Two popular monthly programs utilizing art to enhance education return in September at the Albany Museum of Art. Toddler Takeover takes place on the first Tuesday of the month. Homeschool Day takes place on the second Thursday. Both programs will continue through May 2025.

“We pause these programs during the summer months because of our busy art camp schedule,” AMA Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said. “We will restart Toddler Takeover on Sept 3—the day after Labor Day. Homeschool Day will be back in session on Thursday, Sept 12.”

Homeschool Day is a 90-minute program that starts at 10 am. Geared toward kindergarten through fifth-grade students, Homeschool Day provides a rich visual environment to address topics such as cultural awareness and understanding, critical thinking skills, and practical, real-life application of literature, history, mathematics, language arts, science, and geography. The students learn together in an AMA gallery and then work on a take-home project in the museum’s classroom.

“In the classroom, students practice new artistic techniques, grow social skills, improve fine motor skills, and foster creativity,” Vanoteghem said. “This in-gallery and hands-on exposure complements traditional homeschooling methods, enhancing their understanding of various subjects.”

The dates for Homeschool Day during the 2024-25 school year are Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12, Jan 9, Feb 13, March 13, April 10, and May 8. The cost is $10 for AMA donors, and $15 for non-donors. Information and registration links may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/homeschool-day.

The month opens with Toddler Takeover, which caters to the museum’s youngest visitors. The 30-minute program starts at 10:30 am and is designed for children ages 15 months to 5 years.

“The kiddos have so much fun they don’t realize they are learning,” Vanoteghem said. “We visit a gallery, read a story in AMAzing Space, and do a take-home art project in the AMA Classroom. It facilitates creative play, fosters friendships and social skills, and helps littles develop their cognitive and visual skills through colors, shapes, and textures.”

While the program is for toddlers, parents can bring siblings. After Toddler Takeover, families are welcome to enjoy AMAzing Space, the museum’s activity center which is free and open to the public.

The dates for Toddler Takeover are Sept 3, Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, March 4, April 8, and May 6. The April date is pushed back a week to accommodate the museum’s spring break art camp. Toddler Takeover is free for AMA donors at the Reciprocal or higher level, $5 for Artist Guild donors, and $7 for non-donors. Information and registration links may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/toddler-takeover.

“We’re always super excited when a new school year starts and we get to help kids and students along their educational journey by expanding their horizons and introducing new perspectives through art,” Vanoteghem said. “We’re looking forward to another art-filled year of creative fun and learning.”

Those with questions about the programs may contact Vanoteghem by emailing [email protected] or calling her at 229.439.8400.