Museum Education Programs, Participation

Admittedly, I can be very suspicious of “Education” programs in art spaces. When I took my nanny kids to the Joslyn in Omaha, NE this past summer, they either liked the museum and therefore liked the “Education” (Kids) area, or they hated the museum and that hate tainted their experience of the things made to be accessible to them. I also have a fear of the only jobs in art spaces left are social media interns and roles in the education department. No shade to that, and I actually really enjoy teaching and engaging with children about art and sports and school and nature and all of the things .

At the Hamburger Bahnhof, I just happened to be there when they had an open studio. It was a nice break from the installations, a mid point, where I could sit and watch other people ake art while making some of my own.

I think that when you give people the space and materials to do what they want, good things happen. When people feel free and can play unrestrained, they are their happiest. At least, that is how I was as a child and am now as an adult. In this lovely open studio discovered I like to draw on black paper with clunky, white materials. I found a new, thinner pink-tape that I like. An older man explained how to use the typewriter in the space, and helped a little boy play with it. The man’s drawing is included below.

Child and Typewriter

The Man Looking at His Drawing

His Drawing

New Tape

My Drawings

I think that I think education programs are looked down upon, which is stupid. I think that I think children’s programs can be overproduced. Thank you Hamburger Bahnhof for the lovely, meditative time. Thank you to the people that facility creativity and freedom of thought.

Fuck Ice