Family Visits
At PEM, we want to make it easy for you and your family to connect with art and culture. Our Art & Nature Center, with hands-on discovery drawers, games and interactive exhibitions, is a great place to start.
You can also embark on a treasure hunt of sorts and search for animals or sailing ships in the PEM collection using our complimentary Gallery Discovery Kits.
Check the calendar for the next Weekend Festival and join the rest of the PEM community for a weekend of unforgettable dance, music, film, art making and opportunities to meet artists and performers. Whatever you choose to do while you’re here — listen to a story during Book Buddies or make a painting in the Art Studios — we want your visit to be relaxing and enjoyable.
Family-friendly Resources
- Ships Ahoy!: Gallery Discovery Kit
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- Download this family-friendly Gallery Discovery Kit and explore life at sea. PDF Format.
Featured Interactives For Your Family
- Terje Isungset's Ice Music
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- June 18, 2011
- Westerkerk - Look, Explore, and Listen
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- March 3, 2011
- Write like an emperor
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- September 14, 2010
Related events For families
Included with museum admission
Celebrate Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art with incredible dance performances, art making and demonstrations!
10:30 am–3:30 pm
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Weaving
Artist D.Y. Begay (Diné Navajo), featured artist in Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art, demonstrates how she creates her original handwoven Navajo rugs.
10:30 am–3:30 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Use strips of paper to explore abstract landscapes.
11 am–3 pm
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Transforming Pottery
Atrium
Artist Jason Garcia (Okuu Pin) transforms materials into a visually rich mix of Pueblo history and culture, comic book super heroes, video game characters, religious icons and all things pop culture. Watch as he shares his artistic process and inspiration.
11 am
STORY TIME
Jingle Dancer
Meet at information desk | For families with children ages 4 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day or program
How will Jenna be able to perform a jingle dance in the upcoming powwow without enough tin jingles? Hear what happens when we read Jingle Dancer, by Cynthia Leitich Smith, a tribal member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
11:30-Noon
FAMILY GALLERY EXPLORATION
For children ages 5 and up with adult
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
Explore Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art, in a 30-minute, hands-on tour designed just for families.
Noon and 2:30 pm
PERFORMANCES
Yellow Bird
Atrium
The internationally renowned family dance troupe from Phoenix, Arizona, led by Ken Duncan (Apache), performa the energetic and stunning hoop dance and more.
1–2 pm
DOCENT-LED GALLERY TOUR
Shapeshifting
Meet at information desk | For adults and teens
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
3:30–5 pm
FILM
Dear Lemon Lima
Morse Auditorium | For adults and teens
Reservations by February 16
While rallying her fellow misfits to compete in their school's Snowstorm Survivor competition, an awkward Alaskan teen discovers her Yup'ik heritage. PG-13, 87 minutes.
Made possible by the Lowell Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts
Included with museum admission
Celebrate Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art with incredible dance performances, art making and artist demonstrations!
10:30 am–3:30 pm
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Weaving
Artist D.Y. Begay (Diné Navajo), featured artist in Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art, demonstrates how she creates her original handwoven Navajo rugs.
10:30 am–3:30 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Abstract Landscapes
Use strips of paper to explore abstract landscapes.
11 am
STORY TIME
Jingle Dancer
Meet at information desk | For families with children ages 4 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day or program
How will Jenna be able to perform a jingle dance in the upcoming powwow without enough tin jingles? Hear what happens when we read Jingle Dancer, by Cynthia Leitich Smith, a tribal member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
11 am–3 pm
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Transforming Pottery
Atrium
Artist Jason Garcia (Okuu Pin) transforms materials into a visually rich mix of Pueblo history and culture, comic book super heroes, video game characters, religious icons and all things pop culture. Watch as he shares his artistic process and inspiration.
11:30 am–noon
FAMILY GALLERY EXPLORATION
For children ages 5 and up with adult
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
Explore Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art, in a 30-minute, hands-on tour designed just for families.
Noon and 2:30 pm
PERFORMANCES
Yellow Bird
Atrium
The internationally renowned family dance troupe from Phoenix, Arizona, led by Ken Duncan (Apache), performa the energetic and stunning hoop dance and more.
1–2 pm
DOCENT-LED GALLERY TOUR
Shapeshifting
Meet at information desk | For adults and teens
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
2 pm
STORY TRAILS
Read the Stars
Meet at information desk | For children ages 5 to 8 with adult
Reservations by February 16
Listen to a Navajo legend retold in Jerrie Oughton's book How the Stars Fell Into the Sky, and design a constellation shadowbox with your own star pattern.
3:30-5 pm
FILM
Barking Water
Morse Auditorium | For adults and teens
Reservations by February 16
Join Frankie and Irene on their drive through Oklahoma on a redemptive journey that introduces the struggles of their past relationship and Frankie's urgent need to make amends with his daughter and her child. 2009, 78 minutes, directed by Sterlin Harjo.
Made possible by the Lowell Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts
Included with museum admission
Join us during school vacation week as we celebrate Native American artists from New England. Watch artists at work, take a family tour of Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art and make art of your own!
Daily Activities
DROP-IN ART
11 am–3 pm | Atrium | For families
FAMILY GALLERY EXPLORATION
Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art
11 am–noon | Atrium | For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
A hands-on exploration designed just for families.
Monday, February 20
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Woven Quillwork
11 am–3:30 pm |Atrium
Aquinna Wampanoag artist Elizabeth James-Perry demonstrates the intricate art of woven quillwork. See how she transforms porcupine quills into works of art.
PERFORMANCES
Drumming
Noon–12:30 pm and 2–2:30 pm |Atrium
Jonathan Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) performs at PEM followed by a Q&A.
Tuesday, February 21
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Woven Quillwork
11 am–3:30 pm |Atrium
See Monday listing
Wednesday, February 22
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Basketry
11:30 am–3:30 pm |Atrium
Theresa Secord (Penobscot) demonstrates the process she has used to make extraordinary baskets for more than 20 years. Winner of several Best of Basketry awards at market shows and fairs across the country, Secord helped found the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance.
Thursday, February 23
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Basketry
11:30 am–3 pm |Atrium
See Wednesday listing
FAMILY WORKSHOP
Woven Bookmark
3:45–4:15 pm |Art Studios
For families with children ages 7 and up
Reservations by February 22
Weave a sweet-grass bookmark with artist Theresa Secord (Penobscot).
Friday, February 24
PERFORMANCES
Exploring Wampanoag Culture
11 am and 2 pm |Atrium
Annawon Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag) shares stories, dance and music from his tribal culture.
Made possible by the Lowell Institute
Included with museum admission
The lookout signals, the cannon fires — what happens next? Artworks can tell stories without words, and sometimes books do, too! Find out how this works as we read David Wiesner's Sector 7, and learn to "storyboard" like an illustrator with guest artist Katy Bratun.
For children ages 5 to 8 with accompanying adult.
Made possible by Target
Included with museum admission
10 am–noon
CLASS
Yoga with Kofi Busia
For adults and teens; all skill levels welcome
Reservations by March 29
Enjoy this rare opportunity to experience yoga with Kofi Busia, one of the world's foremost teachers in the Iyengar tradition. Please do not eat immediately before class. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.
11 am–noon
ADULT COOKING DEMONSTRATION
Festival Food: An Offering to the Hindu Gods
Bartlett Gallery | Reservations by March 24
Chef Shruti Mehta returns to create and demonstrate special cuisine from India that is traditionally associated with Hindu festivals and devotional practices.
11 am–4 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Block Printing
Atrium
See and handle different types of meticulously hand-carved woodblocks. Then use the woodblock to print a beautiful image to take home.
11:30 am
STORY TIME
The Closet Ghosts
Meet at the information desk | For families with children ages 4 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
Sometimes moving to a new a new home can be a little frightening, but it's even worse when there are ghosts in the closet!
11:30 am–12:15 pm and 2–2:45 pm
PERFORMANCES
Parul Shah Dance Company
Atrium
Parul Shah Dance Company presents works in Kathak, a classical dance tradition from the courts of North India. This dance style blends the lyricism of music, the kinetics of the body and an irresistible visual appeal to create a heady mix for the senses.
12:15–12:45 pm
DANCE WORKSHOP
Parul Shah Dance Company
Atrium
Learn the basic steps of Kathak and the use of hand gestures and rhythmic footwork.
1–2 pm
PRESENTATION
Darśan: Seeing the Divine Image in India
Morse Auditorium | For adults
Reservations by March 29
Diana L. Eck is considered one of the West's greatest experts on Hinduism. Using examples from the exhibition Faces of Devotion, she explains the role of the visual image in everyday Hindu practices.
1–4 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Toran
Art Studios
Toran are hung above doorways to welcome gods and people into the home. Create a large collaborative hanging piece for the Art Studios.
1:15–2 pm and 4:15–5 pm
CONCERTS
Hindustani Classical Music
Atrium
Hindustani music, or classical music from North India, traces its origins to approximately 1000 B.C.E., when music was a way of memorizing and preserving philosophical and religious texts through repeated chanting. At PEM, students of Kumkum Sanyal, a Hindustani Classical singer and teacher, perform with live musical accompaniment and demonstrate ragas (melodic modes) and talas (rhythmic cycles) in a uniquely classical format.
3–5 pm
FILM AND CONVERSATION
Sita Sings the Blues
3–4:30 pm | Film Screening | Morse Auditorium
4:30–5 pm | Conversation with filmmaker Nina Paley and Curator Susan Bean
For adults and teens
Reservations by March 29
The stories of two women separated by several centuries come together in this comedy-drama from artist and animator Nina Paley. Join Nina Paley after the screening as she discusses concepts in the Ramayana with Curator of South Asian and Korean Art Susan Bean, and the animation techniques in the making of this film. 2008, 82 minutes. Unrated.
Made possible in part by Samir and Nilima Desai; The Desai Family Foundation, and The Sharma Group/PBIG
Included with museum admission
10 am–noon
CLASS
Yoga with Kofi Busia
Art from India Gallery & East India Marine Hall
For adults and teens; all skill levels welcome
Enjoy this rare opportunity to experience yoga with Kofi Busia, one of the world's foremost teachers in the Iyengar tradition. Please do not eat immediately before class. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.
11 am–4 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Block Printing
Atrium
See and handle different types of meticulously hand-carved woodblocks. Then use the woodblock to print a beautiful image to take home.
11:30 am
STORY TIME
The Closet Ghosts
Meet at the information desk | For families with children ages 4 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
Sometimes moving to a new a new home can be a little frightening, but it's even worse when there are ghosts in the closet!
11:30 am–12:15 pm and 4–4:45 pm
PERFORMANCES
Parul Shah Dance Company
Atrium
Parul Shah Dance Company presents works in Kathak, a classical dance tradition from the courts of North India. This dance style blends the lyricism of music, the kinetics of the body and an irresistible visual appeal to create a heady mix for the senses.
12:15–12:45 pm
DANCE WORKSHOP
Parul Shah Dance Company
Atrium
Learn the basic steps of Kathak and the use of hand gestures and rhythmic footwork.
1–2 pm
LECTURE
Iyengar: The Yoga Master, with Kofi Busia
Morse Auditorium
Reservations by March 30
Indian yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar is the subject of Kofi Busia's collection of essays, stories and interviews that offer a deep understanding of Iyengar and his unique approach to yoga.
1–4 pm
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Toran
Art Studios
Toran are hung above doorways to welcome gods and people into the home. Create a large collaborative hanging piece for the Art Studios.
1:15–2 pm and 4:15–5 pm
CONCERTS
Hindustani Classical Music
Atrium
Hindustani music, or classical music from North India, traces its origins to approximately 1000 B.C.E., when music was a way of memorizing and preserving philosophical and religious texts through repeated chanting. At PEM, students of Kumkum Sanyal, a Hindustani Classical singer and teacher, perform with live musical accompaniment and demonstrate ragas (melodic modes) and talas (rhythmic cycles) in a uniquely classical format.
2:30–3:45 pm
LECTURE
Amitav Ghosh
Morse Auditorium
Reservations by March 30
Amitav Ghosh is a critically acclaimed novelist, journalist and anthropologist and the author of several best-selling works of fiction and nonfiction, including the recently released River of Smoke. Join Ghosh for a talk and discussion of his recent work and his perspective on trade, culture and world history.
Made possible in part by Samir and Nilima Desai; The Desai Family Foundation, and The Sharma Group/PBIG
Included with museum admission
Explore the wonders of our blue planet and celebrate Earth Day with performances, art and activities! Meet artists, get a close look at New England's secretive vernal pool inhabitants, create artworks to take home and more!
Monday, April 16
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
Discover your secret water identity. Pick up an H2O You quiz sheet at the Art & Nature Center activity table.
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
Explore water in our world on this special tour of the Maritime and American Art galleries.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Bubble Printing
11 am–3 pm | Art Studios
Bubbles are fun and can also be used to create amazing artwork. Blow your own bubble pattern and take home a unique bubble print.
Tuesday, April 17
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm | Atrium
Join artist, educator and water scientist Wendy Pabich, Ph.D., and create an impressive wave sculpture representing the water footprint of one pair of bluejeans (over 2,000 gallons used per pair). Pabich seeks to reveal the hidden demands on water through art, programs and her forthcoming book, Taking on Water (fall 2012).
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour
See Monday listing
PERFORMANCES
Or Would You Rather Be a Fish?
11 am–noon and 2–3 pm | Atrium
Find out "How the Sea Became Salty" and what happens to "The Unlucky Sailor" with award-winning performer Mary Jo Maichack, in a rousing musical and interactive puppet show. Be sure to give the pirate's cheer!
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Bubble Printing
11 am–3 pm | Art Studios
See Monday listing
DROP-IN ACTIVITY
From Drain to Shore
1–4 pm | Atrium
Explore an interactive watershed model, investigate marine debris and find out what you can do to help reduce water pollution with experts from Salem Sound Coastwatch.
Wednesday, April 18
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm |Atrium
See Tuesday Listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
WORKSHOP
Fish Printing
10:15–11 am | Art Studios
For families with children ages 8 and up
Reservations by April 17
Learn how artist Joe Higgins creates his unique prints using fish, inspired by the Japanese art Gyotaku. Then make your own.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
River Books
10:30 am–2 pm | Art Studios
Create and illustrate your own rippling river journal using the accordion bookbinding method.
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
See Monday listing
PERFORMANCES
Snowflake Man Puppet Show
11–11:45 am and 2–2:45 pm | Atrium
Vermont farmer Wilson Bentley was a teenager when he became fascinated with snowflakes. Discover the story of the first man to photograph snowflakes in this award-winning puppetry show by artist and puppeteer Sarah Frechette, of Puppetkabob.
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Fish Faces
Noon–2 pm | Atrium
Meet artist Joe Higgins and get a closer look at the process of Japanese fish printing.
DROP-IN ACTIVITY
From Drain to Shore
1–4 pm | Atrium
See Tuesday listing
Thursday, April 18
COLLABORATIVE ART
Water Footprinting
10 am–3 pm | Atrium
See Tuesday listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
H2O You
10 am–4 pm | Art & Nature Center
See Monday listing
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
River Books
10:30 am–2 pm | Art Studios
See Wednesday listing
FAMILY GALLERY TOUR
Watery We
11–11:30 am | Meet at information desk
See Monday listing
PROGRAM
Exploring Vernal Pools
1–1:30 pm and 2–2:30 pm | Atrium
Meet vernal pool animals and find out what makes these watery pools unique, with naturalist Rick Roth, of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond team.
DROP-IN ART ACTIVITY
Salamander Sketches
1:30–2:30 pm | Atrium
Take a close look at frogs, salamanders and other creatures that live in and around local vernal pools. Naturalist Rick Roth offers sketching tips.
Made possible by the Lowell Institute
Included with museum admission
What will you do this summer? Imagine yourself as Wesley as you hear about his amazing adventure in Weslandia, by Paul Fleischman. Then create your own butterfly garden seed mat to plant at home or give as a gift in celebration of Earth Day.
For children ages 5 to 8 with accompanying adult.
Made possible by Target
Included with museum admission
Slow Art Day is a worldwide celebration of art that encourages people to look at art SLOWLY. The goal is to get "inspired not tired." We'll give families fun suggestions and sketching activities to make looking at art slowly a great sharing experience.
Made possible by American Dental Partners
