Workshops for Children

The Office of Educational Programs offers innovative and engaging workshops in which children and their families explore the collections and exhibitions at the Museum. Through in-gallery experiences and art projects, children learn about the arts and cultures of the world. See the Museum Calendar for a complete listing of all children's programming or see below for two studio art workshops being offered this fall.

Register now for:

January 31, Sunday
1:30 – 4 pm
Tate Room

Percy Jackson’s Shield

Opening with scenes that take place in the Greek and Roman galleries of a museum, The Lightning Thief tells the story of Percy Jackson’s discovery that he is no average boy as he embarks on adventures to return Zeus’ master bolt of lightning. Percy Jackson, a twelve year old boy with dyslexia and ADHD, is the unlikely hero of The Lightning Thief, the first book in the popular series (now a major motion picture) Percy Jackson and the Olympians based on Greek mythology. In the realm of the gods and the demigods, Percy’s learning disabilities become assets. Throughout the series of books, he is assisted by other demigod friends and uses the hero’s tools, Riptide, his sword, and a shield forged for him by his Cyclopes half-brother, Tyson. In this workshop, participants will create a shield for Percy with the help of Alan Bremer, President of the Georgia Goldsmith’s Group.

For children 8 to 12 years. $12 for Carlos Museum members; $15 for non-members. Registration is required by calling 404.727.0519.

February 21, Sunday
1:30 – 4 pm, Tate Room
Dyed in the Wool

Uniting the skills of humans, the wool of camels, and the colors extracted from bugs and plants, woven blue-faced beings lie hidden behind hundreds of red tassels in a fascinating Andean textile on display for the first time at the Carlos Museum. In this workshop, Paula Vester, Atlanta fabric artist, will teach children to dye camelid fibers using cochineal bugs, try their hand at the seemingly magical process of indigo dyeing, use a drop spindle to create yarn, and make tassels.

For children 8 -12 years. $12 for Carlos Museum members; $15 for non-members. Registration is required by calling 404.727.0519.

Children's Concerts

The Carlos Museum offers an exciting series of chamber music concerts for children and families performed by The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta and special guest artists.  Family concerts are a wonderful way to introduce children of all ages to chamber music in the intimate space of the Carlos Museum's Reception Hall. Concerts last for approximately one hour. 

Concerts take place on Sunday afternoons at 4 pm in the Reception Hall on Level Three of the Museum. Tickets are $4 per person (children under three are free)  and may be purchased at the Arts at Emory Box Office (404.727.5050). Family members of the Carlos Museum receive up to four free tickets to the entire series. Family memberships are available through the Membership Office (404.727.2623) for $90 per year. If you are already a family member and would like to receive tickets, call the Arts at Emory Box Office to request your complimentary tickets.

The next family concert at the Carlos Museum will feature the Vega String Quartet performing music of the season on Sunday, December 13 @ 4 pm.

Family Concerts at the Carlos Museum are made possible through the generous financial support of the Christian Humann Foundation.

Other upcoming Family Concerts:

Sunday, February 14 at 4 pm
Chinese Valentine's Day New Year's Celebration
Bright Sheng's Three Chinese Love Songs and performances on traditional Chinese instruments celebrate both holidays.

Sunday, March 21 at 4 pm
Happy Birthday, Mr. Chopin and Mr. Schumann!
The composers will be in attendance to comment on performances of their works.

Sunday, April 25 at 4 pm
Atlanta's Young Artists
An annual showcase of some of Atlanta's most talented pre-college musicians.

Artful Stories at the Museum

When ancient art, great stories, and inquisitive children are brought together something exciting happens and young imaginations flourish! Beginning this fall, the Carlos Museum will be offering a new program for children three to five years old accompanied by a parent or other adult. Once a month on select Saturdays, children will be able to sit in the galleries surrounded by works of art and hear stories of ancient Greece, Egypt, Asia, and the Americas read by Emory faculty and Museum curators and staff. After the story, children and their companions will move to the Tate Room to create works of art based on the story and the cultures represented in our collections.

December 12, Saturday
10 am, Scripture for the Eyes exhibition galleries, Level 3

Bring your family to hear one of the foundational stories in Christianity, the story of Jesus' birth, while surrounded by 16th century prints of the Nativity in the exhibition. After the story and a look at woodcut prints, the children will use a simple printmaking technique to create nativity scenes of their own. 

This program is open to families with children of all ages. Free to the public. Space is limited. Please RSVP by calling 404.727.0519.  

January 23, Saturday

10 am, Greek and Roman Galleries, Level One

Under the gaze of the goddess Demeter, hear the story of Persephone who "had loved life, all of it: the quiet deer of the forest, the eagles in the noonday sky, the scent of rain," in this ancient story about the mythical origins of winter and the significance of the pomegrantate as told by author Cynthia Rylant in her book of Greek myths, The Beautiful Stories of Life. Following the story, children will create edible art with pomegrantate seeds!

For children 3-5 years accompanied by an adult. Free to the public. Registration is required by calling 404.727.0519. 

February 6
10 am, Egyptian Galleries, Level One

Aida is an op era that tells the story of an Ethiopian princess who is captured and becomes a slave in Egypt. As a slave, she falls in love with an Egyptian military officer who struggles between his love for her and his loyalty to Pharaoh. Leontyne Price, American operatic soprano, has written this story in language and tone appropriate for young children. After reading the story in the Egyptian galleries, we'll be treated to Atlanta opera singers performing selections from Aida. For children 3 - 5 years accompanied by an adult. Free to the public. RSVP reguired by calling 404.727.0519.