Art Studio

Art is why we’re here. Chicago Children’s Museum formed in 1982 in response to cuts in arts education funding in the Chicago Public Schools. Since then, we’ve developed and expanded our arts programming for children, culminating in the new Art Studio, unveiled in the summer of 2018.

The Art Studio is designed to let children revel in the creative process. Our open-ended activities allow kids to tap into their imaginations and explore their artistic selves. Paint, sew, sketch, mold, and more with activities designed for kids of all ages and abilities. Come by 1 hour prior to a workshop to get your free pass or join a drop-in program. 

See our online calendar for more details and schedules. 

The New Art Experience
brought to you by a generous naming gift from Thaddeus Wong and Emily Sachs Wong.

Internationally- renowned, Chicago-born and raised artist Hebru Brantley was invited to partner with Chicago Children's Museum to transform the Art Studio into an immersive narrative-driven experience focused on allowing kids (and kids at heart) to let their imagination soar to new heights. The New Art Studio Experience creates a space for littles to play, explore, have fun, and audaciously believe that they too, can fly towards their dreams!

Kirby’s Clubhouse  
Creates an immersive environment that offers children the opportunity to make the space their own by telling their own stories, making their own creations, and displaying their own art within it. Designed with a lower ceiling and a ramp up into the space with an elevated floor, it is meant to feel like a special clubhouse scaled just for littles (and those young at heart).

Sky Studio 
Houses the museum’s facilitated art programming, which features elements that further inspire a little’s sense of “soaring,” self-expression, and the confidence to create their own original artwork. The studio programming activities, led by the museum’s arts educators, offer rich opportunities for children and families to explore a diversity of art forms, processes, styles, approaches, and artists. 

Art Studio Workshops
Children of all ages create art with materials like paint, clay, fabric, and more. These workshops start with an artist educator leading discussion/investigation around themes that change monthly. 

Kids Create Drop-in Programs for Toddlers and Preschoolers
These open-ended sensory based programs are just for little ones. Kids Create activities invite young children to get creative with materials like finger paints, play dough, and even mud. 

Young Artist Programs
These drop-in programs allow children to create and explore at their own pace. These activities are often collaborative, and themes change periodically. 

Visiting Artist Workshops
Meet an artist, gain inspiration from their artistic process, and get creative. Visiting Artist Workshops bring the art world directly to kids.   

How Adults Can Support Playful Learning in the Art Studio

  • Talk with the child about their ideas and creations. Use open-ended language such as, “Tell me about your creation.” Don’t make assumptions about what the child has created.

  • When possible, use art-making as an in-road to talking with the child about prior experiences or interests related to what they are creating. Art is a great conversation-starter as it allows children to express themselves in ways that their language skills may not yet allow.

  • If the child gets frustrated during the art-making process, note that sometimes things don’t work the way you expect when making art. How can we take the “surprise” and turn it into something interesting?

Discover more opportunities for growth in development and how to support children’s learning through play at Chicago Children’s Museum. Explore the Supporting Learning Through Play Guide here!