Programs

Youth and Family


        <h1> Youth and Family </h1>
      

<p>Activities and videos inspired by Mia&#8217;s Family Day to enjoy with your family, wherever you are.</p>
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<p>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 the month and various Saturdays.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p><a style="color: black;" href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-in-the-park"><button class="background-black">Learn More</button></a></p>


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<p>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.</p>
<p><a style="color: black;" href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/studio-sessions"><button class="background-black">Learn More</button></a></p>


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<p>With a variety of art-making ideas, fun activities, and learning resources, you can engage with Mia from wherever you are.</p>
<p><a style="color: black;" href="https://new.artsmia.org/art-from-home"><button class="background-black">Learn More</button></a></p>


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<p>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.</p>
<p><a style="color: black;" href="https://new.artsmia.org/programs/youth-and-family/family-center"><button class="background-black">Learn More</button></a></p>


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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>
<h2>Fall Programs</h2>
<p><strong>September 2</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/mini-mia">Mini Mia</a><br />
<strong>September 5</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play#sept5-19">Art Play: Cellophane Collage</a><br />
<strong>September 12</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-in-the-park#sept12">Art in the Park: Monarch Festival</a><br />
<strong>September 13</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/family-day#sept13">Family Day: Sounds of Summer</a><br />
<strong>September 19</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play#sept5-19">Art Play: Cellophane Collage</a><br />
<strong>September 26</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/mini-mia">Mini Mia</a></p>
<p><strong>October 3</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Cyanotype</a><br />
<strong>October 11</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/family-day#oct11">Family Day: Spooky Couture</a><br />
<strong>October 14</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/mini-mia">Mini Mia</a><br />
<strong>October 16</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/open-studio-fall-break">Open Studios: Fall Break</a><br />
<strong>October 17</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Cyanotype</a><br />
<strong>October 24</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/mini-mia">Mini Mia</a></p>
<p><strong>November 7</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Skeleton Puppets</a><br />
<strong>November 8</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/family-day#nov8">Family Day: Inside Out</a><br />
<strong>November 21</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Skeleton Puppets</a><br />
<strong>November 27</strong> | Black Friday at Mia</p>
<p><strong>December 5</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Sculptural Ornaments</a><br />
<strong>December 13</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/family-day#dec13">Family Day: Self-Portrait</a><br />
<strong>December 19</strong> | <a href="https://new.artsmia.org/event/art-play">Art Play: Sculptural Ornaments</a></p>
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Discovery Days

Open Studio: Fall Break

<p>School’s out—spend your Friday at Mia! Make a spooky beaded keychain to show off on Monday. Patterns include a jack-o-lantern, ghost, and candy corn—or create your own! Enjoy back-to-back films celebrating the season. This drop-in event is free for all ages, no registration required.</p>
<h2>Activities</h2>
<p><strong>Beaded keychains:</strong> 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.<br />
<strong>“The Nightmare Before Christmas” film screening:</strong> 11 a.m.<br />
<strong>“Goosebumps” (2015) film screening:</strong> 2 p.m.</p>


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<p>Discovery Days offer students an interactive way to explore art beyond a traditional tour. At learning stations throughout the museum, students participate in grade-level activities that spark curiosity and encourage discovery. They can choose which stations to visit, engaging with art through touch, sight, sound, and movement. These activities help students make meaningful connections with art and cultures from around the world.</p>
<p>Teaching artists and studio assistants lead artmaking sessions in Mia’s studios, where students practice art skills and explore creative ideas inspired by global cultures.</p>
<p><a style="color: black;" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0NKosfUkkmnN_3BojohwxJF_GAf0q0QIkD-EulEzGXZvcyA/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><button class="background-black">Reserve your spot</button></a></p>
<h2>Discovery Days Themes</h2>
<h3>Arts of Africa, the Americas, China, and Japan (Second Floor)</h3>
<p>Students explore artworks and cultures from across the world through discovery stations and in galleries on the museum’s second floor.</p>
<h3>Arts of Exploration, Fashion, Minnesota History, and Modern Life (Third floor)</h3>
<p>Students investigate themes such as the Age of Exploration (1600s), European and American fashion in the 1700s, life and art in early Minnesota, and modern art and photography through discovery stations and in galleries on the museum’s third floor.</p>
<p>Discovery Days alternate between the second- and third-floor experiences. When registering, please look carefully at the request form to make sure that the date you select matches the floor and themes you’d like your students to experience.</p>
<h2>Scheduling Information</h2>
<p>School groups must register in advance for Wednesday Discovery Days sessions at 10 or 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Mia members and the public may drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Discovery Days. All Saturday Discovery Days are drop-in experiences.</p>
<h3>Floor Schedule</h3>
<p><strong>Second Floor</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, September 30, 2026<br />
Wednesday, October 7, 2026<br />
Wednesday, November 4, 2026<br />
Wednesday, December 16, 2026<br />
Wednesday, January 27, 2027<br />
Wednesday, February 17, 2027<br />
Wednesday, February 24, 2027<br />
Wednesday, March 31, 2027<br />
Wednesday, April 14, 2027<br />
Wednesday, May 12, 2027<br />
Wednesday, June 30, 2027</p>
<p><strong>Third Floor</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, October 21, 2026<br />
Wednesday, November 18, 2026<br />
Wednesday, January 13, 2027<br />
Wednesday, February 10, 2027<br />
Wednesday, March 17, 2027<br />
Wednesday, April 28, 2027<br />
Wednesday, May 19, 2027<br />
Wednesday, June 2, 2027</p>
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<p><em>Support for Discovery Days provided by the Fredrikson and Byron Foundation.</em></p>


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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.

Fall Programs

Family Day

Mini Mia

Art Play!

Art in the Park

Studio Sessions

Art From Home

Family Center