Programs

Youth and Family

<h1> Youth and Family </h1>

Activities and videos inspired by Mia&#8217;s Family Day to enjoy with your family, wherever you are.
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Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting at Mini Mia. This free program, for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, takes place on the first Wednesday of every month.
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Art Play! is your chance to experiment—a different medium each month. Go on a scavenger hunt to find works in that medium in Mia’s collection, then make your own artwork in our studios! No prompts, no rules, just play.
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Come make art with us! Mia provides free art activities for all ages at these Minneapolis park events. Join us and try our various art projects.
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Studio Sessions are Mia’s monthly art classes. These classes offer experienced artmakers and curious novices alike the opportunity to create projects inspired by Mia’s collection and special exhibitions.
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With a variety of art-making ideas, fun activities, and learning resources, you can engage with Mia from wherever you are.
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Mia’s Family Center is a drop-in space for families to enjoy kid-friendly books and toys or just let out a little energy. A private restroom and nursing room are available. Open daily during museum hours.
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<h1>Youth and Family</h1>
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<h2 class="h2-large-alt">Make memories every month at Family Day, get creative in studio programs, and play and learn with your toddler in the <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/programs/youth-and-family/family-center/">Family Center</a>.</h2>
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Art in the Park 2025

Studio Sessions

Art Play!

Come make art with us! Mia provides free art activities for all ages at these Minneapolis park events. Join us to celebrate the warm weather and try our various art projects.
<h2>June Events</h2>
June 10 Bottineau Park, 6 p.m. (2000 2nd St NE) 
June 11 MLK Rec Center, 6 p.m. (4055 Nicollet Ave S) 
June 12 North Commons Park, 6 p.m. (1801 James Ave N) 
June 17 Luxton Park, 4 p.m. (112 Williams Ave SE) 
June 18 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N) 
June 25 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N)
<h2>July Events</h2>
July 2 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N) 
July 8 Hiawatha School Park, 6 p.m. (4305 42nd St) 
July 9 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N) 
July 10 Whittier Park, 5:30 p.m. (1801 Stevens Ave) 
July 14 Waite Park, 6 p.m. (1810 34th Ave NE) 
July 16 Pershing Recreation Center, 6 p.m. (3523 W 48th St) 
July 23 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N) 
July 24 Lyndale Park Gardens, 5 p.m. (1300 W 42nd St) 
July 25 Longfellow Park, 6 p.m. (3435 36th Ave S) 
July 30 Bohanon Park, 6 p.m. (4859 Bryant Ave N) 
July 31 Phelps Park, 6 p.m. (701 39th St E)
<h2>August Events</h2>
August 4 Linden Hills Park, 7 p.m. (3100 W 43rd St) 
August 7 Logan Park, 6 p.m. (690 13th Ave NE) 
August 7 Lynnhurst Park, 3 p.m. (1345 Minnehaha Pkwy) 
August 8 Lake Hiawatha Park, 5 p.m. (2701 E 44th St) 
August 9 North Commons Park, Noon (1801 James Ave N) 
August 16 Minnehaha Falls Park, time TBD (4801 S Minnehaha Drive) 
August 20 Bryant Square Park, 6:30 p.m. (3101 Bryant Ave S) 
August 20 Folwell Park, 6 p.m. (1615 Dowling Ave N) 
August 26 Jackson Square Park, 6 p.m. (2212 Jackson St NE)
<h2>Fall Events</h2>
September 20 Van Cleve Park, 11 a.m. (901 15th Ave SE) 
October 11 Water Works Park, 11 a.m. (333 S 1st St)

three children sitting on the sidewalk in a park drawing in notebooks with pencils

Move over Van Gogh, there’s a new artist in town! Engage your creative side during Mia Studio Sessions.
Studio Sessions are Mia’s art classes and workshops that offer experienced artmakers and curious novices alike the opportunity to create projects inspired by Mia’s collection and special exhibitions. Each Studio Sessions class features a different subject or medium to explore, and you’ll walk away with expanded knowledge and skills, plus a personal work of art. The only prerequisites for this class are curiosity and an open mind.
Registration required. Registration opens one month in advance.
We offer a limited number of scholarships to welcome all learners to Studio Sessions; please <a href="mailto:studioprograms@artsmia.org">email us</a> for scholarship information.
Questions? <a href="mailto:studioprograms@artsmia.org">Email us</a>.
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<h2>Upcoming Sessions</h2>
June 21 Summer Solstice Watercolor 
Summer has arrived! Join fellow artists and explore watercolor in a breezy and peaceful environment. Teaching artist Michael Gaughan will guide you through techniques to express yourself and create your own summer solstice-themed watercolor.
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July 12 Zines
Zines are self-published magazines with a long history of being community oriented. They empower collectives and individuals to share their hopes, dreams, and special interests. Using collages, drawings, and the poems you&#8217;ve been waiting to share, there are no limits to what zines can be. Join teaching artist BakiBakiBaki and be limitless!
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July 13 Plein Air Drawing 
Summertime flora is the inspiration for this workshop! Venture into Mia’s Target Park and Courtyard to try plein air drawing. Teaching artist Sophia Weisensel will guide you through techniques focusing on drawing guided by movement, the art of sketching, and observing the shapes and shades of the world around you.
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July 19 Printmaking 
Bring a photo or drawing of a favorite place as inspiration—at home, from travels, or a destination you dream of. Turn it into a small edition of 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; block prints with guidance from artist Laura Brown. These are perfect for displaying or sending in the mail. You&#8217;ll leave class with your own prints and hand-carved blocks, as well as resources for continued printing at home.
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July 24 Criticism as Dialogue 
Works of art have always existed alongside critical language and conversations of appreciation. This workshop, led by museum educator and independent art curator William &#8220;Billy&#8221; Gustavo Franklin Torres, offers you an opportunity to have an open dialogue with fellow classmates, engage in constructive criticism, and handle complex conversations about art. Learn guidelines and principles of art criticism, and then practice applying them to famous artworks from Mia’s collection.
Tickets on sale June 24.
August 10 Drawing from the Collection 
Practice your hand at drawing, inspired by works from Mia’s expressionist and impressionist galleries. Teaching artist Sophia Weisensel will lead you through the foundations of drawing to create your own piece of artwork with an emphasis on color choice, layering, and blending technique. Visit the galleries to sketch your artwork and spend time in Mia’s studio experimenting with pastels to bring your work to life.
Tickets on sale July 10.
August 14 Criticism as Dialogue 
Works of art have always existed alongside critical language and conversations of appreciation. This workshop, led by museum educator and independent art curator William &#8220;Billy&#8221; Gustavo Franklin Torres, offers you an opportunity to have an open dialogue with fellow classmates, engage in constructive criticism, and handle complex conversations about art. Learn guidelines and principles of art criticism, and then practice applying them to famous artworks from Mia’s collection.
Tickets on sale July 14.
September 6 Cyanotype 
Explore the vibrant photographic process of cyanotypes with teaching artist Janae Alyse! This historic technique uses UV light to create detailed prints on surfaces. First, learn the basics of making cyanotypes by creating a test strip and transferring a print to paper. Then experiment with multiple objects, exposure times, and techniques to create a custom set of four greeting cards. The result of cyanotype printmaking is magical and one of a kind. Note: Wear clothing you don’t mind being exposed to cyanotype chemicals.
Tickets on sale August 6.

photo of an artist painting. One hand is holding a paint brush over a canvas of yellow, blue, and green hues, and the other hand is holding a plate with paints on it.

"Vitality Arts: Horizon Line Intro to Mural Painting" workshop at Mia.

Art Play! is your chance to experiment—a different medium each month—on the first and third Saturday of the month. Go on a scavenger hunt to find works in that medium in Mia&#8217;s collection, then make your own artwork in our studios. No prompts, no rules, just play.
Art Play! is free for everyone and open to all ages and abilities.
Major Support:
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<h2>Upcoming Events</h2>
June 7 and 21 Ink 
Drawing inks are liquid inks used for drawing or writing. This includes everything from sharpies to quill pens; we&#8217;ll have both of those and more!
July 5 and 19 Stamps 
Come play with stamps! We’ll have different types of paper and surfaces to get your creative juices flowing. You can even try your hand at making a stamp of your own!
August 2 and 16 Bead Bonanza 
Beads can be used to make jewelry, designs on paper, and even fun animals. Come see all the different creations you can make with beads!
September 6 and 20 Watercolor 
Play around and get familiar with the different characteristics and methods of applying watercolor paints. This medium has been used by artists dating back to ancient times. What will you create?
October 4 and 18 Fall Leaves Cyanotype 
Celebrate the changing of the seasons with cyanotype printing! Cyanotype printing is an early photographic process that creates cyan-blue prints. We’ll use fall leaves to explore unique shapes and textures in this fun printmaking technique. 
November 1 and 15 3D Paper Sculptures 
There are many types of sculptures, but did you know you can sculpt with paper? See how you can take this 2D medium and make a 3D masterpiece!
December 6 and 20 Art Supply Assemblage 
What do a few short-colored pencils, yarn, old erasers, and loose buttons have in common? They can all be put together in a beautiful work of art! Join us as we take old art supplies and use them to make cohesive pieces of art with assemblage.

Upcoming Family Programs

<h2 class="border-top-3">Youth and Family Programs</h2>

Youth and Family

Youth and Family

Make memories every month at Family Day, get creative in studio programs, and play and learn with your toddler in the Family Center.

Family Day

Mini Mia

Art Play!

Art in the Park

Studio Sessions

Art From Home

Family Center