Baltimore Family Attractions: The Walters Art Museum Part 1

nThe Walters Art Museum is located at 600 North Charles Street in Baltimore’s historic Mt. Vernon Cultural District. Mt. Vernon’s Cultural District is about one mile north of the Inner Harbor. The museum is located near the MTA bus lines (Nos. 3, 11, 31, 61 and 64) and the Centre Street Light Rail stop. Main entrance to the museum is located on Centre Street near the corner of Centre and Cathedral Streets.nnParkingnnA staffed parking lot is located across the street from the museum at Centre and Cathedral streets. If you will stop by the Visitor Information Desk to get your parking ticket stamped you become eligible for a reduced parking rate.nnOther nearby parking lots includes:nn• The Peabody Garage at Centre and St. Paul Streetsn• The Franklin Street Garage on West Franklin Street between Charles and Cathedraln• An open lot between West Franklin Street and Centre Street near Park Avenuen• The Peabody Court Hotel at the corner of Cathedral and Monument Streets offers valet parking.n• Metered parking nnIncidentally, the Walters Art Museum was just recently named one of the Top 10 admission-free attractions on the East Coast by AAA (2007).nnAn education in the arts benefits a child’s overall ability to learn. Family time in an art museum can make learning fun experiences for all involved. Family programs allow children and their families a fun and informal way to explore 55 centuries of art at the Walters Art Museum.nnThe Walters Art Museum Family Program features are:nn• Walk, wonder and create family toursn• Drop-In Art Activitiesn• Scouting Programsn• Birthday Celebrationsn• Summer Campn• Family Flick Daysn• Free Family Festivalsn• Gallery Funn• Art Cartsn• Discovery Quiltsn• Family Guidesn• Art Sacksn• Family Audio Guiden• Wondrous Journey PassportsnnWalk, Wonder and Create Family ToursnnAn excellent way to learn more about the art objects found at the Walters Art Museum is their Walk, Wonder and Create Family Tours. The tours are held on selected Saturdays at 1 p.m. for 45 minutes. Visitors of all ages can enjoy an interactive, guided tour of the museum’s collections, or special exhibitions. After the tour you can visit the Family Art Center to create a project of your own.nnDrop-in Art Activities in the Family Art CenternnNo registration is required for the drop-in art activities. You can go at anytime during the hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, make and take with you a piece of art you create. Museum Educators will help children and their families create artful projects related to the collection, special exhibitions and family tours. There is a new activity each week.nnScouting ProgramsnnThe Walters Art Museum invites girl and boy scouts of all ages to learn about the world of art and earn merit badges. The current price is $10 per scout and no charge for adult chaperones (2007). The scouting program is an interactive, two-hour program that includes:nn• A guided tour of selected artworks by a trained educatorn• Hands-on art activity based on specific badge guidelinesn• Specially designed Walters participatory patchnnFor private workshops focusing on Brownie/Junior Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts contact the museum (you will find more contact information for the Walters Art Museum by visiting the link to my web site in the resource box of this article. Once inside the web site, scroll down the left side menu bar to the category of “Family Attractions Contact Information and Links.”)nnSenior Girl Scots and Cadettes can work towards earning their Museum Discovery Interest Project on an independent basis.nnBirthdaysnnArt activities and gallery adventures can make birthday celebrations very memorable at the Walters Art Museum. Birthday parties are available for children age 4 – 10. Parties last two hours and include 90 minutes of hands-on experiences. The hands-on experiences include a tour and art activities, followed by a 30-minute birthday celebration. Current price in 2007 is $300 for members and $360 for non-members. Maximum number of children at each party is 15. One adult chaperone is required for every 5 children. No charge for the adult chaperones. Maximum of 30 guests total.nnThe museum provides cups, plates, utensils, napkins and juice, goody bags for each child, birthday JAM and WAM party invitations. For more information visit the link at the end of this article for contact information to the Family Programs at the Walter Art Museum.nnFun-filled party themes include:nn• Quest for the Mummyn• The King is Coming!n• New! Legend of the Samurain• New! Jungle JamboreennSummer CampnnEach piece of artwork has a unique story to it. Summer camps offer morning and afternoon classes, or a child can bring lunch and stay for both classes. It is a great way for children to learn about large paintings, small sculptures, cartoons, and more.nnFees include guidance by professional art educators, tours of the museum, art materials, snacks and creative activities to promote intellectual and creative growth as well as the exploration of world cultures.nnContinued in Part 2nnnnThis article is FREE to publish with the resource box.nn© 2007 Connie Limon all rights reserved