Milwaukee Art Museum and Kohl’s Department Stores Present New Kohl’s Art Generation Program
Milwaukee Art Museum and Kohl’s Department Stores Present New Kohl’s Art Generation Program
New Art Education Gallery, Hands-on Art Studio for Kids and Families Opens May 2, 2009 Contact:
Holly Langdon, Cramer-Krasselt, 414-227-3414, hlangdon@c-k.com
Jonas Wittke, Milwaukee Art Museum, 414-224-3291, jonas.wittke@mam.org
Brigid Globensky, Milwaukee Art Museum, 414-224-3822, Brigid.globensky@mam.org
Tara Geiter-Kereven, Kohl’s Department Stores, 262-703-6312, tara.geiter-kereven@kohls.com
MILWAUKEE – Is the next Picasso dabbling in the fine art of finger paint? Or maybe sidewalk chalk? That’s what the Milwaukee Art Museum is hoping to find out with a new program for kids and families made possible by a $1 million gift from Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS). The gift was announced in March of last year.
On Saturday, May 2, 2009, at 10 a.m., the public can get its first look at Milwaukee Art Museum’s new gallery and hands-on art studio where kids can learn about and create art. These enhancements to the Museum’s offerings for children and families are part of Kohl’s Art Generation, a fun new youth art education program.
“Art is about creativity. It’s about fun and excitement. We want to give kids an opportunity to experience and express art on their terms,” said Brigid Globensky, senior director of education and public programs at the Milwaukee Art Museum. “That’s why we’re thrilled to offer the Kohl’s Art Generation program. Together with Kohl’s Department Stores, we’ve developed a truly fun program that will engage children and families in the joy of art and the creative process. And yes, we provide clean-up.”
The Kohl’s Art Generation gallery educates children on the fundamentals of art, while the studio features a variety of hands-on activities and art projects—fresh and different every month—that children and families can work on together. The program provides art education and opportunities for creative expression at a time when visual and performing art resources at schools are stretched.
“At Kohl’s, part of our mission is to support children’s health and education initiatives in the communities we are a part of, and this is especially true here in our hometown. We’re proud to partner with the Milwaukee Art Museum to bring Kohl’s Art Generation to local families,” said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Kohl’s Department Stores. “This is such a unique and exciting program that encourages creativity among kids and provides a unique environment for self expression.”
The gallery is open during regular Museum hours, which are Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The studio is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access to these areas is free with Museum admission, which is $12 for adults and $10 for students over age 12. Kids 12 and under and Museum members are free. Classes are available in the studio for a fee on Saturdays. Call (414) 224-3803 for class details and registration.
A Mobile Art Experience
In addition to the features at the Museum, the Kohl’s Art Generation program is bringing art into the community. Watch for the Kohl’s Color Wheels van, a mobile art studio for kids that will be making appearances at local festivals and events throughout the summer. The first appearance will be at the Museum on May 31, 2009. Also, the Museum is working with area elementary schools to offer educational and creative art events for students and families to participate in together.
Details on the entire Kohl’s Art Generation program, a comprehensive calendar, and tips to help families plan a visit to the Museum can be found on a new Web site, mam.org/artgeneration.
The Kohl’s Art Generation program is the latest offering in a variety of family-oriented activities available at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
“We have a lot of wonderful weekend family programs at the Milwaukee Art Museum,” said Dan Keegan, Museum Director. “With the Kohl’s Art Generation program, we want to invite everyone to access our collection and our onsite activities, especially those who haven’t visited the Museum before. Kohl’s commitment to this program and the Milwaukee community makes that possible.”
About Kohl’s
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. By the end of April, Kohl’s will operate 1,022 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $126 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids® philanthropic program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.
About the Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum’s far-reaching holdings include more than 20,000 works spanning antiquity to the present day. With a history dating back to 1888, the Museum’s strengths are in 19th- and 20th-century American and European art, contemporary art, American decorative arts, and folk and self-taught art. The Museum includes the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion, named by Time magazine “Best Design of 2001.”
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© Copyright 2009 Milwaukee Art Museum