Tag Archives: Things to do in DC

September 25, 2012 · 1:49 pm

A Free for All at Local Museums

We Washingtonians are spoiled when it comes to museums. Not only do we have some of the nation’s — no, make that the world’s — most wonderful museums right in our backyards, but many of them are free. It is one of the things I most appreciate about living in Washington, DC, and raising a family here.

However, there’s a tiny downside: With all this free access, it can be easy to overlook the places that do charge admission, many of which are fantastic. But thanks to Smithsonian Magazine, we’ll have an opportunity to check out some of them the way we’re used to: free of charge. This Saturday, September 29, is their annual Museum Day, when many museums that usually charge admission will waive the entrance fee for guests. All you have to do is register to get your Museum Day Ticket and you can visit a participating museum of your choice for free. Tickets are good for two people, and you must print it and bring with you to receive admission.

These are some of the participating area museums (that usually require a fee) that families will enjoy:

DC:
Dumbarton House and Gardens
National Museum of Crime & Punishment
Newseum
The Kreeger Museum
The Phillips Collection

Maryland:
American Visionary Art Museum
Annapolis Maritime Museum
B&O Railroad Museum
Chesapeake Children’s Museum
College Park Aviation Museum

Virginia:
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

The 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

View of a past Smithsonian Folklife Festival (Photo: Jeff Tinsley, Smithsonian Institution)

Lots of white tents are starting to pop up on the National Mall. Which, around this time of year, can only mean one thing: The 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival is about to begin. From June 27 – July 1 and July 4-8, the National Mall will become the stomping grounds of folks from around the globe to celebrate living cultural heritage and community traditions.

Focused on a few main themes every year, the festival has three in 2012: Campus and Community commemorates the 150th anniversary of the founding of land-grant universities and the USDA. Citified celebrates arts and creativity east of the Anacostia River. Creativity and Crisis spotlights the 25th anniversary of The AIDS Memorial Quilt and 30 years of life with AIDS.

Visitors of all ages will have ample opportunity to discover and explore all three areas through special exhibits, workshops, performances, exhibits, demos, and more, including plenty of activities especially children. For specifics, see the festival schedule.

This will all take place on the National Mall just past Smithsonian Castle (and all of the construction) from June 27 – July 1 and July 4 -8. Festival hours are 11am – 5:30pm with special performances taking place later most evenings. And in true Smithsonian spirit, just about all of it is free and open to the public.

If you plan to go… Be aware that the Mall will likely be crowded during this time. Besides the throngs of tourists that visit DC during the summer, the July 4th celebration draws even more crowds, especially in the days leading up to the event (on the day of, it’s jam-packed). That said, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is definitely worth checking out. We go at some point every year and always find exhibits and activities that are interesting for the whole family. Generally, I always recommend taking Metro to the Mall. The Smithsonian stop on the Blue/Orange line lets out right by the Festival, and L’Enfant (Blue/Orange/Yellow/Green) stop is also nearby.

Drop in for Art and Fun at the National Gallery this Winter

Absorbed in a Stories in Art class last summer

When it comes to museums, the National Gallery of Art isn’t exactly a go-to venue for our family. Besides a near disaster there a couple of years ago (think unwitting child almost putting his hand through a canvas), my kids, like many kids, prefer big, interactive exhibits over works of art hanging on walls.

Unless the art is presented to them in a cool way, as the National Gallery does in its free drop-in programs. Over several weekends during winter and summer, the NGA invites kids to explore art through a variety of classes designed for young museum-goers. And the next winter session starts this Saturday, January 15, with several workshops for kids to enjoy well into March.

Stories in Art introduces kids ages 4-7 to art through storytelling, discussion, and a hands-on art project (read a review here). This winter, guests will investigate modern and contemporary art as three thoughtful stories are paired with three artists in the NGA collection (Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keefe, and Helen Frankenthaler). After examining how nature inspired each artist, guests will experiment with diverse media to create their own works of art. The hour-long classes are free, and no registration is required, but there is a limit to the number of children in each class. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled in each of the four time slots. Visit the website for dates, times, and more details about each class.

Artful Conversations, recommended for ages 8-11, is designed for children and adults to participate in together. Led by museum educators, each program includes looking at one work of art in the galleries, accompanied by a poetry-writing activity. One-hour classes will take place on January 21, February 18, and March 10 at three different times each day. No registration or fees are required, and sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium beginning at 10:00am and continue until all spaces are filled.

Family Workshops, recommended for ages 8-11, are also designed for children and adults to participate in together. Taught by artists and museum educators, each two-hour workshop includes an interactive tour in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio session. In this session, guests will investigate Edgar Degas’ wax sculptures of dancers and horses, and learn how to construct their own using a wire armature and clay. All workshops begin in the Education Studio, located on the East Building Concourse. Workshops are free, but registration is required. Registration begins at noon on January 11 — visit the website to sign up, and be aware that classes fill up fast!