Program Description
A collaborative project of three major museums in the Massachusetts Berkshires region—The Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA)—Kidspace and its partners organize programs that investigate a wide range of artistic themes, contemporary art-making methods and materials with the purpose of increasing participants’ understanding of contemporary art and strengthening their visual literacy skills. Kidspace organizes innovative exhibitions in partnership with six local elementary schools. The school outreach program reaches every Pre-K–5th grader and all elementary teachers through artist residencies, multiple gallery visits, interdisciplinary curriculum materials, and teacher workshops. The program also includes after school art classes for teens; numerous family programs; public hours; and website resources.
The Three Museum Collaboration
Kidspace is a collaborative project of the Clark Art Institute, WCMA, and MASS MoCA—three museums with outstanding exhibitions, public programs, and deep commitments to the community. Kidspace is integral to all three organizations’ educational programming and access strategy, helping to build bridges between the local community and professional artists and their artwork. Kidspace staff works closely with the three museum education staff and directors to plan programs and exhibitions, and to ensure the financial stability of the project. Moreover, building upon their experience in Kidspace, North Adams and North Berkshire students participate in the Kidspace Three-Museum Semester, making field trips to the three museums that compliment their visits to Kidspace.
A Brief History
Kidspace, a 2,400 square foot contemporary art gallery and art-making space, first opened its doors in the MASS MoCA complex in North Adams, MA in January 2000. Since then, Kidspace has mounted 17 major thematic exhibitions and over 13,000 student and general public visitors participate annually. Kidspace has worked with the same 110 classes each year, and has become an integral part of the public schools annual curriculum plans. Continuity is key with Kidspace, with each year of programming building on the last. For instance, students who were in kindergarten when the gallery first opened in 2000, have experienced 6 years of vibrant, innovative contemporary art including interactive, technology-based art, large-scale paintings of magical flowers, sculptures made out of phone books, and chairs sculpted with grass.
School Programs
Kidspace programming is geared to children who have had little exposure to the arts and to schools that are eager to incorporate arts-based learning into their curriculum but lack the resources to do so. Kidspace is part of the life of every elementary schoolchild and teacher in North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, and Savoy, MA.
Through its partnership with local public schools, Kidspace introduces children to contemporary art and integrates the study of art with the general curriculum. During class visits to the space, students work with Kidspace staff to interpret the art on view and respond to the exhibition themes through their own artistic production. Students also work with their teachers in the classroom on projects outlined in a curriculum guide that accompanies each exhibition. Additional partnerships are formed with local organizations, such as Williams College and the Center for Ecological Technology, that help support the learning in the schools and connect to themes being explored in Kidspace programs.
Kidspace organizes an extensive artist residency program with the professional artists who are featured in Kidspace exhibitions. These artists visit the six public schools to work with students on art projects using materials and artistic processes similar to their own. Additional visits with the artists often take place at Kidspace, where students can have a second opportunity to explore the Kidspace exhibition—this time with the artists who created the work on display. And when possible, Kidspace brings in local artists and writers to also conduct residency programs relating to themes in Kidspace exhibits.
Students also visit one or more of the three collaborating museums (WCMA, Clark, or MASS MoCA) as part of the Kidspace Three-Museum Semester. These visits enable teachers and students to continue to hone their art viewing and interpreting skills while examining the diverse collections and exhibitions in the different museums.
Students from other school districts including Williamstown, Pittsfield, and Adams have also participated in Kidspace. Though not part of the larger Kidspace program, individual classes can sign up for a tour of Kidspace and work on art projects in the gallery.
Future Exhibitions (Fall 2008–Fall 2010)
October 2, 2008–February 22, 2009
Illuminations: Adam Chapman
The fall exhibit will feature five technology-based works by Brooklyn artist Adam Chapman. The artist uses videos, DVDs, projectors, and computers to generate and present art illuminating his fascination with birds, nature, language, and patterns.
March 26–September 6, 2009
CRIB, featuring a large-scale installation project with Matt Bua
Installation artist Matt Bua will organize a three-part exhibition project celebrating alternative/experimental architecture entitled Cribs to Cribbage—two exhibits of which will take place in North Adams. The installation in Kidspace’s gallery—CRIBS—will feature an overloaded crib with the artist’s “pack-ratted” material possessions such as random detritus, found paintings, thousands of vacation slides, and 50 guitars rescued from the streets of New York. The second installation will take place in the community and will be made by local students alongside Bua.
October 8, 2009–February 28, 2010
You Art What You Eat: Food As Art Material
Featuring Liz Hickok, Chandri Bocci, Saxton Freymann, Luisa Caldwell
This exhibition will involve a group of artists who use candy, fruits, vegetables, J-ello, and food-related paraphernalia as art material and to illustrate their ideas about the world.
March 25, 2010–September 6, 2010
Beyond Myths: Native American Realities
Featuring G. Peter Jemison, Anna Tsouhlarakis, Will Wilson, Sarah Sense
For the spring exhibition, Kidspace will work with Native American contemporary artists to explore Native cultural identity and will use their experiences as a springboard for a larger discussion on multiculturalism in the 21st century.
Kidspace Staff
Laura Thompson, Ed.D., Director of Exhibitions and Education
For 6 years, Laura has been Kidspace’s director of exhibitions and education and has organized 12 exhibition and curricula projects. Laura oversees all aspects of the Kidspace project from grants to exhibition and program development, staffing to budgets. She has over 18 years experience in the museum field, is a certified educator, and holds a doctorate in arts education from Columbia University Teachers College. Laura is also a visiting assistant professor of art history at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and when time allows, enjoys painting large-scale oil paintings. Laura is a mother of 2.
Shannon Toye, Education Coordinator
Shannon began her tenure with Kidspace in 2004 when she interned as an education major at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In 2007, she became a full-time member of the Kidspace staff, teaching in the gallery and schools, as well as coordinating many program aspects. Shannon is a certified educator and has 14 years experience working with children in educational setting. She also completed children’s yoga and creative movement certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA. Shannon is a mother of 2, with 1 on the way.
Karen Arp-Sandel, After School Artist Mentor
Since 2001, Karen has been the Kidspace after school artist mentor, teaching art to middle school students in the gallery. Karen brings 25 years of experience as an artist/educator to her role as Kidspace After School Artist Mentor. She holds a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification from the University of Massachusetts. Karen is a dedicated artist generating her own collage and mixed media work and also is the Department Head in 3-D Arts at IS183 Art School of the Berkshires in Stockbridge, MA. Karen recieved completed Kripalu Yoga teacher certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA. Karen is a mother of 2.
Josephine Edmondson, Executive Intern
Jo has been an intern with Kidspace since June 2008, overseeing public hours and planning programs and curriculum materials. Jo will continue to work with Kidspace in the fall, assisting with after school program coordination and with artist residencies. She is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona with a BFA.
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