Photo by Kristyn Ulanday
This summer, we are excited to partner with the Boston Public Library for Play Dates in June, July, and August! Be inspired by visiting artists and authors during interactive Zoom workshops, and explore the rich world of storytelling. Dive deeper with downloadable activities designed by artists to do on your own time. Ready to visit the museum safely as a family? Explore the galleries with self-guided activities available on-site during Play Dates.
Virtual:
Virtual Workshop with children’s book author
Juana Martinez-Neal
Fri, Aug 27 | 10 – 11 AM EST on Zoom
Join us for a one-hour workshop with award-wining children’s book author and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal. First, Juana will read aloud Zonia’s Rain Forest and La selva de Zonia. You will learn about the Peruvian Amazon, and get a chance to draw some of its inhabitants with her.
Advanced registration is now closed. Space is limited. Participants must supply their own materials.
Materials you’ll need:
- Paper
- Something to draw with (pen/crayon/marker/pencil)
Virtual Play Date activities are designed for kids and their grownups to participate together. Workshops will be held on Zoom and will be live and interactive. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Captioning is available and slides for this workshop will be provided to everyone. Are there additional accommodations that would be useful to help you fully participate? (e.g. ASL, post-program transcript)? Let us know at accessibility@icaboston.org.
Author Bio
Juana Martinez-Neal is the daughter and granddaughter of painters. Alma and How She Got Her Name was her first book as author-illustrator. She is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, a Sibert Medal and a Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration. Juana was born in Peru, and lives in Connecticut with her family.
Self-Serve:
Downloadable Activity
What’s your story? Read between the lines with new activities to do at home, outside, or even in the galleries at the ICA. This month’s activities are designed by Boston kid-lit writer and artist Genie Reyes, and Boston artist Noah Grigni and will be available on the ICA website beginning on 8/27.
“My Own Artful Library” by Genie Reyes
“Dream Portal” by Noah Grigni
Reading List
Dive into this custom reading list designed by our friends at the Boston Public Library and explore young artists, famous artists, and the rich world of artmaking with the family!
In-Person:
Free Admission for Families
Sat, Aug 28 | 10 AM – 5 PM – tickets required!
Reserve free museum tickets for families today
On Sat, Aug 28, museum admission is FREE for families when accompanied by kids ages 12 and under, with up to 2 adults per family. Timed tickets must be reserved online in advance. Please request your ticket at least 24 hours in advance so our team has time to process your order. Tickets requested day-of are not guaranteed. In-person and all on-site programming has currently been suspended. More details here
Explore the galleries with self-guided activities available on-site during Play Dates. Snack on kid-friendly food options available for purchase at the SunBar.
Outdoor Music by the Rubin Brothers
During Free Admission for Families on Aug 28, enjoy live music outside from 2:30 – 4 PM by the Rubin Brothers— swing era jazz musicians, vaudevillians, variety show producers, and jazz clowns! Come watch them sing and play double bass, tuba, trumpet, and guitar; juggle, and perform comedic songs drawn from a wide repertoire of music from the 1910s through 1960s.
Musician Bios
A.J. and Colescott Rubin are instrumentalists, vocalists, old school entertainers, & jazz clowns from Portland, Oregon who aim to lift spirits and make smiles wherever they go, performing jazz, blues, & popular songs of yesteryear with a light hearted energy and danceable beat. Current and graduated students of Berklee College of Music, respectively, they have performed across the country and in many countries, including festivals and clubs in New Orleans, San Diego, Moscow, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and other places. They have performed, recorded, and/or collaborated with Esperanza Spalding, Patrice Rushen, Catherine Russell, Charmaine Neville & John Legend, among others. The Rubins just this summer were given the Boston Opportunity Fund Award by the City of Boston to support their artistic careers. Joined by some of New England’s top swing style musicians, they play every Friday at the Burren Back Patio in Davis Square, Somerville, as well as swing dances, shindigs, hootenannies, jamborees & soirées across New England.
Swing to their music here and find them on instagram here.
Activity Bags!
Free activity bags for kids will be available on-site with self-guided art activities that can be used in the lobby, in the galleries, or outside! Activity bag quantities are limited, and first come, first served.
Check out our next Play Date in September.
Plan ahead!
Questions? Reach us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Your support helps keeps programs like this – both virtual and in-person – free and accessible in this time of uncertainty. If you are able, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time gift to support the ICA.
ICA Kids and Family programs are supported, in part, by Vivien and Alan Hassenfeld, the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, the Willow Tree Fund, and Raymond T. & Ann T. Mancini Family Foundation.
This event is created in partnership with the Boston Public Library.
