Visual Arts (and Crafts) By John Kelly and Craig Stoltz From the book "Kid-O-Rama" Copyright 1998

The front of your refrigerator should be proof enough that art is important to most kids. Art exhibits can be, too. We know what you may be thinking: The hear-a-pin-drop surroundings, the marble floors, the heapin' helpings of high culture — galleries and girls and boys don't mix. Well, you may be surprised. For the most part, while children care little about art history or art movements or even artists, they do like cool pictures. The key is not to overdo an art museum. See what the kids want to see, bail out when they get restless.

Many museums in this chapter have special programs designed with kids in mind. Most require reservations, so call for information. Many also publish free or low-cost family guides. These point you toward specific works, engage you in scavenger hunts and provide puzzles and trivia. While they're useful, we've found that the guides are not the magic bullet you might be seeking. By all means, pick one up (especially if it's free), but recognize that younger kids may not have the patience to work through the suggested activities.

Here's something we've tried with success: Have each child wear a backpack that holds (in addition to snacks) a pad of paper and sharpened color pencils. If they come across masterpieces they like, have them sketch their own versions. That will help them focus better on the art, and other patrons will regard you as the clever parents you no doubt are. And keep in mind other places where they can watch art being made or where they can make things themselves.

National Gallery of Art	Corcoran Gallery of Art	Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
National Museum of African Art	National Museum of American Art	National Museum of Women in the Arts
National Portrait Gallery	Phillips Collection	Renwick Gallery
	Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art

Art Museum of the Americas	Mexican Cultural Institute	The Textile Museum
	B'nai B'rith Klutznik Museum

The District	Maryland	Virginia
Made By You - Connecticut Ave.	Made By You - Bethesda	Made By You - Arlington
Made By You - Wisconsin Ave.	Made By You - Annapolis	The Mud Factory
		Paint Your Own Pottery

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