Before we share our plans, we first want to give a heartfelt and appreciative shout-out to all the healthcare workers and first responders working tirelessly on all our behalf. Thank you also to everyone at University Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health, St. Michael’s Medical Center, and our local and regional police and firefighters.
Across all departments and functions at the Museum, it has been healing for us to come together to create new ways, with art as the catalyst, for you to continue to connect, explore, learn and play. Our collections, galleries and interpretations have always played a vital role in helping us all to better understand and enjoy the world around us. And we plan to continue that mission.
For the next several weeks, we will deliver virtual experiences, through eblasts, social media, videos, podcasts and enhanced content on our website – all with the goal to respond to your curiosity and interests as well as just a need to recharge.
Additionally, we are pivoting to reimagine some of the events that we had been planning, as new digital experiences. These include our upcoming Community Day: Celebrating Earth on April 22, as well as some of our arts workshops, poetry pop-ups and more.
For all our parents challenged with the new temporary norm of providing home schooling for their children, there is also a dedicated effort from our talented Museum staff educators, to provide as much content and stimulus as possible for our students who aren’t able, at this time, to experience the Museum.
We have attempted to consider every audience in this digital outreach, as the examples below, hopefully demonstrate. We will, of course, continue to listen and adapt during these unprecedented times.
Kids and Families
The whole family can have fun with our developing series of virtual artmaking workshops, science experiments, storytimes, and other friendly challenges. All of the activities have been designed and selected with simple and accessible materials that are most likely to already be in people’s homes.
Adults
Adults are invited to participate in our weekly Art Battle: Online Edition for their chance of being featured on the Museum’s social media channels! There are more chances for creativity and learning through our virtual Lunch & Learn series with curators, Ask an Astronomer Q&A sessions, art-making tutorials, trivia questions, polls, a virtual book club, and more.
Educators
Based on the curriculum, educators will have the opportunity to explore various topics through a wonderful online learning experience, featuring 30-minute sessions that involve overviews, deep looking, and follow up activities. Topics include Native America, Asian Adventure, and the Industrial Revolution.
Docents
Docents can continue their training at home through virtual workshops and research material that is accessible online. They can also explore different ways of staying connected and share content that delights and inspires.
Explorers
The Explorers can learn, explore, and socialize from home through specially developed programs. Freshmen and sophomore students are designing visitor experience tours and completing presentations. Juniors are brainstorming and reporting on teen nights and how we might better engage our community when we return. The senior Explorers are putting the finishing touches on their exhibition.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to engage with our content #NMOAatHome and check our schedule of activities updated weekly.
We invite you to delve in and enjoy!
Thank you for all your positive responses to our efforts so far. We are here for you and look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum once we reopen.
With gratitude,
Linda C. Harrison
Director and CEO
The Newark Museum of Art
