The new school year has begun, and so has a new series of monthly educational programs at the Albany Museum of Art. Two after-school art workshops begin later this month, and programs for homeschoolers and toddlers relaunch in early September.

“We’re excited that another school year of art-inspired education is about to start,” Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Van Oteghem said. “We pause the programs over the summer because of our packed schedule of weeklong art camps, so our monthly programs for kids and students coincide with the school year. We have a lot of great projects and ideas to explore over the next nine months!”

First up will be a pair of afternoon art workshops for students. The After School Art Club for elementary school students is on Tuesday, Aug 26, and the club for middle and high school students meets on Wednesday, Aug 27. Both clubs meet from 3:30 pm to 5 pm in the AMA Classroom.

“This is a new time and day of the week for the middle and high school club, which formerly met a little later on Mondays,” Van Oteghem said. “The clubs will typically meet on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, but in November and December they will be earlier because of the holidays.”

In this engaging series of classes, students will build essential skills in a variety of art forms, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and others. “Each session introduces students to a new medium or technique, offering a fun and supportive environment to explore and grow their artistic talents,” Van Oteghem said.

Dates for the first half of the series are: elementary students—Aug 26, Sept 30, Oct 28, Nov 18, and Dec 16; middle and high school students—Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 29, Nov 19, and Dec 17.

The cost per session is $15 ($12 for AMA donors). The online registration link can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/art-club/.

On Sept 2, Toddler Takeover will resume. Typically conducted on the first Tuesday of the month, the 30-minute program, which starts at 10:30 am, includes a gallery visit, story time, and a take-home art project.

“Toddler Takeover is designed to facilitate creative play, foster friendships and social skills, and help our youngest museum-goers develop their cognitive and visual skills through colors, shapes, and textures,” Van Oteghem said. “It’s for kids 15 months old to 5 years old and their parents or caregivers, but it’s sibling-friendly, so brother or sister can come too.”
Dates for 2025-26 are Sept 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, and May 5. There is no April program because of Spring Break Art Camp.

The cost per session is $7 ($5 for AMA Artist Guild donors and free for AMA donors at the Reciprocal level or higher). The online registration link can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/toddler-takeover/.

A week later, on Sept 11, Homeschool Day will be back in session. The monthly 90-minute program, which ties STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education lessons to current exhibitions, starts at 10 am, typically on the second Thursday of each month.

Designed for homeschooled students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade, Homeschool Day includes a gallery visit and a work-together project in the AMA Classroom.

“We provide a rich, visual environment that addresses a wide range of topics such as cultural awareness and understanding, critical thinking skills, and practice real-life application of literature, history, mathematics, language arts, and science,” Van Oteghem said. “It provides a tremendous benefit to homeschooled students.”

In the classroom, students practice various artistic techniques, develop their social skills, enhance their fine motor skills, and cultivate creativity. “This in-gallery and hands-on exposure complements traditional homeschooling methods, enhancing their understanding of various subjects,” she said, adding the program is drop-off optional.

Dates for the 2025-26 school year are Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb 12, March 12, and May 14. There is no April program because of Spring Break Art Camp.

The cost per session is $15 ($10 for AMA donors). The online registration link can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/homeschool-day/.

“Art is an important part of a well-rounded education, and we hope your family will let the Albany Museum of Art be part of your child’s education experience,” Van Oteghem said. “Creative learning is something that benefits students throughout their lives.”

Those with questions can contact Van Oteghem at [email protected] or call her at 229.439.8400.

UPCOMING AMA EXHIBITIONS

• Echoes of the Past is Sept 4, 2025-Jan 3, 2026 in the Haley, East, and Hodges Galleries

• A Legacy Built with Nature: Menaboni at 130 is Sept 4, 2025-Jan 3, 2026 in the McCormack Gallery.

• Framing Time: 20^th and 21^st Century Photography from the Permanent Collection is Sept 4-Nov 1, 2025, in the West Gallery.

• The 2^nd Annual Southwest Georgia Juried Student Art Exhibition is Nov 15, 2025-Jan 3, 2026 in the West Gallery.