Grantee Highlight: Family Day at the North Dakota Museum of Art

​Family Day began at the North Dakota Museum of Art under the leadership of Sue Fink in 2004. The original goal of the program, initially called Saturday Art Workshops, was to provide children and their families an opportunity to engage in art activities while exploring a wide variety of media with modeling and guidance.

As the current Education Director, I am continually striving to bring fresh and exciting experiences to our Family Day programming. My goal is to ensure that everyone feels welcomed at our museum, and for young people, the chance to connect with art can have a lasting impact on their lives. Equally important are the parents and caregivers who bring their children to these events, encouraging creativity and fostering a love of art that extends beyond the museum walls.

For over twenty years, we’ve been inviting participants of all ages to explore diverse artistic practices while surrounded by stunning artwork in the spacious museum galleries. In 2024, we were proud to welcome over a thousand curious guests, alongside numerous arts organizations and local artists who partnered with us to foster a deeper appreciation for art and highlight its significance in our community.

Family Day events are always free and open to the public, ensuring accessibility for all families. We are able to keep it that way thanks to the generous support of foundations, businesses, and individual donors who believe in the power of art to connect and inspire. Local businesses contribute through in-kind donations, and individuals support the program through their gifts.

The support from the Community Foundation makes it possible for us to provide materials, bring in guest artists, and maintain a welcoming space where families can experience the joy of creating together.

Each event is held on the fourth Saturday of select months (October, November, January, February, March, and April) from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, offering hands-on projects and unique collaborative experiences. The atmosphere is casual, encouraging families to drop in, create, and leave when they’re ready. These events inspire children by connecting our world-class exhibitions to real hands-on experiences—just like the artists they see on our walls.

For example:

• For A Beautiful Mess: Knotters and Weavers of the Vanguard, we created woven baskets.
• For New Acquisitions, we explored a variety of artistic styles, encouraging participants to experiment with different approaches inspired by the artworks, such as air-dry clay, collage, and watercolor paint.
• For Maurice Sendak: 50 Years, we partnered with local libraries and community organizations to celebrate the beloved author and illustrator. We also created monsters inspired by Where the Wild Things Are.
• This fall, for Stories of Place, we explored paper marbling and pin-and-thread art.
• Most recently, for Women at War: An Exhibition by Contemporary Women Artists from Ukraine, we explored traditional Ukrainian folk arts, including Motanka doll-making.

One of the most exciting aspects of Family Day is witnessing the creativity of our young participants. At a recent event, a child made a Motanka doll with a mohawk, putting their own twist on a Ukrainian tradition. During a collage activity, two sisters collaborated on a piece they called "Bird Lady", featuring photos of Queen Elizabeth surrounded by dollar bills and birds.

In addition to being inspired by our exhibitions, I always try to introduce a new medium for our guests to explore. We’ve had a variety of activities, including painting, clay, fiber arts, scratchboard art, pumpkin decorating, and more. Our volunteers play a key role in making it all come together, assisting in the activities and guiding participants as they explore their creative ideas. It’s a fun, relaxed environment where everyone can create something special to take home, along with the skills and confidence to recreate these projects at home, making art more accessible for families to continue enjoying together.
Upcoming Family Day Activities:

• February 22 – Exploring Ukrainian traditions
• March 29 – Experimenting with various art techniques and media
• April 26 – Creating prints and paintings

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Thanks to our community of supporters, Family Day continues to bring people together in the spirit of creativity and discovery.

MJ McHugh, Education Director, NDMOA