By the mid 1800s, Frederic Church had become a prominent American landscape painter, and was the youngest artist ever elected to the prestigious National Academy of Design. Here we see Church moving away from the mostly calm, pastoral mood of many early … Learn More
The museum galleries have re-opened, however, in-person events remain on hold. Online events such as performances, lectures, art programs, and more are occuring and details can be found at our virtual Museum at Home!
The Albany Institute is a place where people of all ages can learn and have fun. Our family programs provide enriching educational experiences about art and history in an atmosphere that is diverse, compelling, and entertaining. From weekend programs to family festivals, from school-vacation art programs to pre-school programming, the Albany Institute offers a wide variety of activities that will appeal to your family.
For programs that require a fee, payment is required at the time of registration.
For more information, or to register for a program, please contact our Director of Art Programs, Sarah Clowe at 518-463-4478, ext. 435, or clowes@albanyinstitute.org.
Sign up to join our family program email list to hear more about our children's programming: Family Program Email Sign Up
Test out your engineering and art skills with us as we examine images of boats in paintings from the exhibition A Sense of Time: The Historical Art of L. F. Tantillo and use them to spark our own imaginative creations. Each participant will receive wooden paddle boat kit starter materials and we’ll brainstorm how to decorate or develop the kit further. Designs could recreate the historical boats depicted in L.F. Tantillo’s paintings or may be new creations dreamed up by the builder. Participants may pick up the materials kit at the museum a week before the event. This program will be held online via Zoom. Register online.
$20.00
Family Friendly: Wednesday, April 7 • 10:00am - 11:00am
All hands-on deck! The Half Moon in Newburgh Bay by LF Tantillo is full of details that museum educator
Victoria needs help exploring. Participants will use their close-looking skills to discover how Henry
Hudson sailed across an ocean and up the Hudson River to present day Albany. This family friendly
activity is open to all ages, with no background in art required. Registration required. Suggested donation of $10.
VIRTUAL S.T.E.A.M. WORKSHOP
Recycled Sailboat Models
Thursday, April 8, 10-11:30 AM | Suggested Donation, $10
Ages 6-12
Join us as we combine technology and engineering with art as we take inspiration from the sailboats present in the work of artist L.F. Tantillo currently on view in the museum. We’ll showcase how to make a sailboat model out of recycled materials with an option of adding more movement through the air power of a balloon. Participants may provide their own materials or pick up a recycled materials kit at the museum a week before the event. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online.
Materials: Empty & rinsed paper half-gallon milk carton, straws, paper, tape and or glue, crayons, optional: rubber bands, and balloons
$15.00
Adult: Friday, April 23 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Join us for a guided painting experience via Zoom while we take inspiration from the painting Dawn of Morning, Lake George, by Jasper Francis Cropsey currently on view in The Hudson River School: Landscape Paintings from the Albany Institute exhibition. Artist Noreen Powell will lead participants through the process of creating a landscape scene featuring a double rainbow. Participants may choose to use their own paints and canvas for a reduced ticket price or to purchase a workshop ticket that includes all necessary materials. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online.
New to Zoom? Here are some resources to get started:
Download Zoom: Zoom
Watch a video tutorial: Zoom Tutorial
Meeting ID: The class meeting ID will be emailed prior to the start time
With Zoom we are able to see one another work on our paintings, and interact through talking, video of both the instructor and peers, and a clear view of instruction such as color mixing.
If you are providing your own materials the suggested canvas or painting surface size is 11"x14" and the suggested acrylic paint colors will be announced closer to the workshop. (Previous paint palettes with this artist have included Cadmium Yellow Light, Quinacridone Magenta, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Siena, and Titanium White.)
For further questions about this program, you may email clowes@albanyinstitute.org
$30.00
Comment by Brenell mayfield | 03/21/2014
Love this place
Comment by Teddi McCarthy | 05/24/2017
Interested in a summer programfor 8yr old girl
Reply by Sarah Clowe
Hello Teddi,
Thank you for your interest in summer programming here at the Albany Institute. Here is a link to the Artful Mornings summer program offerings: http://www.albanyinstitute.org/educationproduct/product/Artful-Mornings-2017.html We hope to see you and your young artists this summer!
Comment by Jennifer Santspree | 02/09/2019
Will you be holding Artful mornings this summer
Reply by Sarah Clowe
Comment by Raphel peralta | 01/29/2021
Can I order multiple sets? I’d like to get for all the kids to do-
Museum Reply:
Hi Raphel, thank you for your interest in the art kits! Yes, you absolutely can order multiple sets. We ask that if someone would like to make a large order (such as 10 or more) for a whole class that they get in touch with our Director of Art Programs, Sarah Clowe directly so we can ensure we have enough prepared in stock.