Educational Programs for Formal and Informal Learning Experiences

At this time, the museum is hosting both virtual and in-person programming. Click on the event titles to learn more.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING IS SUBJECT TO COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES, AND IF CURRENT COMMUNITY COVID RATES ARE UP IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING MAY BE PAUSED OR SCHEDULED EVENTS CONVERTED TO VIRTUAL PLATFORMS.

The Education Department connects our community to our collections and exhibitions by providing lifelong-learning opportunities.

We develop programs for school children and their teachers that provide formal learning experiences to support curricula.

We also offer a full range of exciting and engaging informal learning programs that help people of all ages connect to arts and culture and to each other.

Upcoming Events

2:00pm–3:30pm Join us for a lecture with Drew Shuptar-Rayvis as he presents the lecture, “Corn, Beans, Squash, and You: How to Get into Horticulture on Your Own” and introduces the Three Sisters (Corn, Beans, and Squash), tobacco and the many other edible and medicinal plants native to eastern North America and instructs on how to incorporate them into a modern garden. 

2:00pm–3:00pm Join us for an afternoon of storytelling with the Story Circle at Proctors as they present, “Tales from the Collection: Everything Has a Story” on Sunday, June 11th at 2:00 pm! “Tales from the Collection” will feature the voices of five local storytellers: Eileen Egan Mack, Karen Pillsworth, Kate Dudding, Mary Murphy, and Beverly Schwartz.

9:00am–12:00pm Calling all young artists, ages six through twelve! Join us at the Albany Institute for fun, hands-on activities led by our art instructors. Prepare to learn new things, experiment with new ideas, connect with new people, and make beautiful works of art. Throughout the summer we will explore Ancient Egypt, fashionable design, watercolors and more! Topics are divided by week and the three-day-long sessions are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Projects are inspired by the museum's exhibitions and permanent collections!

10:30am–11:15am Join us for a special story time with Linda MacRitchie Graf, author and illustrator of the children’s book, Treasure in the Trunk, followed by a crafting activity!  

2:00pm–3:00pm Join us for a lecture with Nancy Siegel as she discusses the life and career of Susie M. Bastow (1836-1923), a prolific artist and notable figure in the field of American landscape painting. Siegel will discuss Barstow’s life and work within the context of the Hudson River School using her extensive research into archival materials including letters, diaries, photographs, paintings and more.  

2:00pm–3:00pm Join us for a book talk with author Katherine Manthorne as she discusses her latest book, Fidelia Bridges: Nature into Art. This biography provides the first comprehensive written account of Fidelia Bridges’ life as the best-selling female artist in post-Civil War America. The book celebrates her success across a broad range of endeavors, from her work as a watercolorist to a greeting card creator and nature conservator.