Experience the art of storytelling at the i.d.e.a. Museum now through Sunday, June 13. Art of the Story. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey that nurture creative thinking and embrace the storyteller within us all. It features art and hands-on activities – including a few new additions this spring – for the whole family.
“Storytelling is not only an important art form, but also a fun way for families to learn together,” said Jeffory Morris, i.d.e.a. Museum curator. “Stories also inspire imagination and more communication.”
A few new activities, including Caligram, a digital story creator; the Tortoise & Hare game, an interactive where choices made determine the winner; and new art activities, including Create a Fairy or Frog Character, will be rotated in to keep the exhibition engaging for returning visitors.
Reduced Capacity
The exhibition is open at limited capacity and with timed tickets to allow for adequate social distancing among guests. Masks – covering nose and mouth – are required for everyone ages 6 and older and strongly encouraged for little ones between ages 2 and 6. Extra cleaning takes place in between sessions.
“We have implemented protocols to help families feel good about getting out of the house for a little fun during this unprecedented time,” Morris said.
Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online. Additionally, guest will receive individual caddies with art supplies; art materials are individually packaged near each activity table.
Exhibition activities
Art of the Story features stories told through various mediums, which includes visual arts, spoken word, film, animation, pop-up books, novels, short stories, dance, music, and other forms of creative narrative expression. Visitors will be delighted to see more than 70 artworks created by artists from around the country, including Arizona, as well as from Canada and Europe. On display are paintings, ceramics, mixed-media monotypes, woodcut prints, drawings, sculpture, glass, fiber, digital photographs and video.
Conversations with Dragons by Shachi Kale
Activities for children of all ages include:
- Designing puppets and putting on a show in our theater cottage
- Experiencing a cultural storytelling tipi
- Making masks and acting out a story via green screen
- Building a story board
Guests are also encouraged to visit ArtVille – a socks-only space aimed at preschools 4 and younger – and the HUB Gallery, featuring STEAM activities for all ages. Currently the museum is offering “Welcome Back” pricing of $4.50 per person ages 1 and up for a limited time. Regular admission is $9 per person; i.d.e.a. Museum members and babies younger than 1 are free.
Our Sponsors
Art of the Story is sponsored by POGO Pass, the i.d.e.a. Museum Foundation, City of Mesa and the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the state of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts. Other financial contributions come from Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community for the museum’s Access for All fund. Learn more at ideaMuseum.org.
The i.d.e.a. Museum is a part of the City of Mesa and is supported by the i.d.e.a. Museum Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to provide sustainable resources to fulfill the i.d.e.a. Museum’s mission through fundraising, advocacy, and partnerships. Its vision is to create infinite possibilities for the i.d.e.a. Museum.
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