Families at the Smart
A kid-friendly place…
The Smart's intimate galleries and outdoor sculpture garden are perfect spaces for children and adults to explore art together.
Download gallery guides here before your visit or pick them up at the front desk upon your arrival.
Asian Ink Painting (PDF)
Gallery Guardians (PDF)
What is Abstract Art? (PDF)
Modern Markings (PDF)
We welcome your feedback on these new activity guides. Please e-mail your thoughts or suggestions to smart-education@listhost.uchicago.edu.
Free Family Programs at the Smart
smARTkids @ the Library (offsite)
Second Saturdays during the school year
Join the Smart Museum and the Blackstone and Bessie Coleman branches of the Chicago Public Library for a free artist-led family workshop that includes an art project and related story.
Family Days
Be inspired by what's on view at the Smart and create your own artwork during our free Family Days. See what the fun is all about and view photos of our family days on Flickr!
Family Day: Personal Places
November 15, 1–4 pm
See how artists can transport us to places real and imaginary during an afternoon of fun art activities, storytelling, and creative journeys through the Smart Museum’s galleries. Explore contemporary artists’ take on the American Heartland, travel back in time through eighteenth century prints of famous Roman sites, and get carried away by self-taught artist Joseph Yoakum’s colorful landscapes. Listen to stories about home, region, and travel, collage vintage photographs of historic places to create your own imaginary landscapes, and collaborate with others to map a large-scale story. Each participating family will receive a passport to guide them through their travels at the Smart.
Art Afternoons
Wednesdays in July
Look at amazing art, play gallery games, and do a different art activity each week during our popular Art Afternoons.
Family programs are FREE and all supplies are provided by the Smart. Best for ages 3 and up accompanied by an adult at all times.
For detailed information about upcoming family programs, check the online calendar or call 773.702.2362.