Occupy antsy children while learning a lesson yourself with this family-oriented program. The Jan. 12 event celebrates the Chinese New Year with a horse puppet race and a museum-wide scavenger hunt for all 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
For nearly 100 years, kids have been taking art classes at the museum. Children get exposed to global art forms while trying paints, clay and other mediums. Teens can take a Claymation class where they produce stop-motion short films that use paintings from the collection.
Experience the best of the world's performing arts scene from famed flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena to gypsy violinists Roby Lakatos. The Feb. 6 show features Gil Shaham, considered one of the greatest violinists of his time, playing Bach's sonatas and partitas for solo violin.
Participate: So Close, So Far!
Jan. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Atrium
Collaborate on a work of art with strangers by creating a larger-than-life portrait on the atrium floor, inspired by the work of photorealist painter Chuck Close. It'll be so big that you'll have to go to the second floor to see the finished product.
Jan. 2, 11:30 a.m.-noon and 2:30-3 p.m., Galleries
"It's basically like the Amazing Race," says Elizabeth Bolander, director of communications and research. "You get clues and have to complete challenges that take you to works of art throughout the museum, answering questions and competing against other families on a timetable."
Jan. 2-4
Who doesn't love free stuff? Enjoy a free museum decal with a museum store purchase, a sugar cookie with the CMA logo from Provenance cafe for just $1, or a decadent slice of bittersweet chocolate ganache cake with white chocolate buttercream and coffee anglaise from Provenance restaurant for $8.
Jan. 2, Galleries
You may have seen Monet's Water Lilies countless times, but the questions your team will answer with this game will help you get to know your favorites even better.
Jan. 2, 11-11:30 a.m.; noon-12:30 p.m.; 3-3:30 p.m.; Meet in Atrium
See what works from the collection resemble aspects of treasured children's books, including Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Norman Bridwell's Clifford the Big Red Dog and the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Jan. 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Studio Play; 11:30-noon and 1-1:30 p.m., Gallery 103
"You get a story that's also connected to an object in our collection," says Bolander of the program aimed at kids under 5. This event will explore old and new in the Islamic galleries, reading Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback and looking at the Prince's Coat.
Jan. 2, 1-3 p.m., Atrium
Leave a lasting impression without leaving fingerprints. Visitors clad in white gloves are encouraged to pick up real works of art and examine them.
Jan. 2 & 3, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Meet in Atrium
Whether your tastes run from Caravaggio to Warhol or anything in between, the museum docents will have you covered on this lively walking tour featuring masterworks in the collection.
Jan. 2, 2-4 p.m., Armor Court; Jan. 2, 2-4 p.m., Gallery 238
Try your hand at sketching the museum's armor collection, or go pencil-free and learn techniques to use an iPad to create drawings.
Jan. 3, All day
Think you've got a good eye for art? Put your skills to the test with scavenger hunts, visual crossword puzzles, gallery bingo and trivia games that'll take you all over the museum.
Jan. 3, 10-11 a.m., Glass Box West
"This is for those looking for a quieter activity," says Bolander. Buddhist nun Ani Palmo Rybicki of the Songtsen Gampo Buddhist Center will introduce you to meditation techniques, such as visualization, deep breathing and reflection.
Jan. 3, noon-12:30 p.m., 4-4:30 p.m.; Jan. 4 noon-12:30 p.m., Meet in the Atrium
Go on short tours inspired by two young-adult classics, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Plus, take in highlights of the new West Wing galleries.
Jan. 3, 11-11:30 a.m.; 1-1:30 p.m.; 2-2:30 p.m.; 3-3:30 p.m.; Meet in the Atrium
Looking for the inside scoop on Chinese, Indian, medieval or abstract expressionist art? Get it from an expert. "You get to hear the vision behind the objects," says Bolander.
Jan. 3 & 4, 1-3 p.m., Atrium
Using inks on rice paper to demonstrate landscape and flower painting, CMA teaching artist Mitzi Lai will capture your imagination with a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy.
Jan. 3, 5-11 p.m., Atrium and Galleries
Toast the renovation with this happy hour-style event, featuring DJ Rekha's blend of contemporary electronic dance with Bhangra and Bollywood sounds. "People really love Rekha," Bolander says. "We're really excited to have her back."
Jan. 4, 1-2 p.m., Meet in Gallery 244; 3-4 p.m., Meet in Gallery 245
Travel the world with these talks about Chinese and Indian art from Noelle Giuffrida, assistant professor of East Asian Art at Case Western Reserve University, and Paula Richman, William H. Danforth professor of Religion at Oberlin College.
Jan. 4, 2-2:30 p.m., Meet in the Atrium
Want to know why Yoda is so calm? Explore Buddhist ideas that inspired George Lucas' Star Wars movies through works in the Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian galleries.
