Museum ABCs
This free monthly program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their adult companions. The program is produced in collaboration with the Bennington Free Library and is generously sponsored by the Bank of Bennington whose fundamental and consistent support has made this program possible for the past twelve years. With the support of a $25,000 grant from the A.D. Henderson Foundation, and the Stewart’s Holiday Match, this year the Museum will focus on expanding the reach of the Museum ABCs preschool program to families in Bennington whom we have not yet been able to serve.
The goal of the grant is to determine what barriers there are to participation and how best we can address them. To that end, Bennington Museum has hired June Goff to lead the project as Community Engagement Coordinator. June is a native of Washington County, NY. Her background in museum education includes experience as the Curator of Education at The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic Home and as the Executive Director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum, both in Glens Falls, NY. She started the Tours for Tots program at The Hyde and the Small World program at the Children’s Museum for kids ages 3 – 5 who, with their adult friends, enjoy storytelling, art, and art making.
“My goal has been to engage children and families with the fun and learning that happens when [creatively] looking at and talking about art and objects,” says June. “I am very excited to be returning to the area after a year of COVID isolation in California. I am looking forward to working with Bennington College interns and the Museum and Library staff to introduce the Museum ABCs program to more families in the region.”
An intern from Bennington College will join June to begin this important work. Gwen Asher has worked as a Children’s Programs mentor at the Denver Museum of Nature of Science, a tutor and after-school program facilitator with City Year New York, and has interned with Cafeteria Culture in Manhattan and Free Arts in Los Angeles, to name a few. She loves printmaking, collaging, gardening, and cooking new and exciting dishes. She’s currently finishing her Junior year of school, working toward a BA with a focus on art education and environmental action.
Look for lots of outreach events this summer, including a table for kids activities on Friday evening during the Concerts in the Courtyard series!
Videos just for Kids!
