for families. Programs, events and activities can be found by using the calendar or search features.

The lessons and activities on NYCkidsARTS are designed so that they can be enjoyed by everyone. They may be used with or without making a trip to the cultural organizations that provided the material—no specialists are required for the lessons.

However, we encourage you to take advantage of all that the cultural groups on this site have to offer by going and doing. Wherever possible, we highlight free or low-cost programs, as well as discounts that these groups offer. To see a list of current discounts, click here.

We also provide information to help you plan your cultural activity, including nearest subway information and whether a venue has onsite food service.

We are continuing to develop additional features and content tailored to parents and caregivers.  Please check back for updates.

Send us your ideas.

Things to Do for Kids

  • Thumb_5011-biennial2010_vitale

    Biennial 2010

    Manhattan

    The selection of 55 artists in the Whitney's 75th biennial represents a "barometer of an artistic moment" in America, eschewing a specific theme. It is the fewest number of artists ever in a Whitney biennial, and for the first time, there are more women than men.

  • Thumb_0040-brooklynkids-building1-c-chuckchoi

    Brooklyn Children's Museum

    Brooklyn

    A menagerie of resident animals and a permanent collection of more than 20,000 natural science objects and cultural artifacts enliven exhibits and presentations at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.

  • Camille A. Brown & Andrea Miller

    Manhattan

    Known to audiences from the work she has created for Urban Bush Women and Alvin Aliey American Dance Theater, Brown now comes to the Joyce with her own ensemble. Joining Brown is Miller, whose company, Gallim Dance, has exploded onto the national dance scene with technical virtuosity and strikingly physical works.

  • Carnegie Hall

    Manhattan

    Carnegie Hall has a long history of hosting the world's most outstanding instrumentalists, conductors, orchestras and vocalists during its regular concert season.

  • Thumb_5526-cmom_playworks

    Children's Museum of Manhattan

    Manhattan

    Through a unique environment of interactive exhibitions and programs, the museum aims to inspire children and families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world.

  • Nicu's Spoon

    Manhattan

    Nicu's Spoon produces socially reflective theater that presents new ideas, challenges stereotypes and emotionally moves audiences in an unexpected way. The theater group gives voice to different ethnicities and abilities, whose stories often go untold.

  • Thumb_3280-art2005

    Staten Island Children's Museum

    Staten Island

    Founded by a group of parents in 1974, the museum moved to its current home at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden (see separate entry) in 1986. The museum presents active, hands-on exhibits and programs that demonstrate that learning can be fun.

  • Thumb_4128-conservatory

    Staten Island Conservatory of Music

    Staten Island

    Modeled on the finest European conservatories of music, this community school offers high-quality music education by world-class instructors to all, regardless of age or origin.

  • Thumb_0815-three

    Three, an Adventurous Retelling of the Classic Fairy Tales

    Manhattan

    "Three" is an adventurous retelling of the classic fairy tales Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Bears. It stars the Big Bad Wolf as he journeys through these beloved fables to become the Big Good Wolf.

  • Thumb_1424-orgid_1131_ext3

    Weeksville Heritage Center

    Brooklyn

    Weeksville Heritage Center is a historic museum that preserves the history of the free and intentional 19th century African-American community of Weeksville.

More Things to Do

Kids' Events

  • Next to Normal

    ManhattanFri, March 27, 2009 – Sun, July 4, 2010

    Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt's musical explores one family's struggle to pull themselves through a crisis while still maintaining the status quo.

  • Beyond Our Walls Residencies

    BrooklynOngoing

    BAX offers numerous in-school and after school programs in 7-, 14- and 30-week segments and between one and three days per week. Options include Creative Movement (PreK–grade 2), which teaches concepts of making shapes, negative space and travel patterns, and Circus Arts (grades 2–12), in which clowning, juggling and comedic timing is taught.

More events

Parent Resources

Curriculums, Lesson Plans & Activities

Suggest a Resource

Parents, know of a resource you find helpful in bringing the arts into the life of your children?


Share it with us