Our summer programs are organized into two series—Stories in Art (ages 4-7) and Artful Conversations (ages 8-11)—designed to engage children and parents with works of art in the galleries. While many of the Gallery's family programs work with a broad range of ages, these summer programs are age-specific. Children's developmental stages have been taken into account in the planning of the programs, so as a courtesy to the group, we will only accept sign-in for children in the age ranges listed.

These free programs are designed for individual families, and we cannot accommodate groups. Space is limited to 70 children per session. There is no advance registration; participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-in for all summer programs will take place in the West Building Rotunda. Sign-in begins at 10:00 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled. Each program lasts approximately 60 minutes. Program times, dates, and topics follow. For information, call (202) 789-3030.

(ages 4 to 7) This series of programs uses storytelling to introduce children to works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children's book, looking at one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple hands-on activity. The summer series is presented in a four-year cycle—Explore Italy, Discover Dutch Art, Tour de France, American Adventure—each topic highlighting a different part of the permanent collection.

(ages 8 to 11) Designed for children and adults to participate together, this series of programs uses observation and discussion to explore works of art in the collection. Led by museum educators, each program includes looking at one work of art in the galleries accompanied by a sketching activity.

Many museum visitors spend only seconds looking at a work of art. Find out what you can discover when you have an hour to explore one work of art! Bring your observation skills, imagination, curiosity, and creativity to these guided discussions that delve deep into masterpieces from the Gallery's collection. Each participant will receive a booklet to accompany this series and a stamp for each program attended. If you have three or more stamps at the end of the summer, you will receive a prize!
 

Subscribe to Our Free E-mail Newsletters
Stay up to date with the National Gallery of Art by subscribing to our free e-mail newsletters: CASVA, educators, exhibitions, family programs, fellowships/internships, films, gallery talks/lectures, music programs, teen programs, and Web. Select as many updates as you wish to receive. To edit your subscriber information, please go to our subscription management page.