Keep Kids Smart with ART for Your Staying at Home Kids

A new series of free online programs called Keep Kids Smart with ART will aim to help parents and their children who are home from school, along with other new digital online visual arts programs at no cost for all ages, including seniors who are keeping social distance and who might feel isolated.

The team at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and the teachers at its Art School campus, are creating these new free online initiatives for parents and students. This new series of free online programs, featuring Keep Kids Smart with ART will begin this Friday, March 20th. The link will be here. *The first content will be added on Friday.

These ideas resulted from consulting with an American father who lives abroad with his family. He shared his experience, strength and hope about the challenges his family has faced while staying at home due to school closures because of the coronavirus.

The Museum team sees this as a way to give back to the community and to be of service during this challenging time. Also further below are tips for parents on how to use art at home with their children, to keep kids engaged.

Eye to I: Self Portraits from the National Portrait Gallery

The Ultimate Collection of “Selfies” by America’s Leading Artists: from 1901 through 2015

The term self-conscious takes on a whole new meaning in today’s social media era. At a time when millions of selfies are posted every day and identity is proving to be more fluid, this exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery shines a new light on self-portraiture and representation.

Untitled, from the series When I am not Here, Estoy alla, by Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons. Dye diffusion transfer print (1996). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Julia P. and Horacio Herzberg. © María M. Campos-Pons.

Chosen as the cover for the exhibition catalogue, the artist used her own body to map out feelings of translocation from place to place.

The bilingual title is in half-Spanish and means When I am not Here, I am There.

She stands with her eyes closed, as though transported between territories while holding on to her Afro-Caribbean talismans.

Elaine de Kooning Self-Portrait. Oil on Masonite (1946). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Mirror, Mirror; Mulatta Seeking Inner Negress II by Alison Saar. Woodcut on chine-collé (2015). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Lee Simonson Self-Portrait. Oil on canvas (c. 1912). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Karl and Jody Simonson; Frame conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee

Shimomura Crossing the Delaware, by Roger Shimomura. Acrylic on canvas (2010). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired through the generosity of Raymond L. Ocampo Jr., Sandra Oleksy Ocampo, and Robert P. Ocampo © 2010, Roger Shimomura

Dr. Brandon Brame Fortune.

“These individuals have approached self-portraiture at various points in history and using different tools, but their representations ─ especially when seen together ─ all raise important questions about self-perception and self-reflection,” said Brandon Brame Fortune, chief curator, Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

“Some artists reveal intimate details of their inner lives through self-portraiture, while others use the genre to obfuscate their private selves or invent alter egos.”

Following is the updated statement from Irvin Lippman, the executive director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art:

“Art, culture, and creativity have always made a difference in powerful ways, especially during challenging times. We are grateful for your support and plan to give back to the community.”

“Being inspired and creative have not been canceled.”

“A special new series called Keep Kids Smart with ART will be available online to help parents and their children who are home from school.  You will also find other new digital programs especially made by the Museum, for all ages. We will continue our service to the community by creating new virtual educational and enriching experiences online and via our social media channels. Follow and connect on social media (@bocamuseum, #BocaMuseumfromHome).” Read the full statement about the Museum’s temporary closing here.

— Irvin Lippman, executive director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art

According to the National School Boards Association, kids who study art are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. Studies show that art helps kids earn higher report card grades because skills developed through art lead to better learning in other areas.

Tips for parents and students on using art in your home:

• Provide a special “creative zone” at home.
• Make sure that your “creative zone” is mess-friendly and able to stand up well to spills and art-related fun.
• Focus on the fun process, not on the outcome.
• Create a special area to showcase your child’s artwork.
• Watch and encourage your children as they work on their art.
• Ask them questions to engage them while they create.