Nestled on a quaint street in Chelsea, The Rubin Museum of Art is a trove of art, culture, and ideas from the Himalayas and surrounding regions. The presentation of these beautiful artifacts and the visual learning experience they provide—along with a rich slate of kid-friendly programming—make the Rubin Museum of Art a great destination for kids and families.
As visitors make their way up the museum’s silver spiral staircase, they’ll find warmly painted rooms showcasing sculptures with golden accents, and scrolls of art hanging on the walls. The first floor introduces visitors to Himalayan art, as the process of traditional art-making is displayed and the context of the different regional influences, which includes Nepal, Tibet, India, Mongolia, China, is explained. To understand the intricate deities on paintings and sculptures–a central thread among the artwork–a general guide on the wall explains what the gods’ signature gestures and poses mean. After getting a feel for the work, guests can head up to the other galleries to see Himalayan masterpieces, Tibetan Buddhist artwork from the late 12th century, a gallery dedicated to 5th and 6th-century Buddhist art of Kashmir, and masks from different regions near the Himalayas.
As part of Rubin’s upcoming family programming, the museum will host a free summer block party (at West 17th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues) on Sunday, July 19, where families can enjoy a day filled with art-making and outdoor performances and take a free tour of the galleries. Inspired by the current exhibition “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks,” the theme of transformation will connect contemporary life to Himalayan art and ideas.
Beyond the upcoming block party, here are five reasons to take the kids to the Rubin right now:
Experience the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room
The popular immersive experience of the Tibetan Shrine Room will attract both children and adults, as they envelop themselves in a dark room filled with ornate, religious sculptures, rich paintings on wooden panels, flickering lights and soft, chanting music. Visitors will not only witness a spectacular site but also leave the room feeling calm and content. This fall, the room will be expanding and moving to the fourth floor as part of the exhibition “Sacred Spaces,” which focuses on devotion.
Enjoy Family Sundays
Sundays at the Rubin are for families! Drop in between 1 and 4 pm on Sundays to participate in fun art-making activities at the Education Center, and go on a family tour of the museum. This month, kids can enjoy creating a sandalwood painting of their favorite animals and designs inspired by the exhibition “Gateway to Himalayan Art.” What’s more, Family Sundays are now free of charge due to a recent sponsorship from New York Life. Family Sunday activities are designed for children ages 3 and up.
Participate in a Family Art Lab
On the second Saturday of every month, enrich your visit to the Rubin by bringing the family to Family Art Lab. While Family Sundays move at a more leisurely, drop-in pace, Family Art Lab is an immersive, two-hour workshop where both children 5 and up and adults can explore the galleries and create art inspired by the collections. Himalayan puppetry, gold-leafing, mask-making, and sand mandalas are some of the featured projects.
Visit “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks”
On the top floor of the Rubin is the exhibition “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks,” where visitors can view masks in extravagant designs and colors from Northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia, Japan, and Native American Tribes of the North American northwest. The mask is a powerful symbol in many cultures, as it not only protects and disguises, but also allows one to take on the identity of the character the mask represents. Kids will like the Virtually Masked interactive feature, where guests can “try on” masks from the exhibition and take pictures to share with friends via email or social media. (Open through February 8, 2016.)
Dine at Café Serai
At the end of their tour, visitors can experience some delicious Himalayan food at Café Serai, located on the first floor in a bright, open space. Choose from a light sampling of naan, pulled BBQ pork bao bun, beet salad, or expand your taste buds and try charred octopus, chicken tikka masala, or blackened swordfish with side dishes – all at reasonable prices. A children’s menu is also available.
To learn more about the Rubin Museum, visit rubinmuseum.org!
