IT’S ARTASTIC!, an exciting new exhibit created at Milwaukee’s Betty Brinn Children’s Museum,
929 E. Wisconsin Ave., debuts March 11.

Collaboration with arts groups throughout the community has been key to creating the new exhibit, which represents the most ambitious exhibit and program project since the museum’s opening in 1995. Many of Milwaukee’s leading performing and visual arts organizations worked with the museum to design the 2,250-square-foot exhibit, offering children exciting opportunities to experiment, create and perform as they learn about arts and culture from around the world.

The spotlight also is on enhanced arts programming throughout the museum and in its newly refurbished Marcus Children’s Theater, including special performances, weekly art workshops and displays of unique art created by and for the children.

“Research confirms that early arts experiences are critical to a young child’s healthy development, and we are thrilled to offer our visitors hands-on opportunities to explore music and rhythm, dance and movement, theater and puppetry, and the visual and language arts,” says Fern Shupeck, executive director of the museum. “The exhibit’s opening marks the completion of a two-year effort to create state-of-the-art experiences in the arts for children and families we serve, and we are deeply grateful to the individuals, corporations, foundations and peer organizations whose generosity made this spectacular enhancement of our museum possible.”

Parents and caregivers are assisted by signage and literature throughout the exhibit, describing how the visual, language and performing arts support a child's healthy development. Arts Central–a resource kiosk and small library–provides books on a variety of art forms and information about arts programs, performances and lessons offered by arts organizations throughout the greater Milwaukee area.

Throughout the year, the museum will host special programs and performances developed by the area’s leading arts organizations, including the Milwaukee Ballet, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Milwaukee Art Museum, First Stage Children’s Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Artists Working in Education, Walker’s Point Center for the Arts, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee Children’s Choir, Modjeska Youth Theater Company, and many others.

Marking its 10th birthday in April 2005, the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is the only area museum designed specifically for children ages one to ten, and features hands-on exhibits and programs that encourage children and parents to learn together. With its premiere location in O’Donnell Park offering spectacular views of the lakefront, the museum also is unique among the more than 300 children’s museums nationwide.

The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday (September-May). Admission is $5 per person, $4 for seniors and free for members and children younger than 1 year. Phone 414-390-KIDS (5437) or visit www.bbcmkids.org for more information.

THEATER & PUPPETRY

Colorful costumes, props, changeable backdrops, set decorations – even a balcony – help children create an original performance in the exhibit’s kid-sized theater. An enhanced puppet theater offers a variety of award-winning Folkmanis® puppets and scripts.

VISUAL & LANGUAGE ARTS

A variety of art and craft materials help children make-and-take a masterpiece, and experiment with pattern-making and mixed media. A specially designed kiosk created in partnership with Toy Tips® provides visual arts activities, while helping adults learn more about selecting arts-focused toys and games.

MUSIC & RHYTHM 

Cutting-edge software allows children to conduct a virtual performance of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra in a pretend concert hall. A special climbing structure invites children to create sounds and musical patterns.

DANCE & MOVEMENT

Children see themselves on a big-screen TV as they perform their own choreography in this one-of-a-kind dance studio. There are mini video dance lessons created by the Milwaukee Ballet and a video library that allows children to select and view dances from around the world. A special shadow wall creates unique effects for viewers on the other side.

SPECIAL MARCH ACTIVITIES

Five Senses Workshop
March 3 at 2 p.m. (Ages 3 and older)
Children can identify and explore the five senses in this hands-on workshop as they take the Jelly Belly® jelly bean taste test, learn how sound travels and experiment with optical illusions.

“It’s Artastic!” Exhibit Grand Opening
March 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Enjoy the exhibit, art workshops and performances. Children’s book author and illustrator Lois Ehlert offers a special story time at 10 a.m. 

“Once on this Island Jr.”
presented by the Milwaukee Youth Theater
March 11 at 12:30 p.m. (Ages 3 and older)
“Once on this Island Jr.” is a Caribbean adaptation of the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, “The Little Mermaid.”

Jewel-Osco Neighborhood Night
March 16, 5-8 p.m.
Enjoy free admission all evening!  Includes a program on eating healthy at 6 p.m. and special art workshop from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Beginning Ballet
Thursdays, March 16 - June 29 at 11 a.m. (Ages 3 and older) Learn basic dance steps with Milwaukee Ballet staff.

Music Makers
March 17 at 1 p.m. (Ages 2 to 5 years)
Play rhythmic instruments, move and sing with Wisconsin Conservatory of Music education staff.

March Movement Madness!
March 22 from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. (Ages 3 and older)
Try dribbling drills, practice ball passing and run relays, then shoot some hoops, create trading cards and receive a Milwaukee Bucks poster.

Music Jamboree
March 28 at 10:30 a.m. (Ages birth to 5 years)
Musical fun for the whole family. The workshop uses the Music Together® program. Register at the information desk the day of the workshop. Space is limited.

It’s Artastic! Is made possible by contributions from individuals and organizations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Major donors include the Dunlap Family, the Fleck Foundation, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund and Anita B. Steinman Fund, the Helen Bader Foundation, Arlene Wilson Lee and Joel Lee, the Maihaugen Fundation, the marcus Corporation Foundation, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Deborah and Timothy Nustad, the Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation and the Stackner Family Foundation. Promotional support provided by media sponsor, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.