Second Saturdays (Sep.–May), 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 

Join Amy Tuttle of Indigo Hippo and Stacy Sims of Mindful Music Moments/True Body Project for an exploration of mindfulness, creativity, and growth. Each month, we’ll explore a new character strength and the ways we can cultivate and embody it in our personal and creative lives. You’ll find this series of workshops to be family-friendly, hands-on, fun, and inspiring.

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Third Saturdays, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Visitors of all ages are welcome to join us for this workshop led by a local artist. Learn about techniques and materials used by professional artists in these fun, educational and hands-on workshops. Children must be at least 6 years old to participate. Students under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult who is also enrolled in the class.

General Admission: $12, Art Museum Members: $6. Reservations Required.

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6:00 p.m.–7:45 p.m. (All Audiences)

Become a better artist with these weekly studio classes for students of all ages and abilities. Classes meet every Thursday night in the Rosenthal Education Center for a month and will build on traditional art-making techniques. Monthly registration only. Children must be at least 6 years old to participate. Students under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult who is also enrolled in the class.

Members: $40, General Public: $80. Reservations Required.

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Second Saturdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Discover new ways of looking by drawing the museum's collection with the help of a knowledgeable docent. Sketching materials provided. All ages are welcome. FREE

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Third Fridays, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

This 40 minute experience will introduce you and your infant (ages 0-2) to the world of art with a tour designed to stimulate their developing minds. We will explain the positive effects of visual stimulation with masterpieces that will mesmerize the Art Museum’s youngest visitors. Strollers are not recommended so that you and your child can better experience the art together.

FREE. Reservations Required. Reservations can be made online or by calling (513) 721-ARTS.

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First Saturdays (September–May), 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Designed with the whole family in mind! Performances, artist demonstrations, storytelling, scavenger hunts, tours, and hands-on art making activities are just the start of the fun for the whole family. There’s a different theme each month, so be sure to come to every one, and bring your best friends!

FREE. Reservations not required.

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Family First Saturday is generously supported by: 

Family ARTventures Tours Saturdays, 2 p.m.

Family ARTventures Art Stops Sundays, 2 p.m.

For everyone, every age!
Here’s the chance to interact with “touchable” art objects. These family-oriented tours and Art Stops actually allow you to do just that, and are led by our knowledgeable Cincinnati Art Museum docents, allowing families to get to know our collections hands-on.

FREE. Reservations not required. 

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The Hats Off Series started in 1994 at the Cincinnati Art Museum with original shows produced and presented by Madcap Puppets. Within a few years, the program in collaboration with the Museum proved so successful that Madcap Puppets began to premiere 3 to 4 productions each season at the museum before taking them out on national tour. 

$10 for general public | FREE for children under 1 

CAM Members (Family Level+) receive 5 free tickets per performance. Reservations recommended. Reservations can be made online or by calling (513) 721-ARTS.

Upcoming Madcap Programs:

Madcap Puppets: Fairy Tale Follies

Saturday, January 25 and Sunday January 26 | 1–2 p.m.

Zany court jesters, Winx and Jinx, deliver a flurry of fairy tales for the Queen’s celebration. Their hilariously twisted tales of Hansel and Gretel, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Little Pigs had better win the Queen’s approval or they may end up facing her fire-happy dragon! Purchase Tickets

Madcap Puppets: Twice Upon A Time

Saturday, March 21 and Sunday March 22 | 1–2 p.m.

Aiden Legend, is making funny faces into a mirror when it falls and breaks, accidentally propelling Aiden’s mirror image into the real world. Is there room in our world for two Aiden Legends? Can Aiden get the Accidental Twin back into the mirror!? Purchase Tickets

Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Bring your toddler or preschooler to the Rosenthal Education Center for a morning of art-themed story books, songs, and sensory activities. This 30 minute program will get your little one excited about art in a fun and interactive way.

FREE. Registration not required.

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The Cincinnati Art Museum is the place for summer fun and creativity. Jump into art with eight weeks of exciting projects, gallery games and more! Explore a different theme each week with activities taught by skilled educators and museum staff. Designed for children ages 6–12. Convenient before and after care available. More Info

Last Wednesdays (September–May), 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Your preschooler will learn about their local community through sensory play this Wee Wednesday. You and your toddler will wander through the galleries to find interactive art stops, as well as an art making activity. This “Open house” program is recommended for preschoolers (ages 5 and under) accompanied by an adult. We’re sorry, but we are unable to accommodate school groups for this program. FREE. Reservations not required.

Visitors with strollers: you may enter the museum through the Dewitt entrance near the south side of the building. Parking available near that entrance. View Map

See calendar listings for topics and a map of the event.

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Upcoming Program Dates:

October 30, 2019 | View Program Map/Agenda

November 27, 2019

January 29, 2020

February 26, 2020

March 25, 2020

April 29, 2020

May 27, 2020

See Play Learn Kits –a gallery activity tote designed to encourage creative discussion and learning in the galleries of the Cincinnati Art Museum! See Play Learn Kits can be checked out from the Visitor Services Desk.

Objectives of the See Play Learn Kits

• Promote an active learning experience for kids and their families in the museum
• Encourage creative interactions between family members
• Helps families “slow down” in the museum and have meaningful experiences with works of art
• Provide a positive museum experience that will encourage future visits
• Make the galleries more accessible to kids
• Different elements in kits to encourage families to check out kits on multiple visits

What ARE the See Play Learn Kits?

• Clear tote bags that contain hands on activities and critical thinking tools.
• Families can check them out from the front desk (or the REC) to use during their visit. ONE KIT PER FAMILY –there are enough activities in one kit for an entire family to utilize. Please do not mix and match items.
• Elements of the See Play Learn Kits will remain the same –other elements will be updated monthly and/or yearly.
• Kits are designed to be able to be used in any gallery –or in special exhibitions. Most activities do not relate to specific works of art.
• Kits are all slightly different (different question flashcards, different books, different puzzles).
• Each child gets a sketchbook (to take home) when they check out a See Play Learn Kit. Sketchbooks are located in a bin at the desk. ONLY the sketchbook can be taken home.
• See Play Learn Kits cannot leave the building.
• When returning the SPL Kit, please do a quick visual assessment to make sure nothing is missing or damaged.
• If something needs to be fixed in the kit, please let a Visitor Services Associate know.
• Kits will not be handed out during Wee Wednesdays and Family First Saturdays.

What is inside of a See Play Learn Kit?

• Family friendly map & instruction sheet
• Key ring of 15 flashcards with critical thinking questions
• Branded pencil bag containing pencils, pencil sharpener and erasers
• One puppet
• Zippered pouch containing looking tools –prism viewer, color paddles, binoculars
• Magnetic puzzle of artwork in permanent collection
• Two children’s books about art
• Soft story cube
• Wooden Drawing Manikin

The museum offers a wide range of gallery and art-making experiences. We encourage all homeschool educators and families to utilize these resources to create robust and comprehensive lesson plans for homeschool students.

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The museum offers a wide range of gallery and art-making experiences. We encourage Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to utilize these resources including our Scout Gallery Guides.

Girl Scouts Painting Badge

Boy Scouts Painting Badge