The Contemporary Austin announces that, due to a generous donation from HomeAway, the world’s leading vacation rental marketplace, its monthly family program Second Saturdays Are for Families will be free of charge for all families for one year, beginning with the October 10, 2015 event.
The popular series, which serves approximately 200 family visitors per month at the museum’s Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria, will continue with hands-on art-making workshops inspired by the exhibitions on view and geared toward children aged two to eleven. Each month brings a different theme and different activities, including family-friendly performances, opportunities to meet local artists, and on-site and take-home art activities. Families can drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. every second Saturday of the month to enjoy the activities and explore the lush, fourteen-acre art-in-nature site. And now, rather than requiring a $10 admission fee per family, the afternoon will be absolutely free.*
“At The Contemporary, we are proud to have hosted Second Saturdays Are for Families for over 9 years and to have served more than 14,000 children and their families,” said Abby Mechling, Associate Educator for Family and Community Programs at The Contemporary Austin. “Thanks to the incredible support of HomeAway, many families–for whom the $10 admission fee may have been a barrier in the past–will now have opportunities to learn and create together among the beautiful natural surroundings and world-renowned contemporary art at The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria.
Upcoming Second Saturdays Are for Families events (from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.):
- October 10, 2015 – Bubble Blowout – Learn how to sculpt a unique bubble wand, inspired by a foam-tastic new artwork on the grounds of Laguna Gloria. Test your bubble-making skills, then catch a magical performance by a local bubble artist!*
- November 14, 2015 – Hidden Histories – Peek inside the past life of the historic Driscoll Villa! Time-travel with The University of Texas at Austin Museum Theatre students, who will bring works of art in the Strange Pilgrims exhibition to life, then make a photo-inspired project to take home!*
- December 12, 2015 – Gingerbread Villas – Be the ART-chitect of your very own candy home! We’re whipping up edible abodes like you’ve never seen before, inspired by the architecture of the Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria.*
- January 9, 2016 – Home Tweet Home – Be a good neighbor by designing a modern birdhouse to keep your feathered friends warm this winter. Feeling hospitable? Add more houses to create a whole bird neighborhood.*
*Museum grounds, art activities, and performances are open to all guests and available free of charge. Art-making supplies may be limited and art activities are first-come, first-served.
For more information, please visit The Contemporary Austin website.
