Learning with Art Beyond the Museum
Grinnell College Museum of Art encourages you to connect with works of art in our exhibitions and collection by looking, thinking, talking, writing, and making.
Art helps us process what is most difficult in life as well as connect with beauty and celebrate joy, and is a great vehicle for interdisciplinary learning and the creative exploration of self and world.
Explore this page to find activity guides, projects, and videos created to help you connect more deeply with specific artworks. You’ll find information targeted for all ages, interests, and abilities.
Please visit often for new perspectives on our collection and access GCMoA’s social media for daily opportunities to connect with and interact with art.
Virtual Drop-In for Kids! Art/Stories/Yoga/Dance Party/Homework Hangout Jan. 4–May 21
As our community responds to the fluid needs of families during the pandemic, many people are balancing child care and working remotely from home. Grinnell College Museum of Art and Drake Community Library want to help! Check out our Zoom programs for children: Fun with Art, Storytime, Dance Party, Yoga, and Homework Hangout. Find the Zoom links
Our staff and volunteers will connect with your kids for 30 minutes to read a story, look at art, make art, dance, or do yoga. Questions? Contact Tilly Woodward
Mondays, Jan. 4–May 17 at 10:30 a.m. GCMoA Fun with Art. Hosted by Tilly Woodward and Grinnell College student volunteers. Kids can drop-in for 30 minutes to listen to a book and learn about art by looking, thinking, talking, making, or writing. Join the “Fun with Art” Zoom
Tuesdays (1st and 3rd week), Jan. 5 & 19, Feb. 2 & 16, March 2 & 16, April 6 & 20, and May 4 & 18 at 10:30 a.m. Yoga for Kids & Caregivers with Drake Library. Hosted by Grace Diehm. Join the “Yoga for Kids” Zoom
Tuesdays (2nd and 4th week), Jan. 12 & 26, Feb. 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 13 & 27, and May 11 & 25 at 10:30 a.m. Dance Party for Kids & Caregivers with Drake Library. Hosted by community celebrities. Join the “Dance Party” Zoom
Wednesdays, Jan. 6–May 19, at 3:30–5 p.m. Homework Hangout. Hosted by DCL/GCMoA AmeriCorps Vista Athena Frasca and Grinnell College student volunteers. Drop in for homework help and fun activities. Stay as long as you like! Join the “Homework Hangout” Zoom
Thursdays Jan. 7–May 20, at 10:30 a.m. Storytime with Drake Library. Hosted by Karen Neal and community celebrities. Join the “Storytime” Zoom
Fridays Jan. 8–May 21 at 3:30–5 p.m. Middle School Art Club: Virtual Edition. Middle School Art Club GCMoA intern Kate Kwasneski ’21 and Grinnell College student volunteers will lead a virtual art club for Middle School Students. Middle schoolers can drop in to look at art, talk about art, make art and write. Join the “Art Club” Zoom
GCMoA/DCL Summer Programs
This summer, as we begin to return to “normal” Grinnell College Museum of Art and Drake Community Library will partner to provide arts and literacy programs for the community through live in-person and virtual programs, activity bags and online resources. Here’s the scoop!
Virtual Dance Party and Yoga for Kids and Caregivers (Alternating Tuesdays)
10:30–11 a.m. June 8–July 27
Join the Dance Party and Yoga via Zoom
- Join community celebrities as they read a book, look at art, and lead us through their favorite dance moves. We want to see your dance moves too! This is a time for literacy and movement for babies, kids, and their grown-ups.
- Grace Diehm is a wellness specialist at the Ahrens Fitness Center and will lead you through 30 minutes of stretching, intentional movement, and bonding time with your child. Beach towels make great yoga mats for kids!
Storytime Art in the Park
FREE but pre-registration required. Registration forms will be released weekly on Mondays. Limit 10 children per session. Pre-register for a 45-minute session. Enjoy time outdoors and multiple activities led by DCL and GCMoA staff. Listen to great books, look at great art and make great art of your own!
Wednesdays June 9–July 28, Grinnell College Central Campus
- 9–9:45 a.m.
- 10–10:45 a.m.
- 11–11: 45 a.m.
- Noon–12:45 p.m.
Thursdays June 10–July 29, Central Park Shelter during Farmer’s Market
- 3–3:45 p.m.
- 4–4:45 p.m.
- 5–5:45 p.m.
In case of threatening weather, Storytime Art in the Park will be canceled. Cancelations will be announced on KGRN 1410 AM and on Grinnell College Museum of Art’s Facebook page prior to the start of the session. You may also text GCMoA at 641 780 5215 or call DCL at 641 236 2661.
Grinnell College does not assume responsibility for the care and safety of children who attend these events. The College makes these programs open to the public with the understanding that for children who attend, a parent, legal guardian, or other designated caregiver remains responsible for their care and protection. For the safety of everyone, program participants, GCMoA, and DCL staff will follow CDC guidance for COVID-19: small groups, hand washing, social distancing, and mask-wearing protocols.
For more information, please email Tilly Woodward or call her at 641-269-4663, or email Karen Neal or call her at 641 236 2661.
Virtual Storytime/Fun with Art (alternating Thursdays)
June 10–July 29, 10:30- 11 am
Join Storytime/Fun with Art via Zoom
- Drop in for a virtual storytime with AmeriCorps Vista Athena Frasca and celebrity guest readers from the community each week for 30 minutes of stories and fun.
- Kids can drop in for 30 minutes with AmeriCorps Vista Athena. Listen to a book and learn about art by looking, thinking, talking, making, or writing.
Online Resources
- Check out GCMoA’s Educational Resource page for DIY activity guides.
- Register through BeanStack for Drake Community Library’s summer reading programs and online activities and challenges.
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Sheltering with Art
GCMoA Intern Lizzy Hinman ’20 Walks You Through it
Grinnell College Museum of Art Intern Lizzy Hinman ’20 helps you think about Eye Chart III, a mezzotint by Lari Gibbons in new ways. She’ll help you think about this piece from the GCMoA collection as an inspiration for both storytelling and movement!
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Our Voice
R. Gregory Christie
R. Gregory Christie is featured in the exhibition Our Voice. He won the Coretta Scott King award 6 times for his books The Palm of My Heart, Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth, Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of the Sudan, The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore, and Freedom in Congo Square. In this video he will talk to you about bookbinding, and show you how to make a book of your own.