Plains Art Museum Launches Virtual Programs
Press Release
For Immediate Release (April 2020)
Fargo, N.D. – As Plains Art Museum is currently closed to the public in response to community efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Museum is sharing a series of virtual programs and resources for all ages throughout April. From live virtual classes to mindfulness exercises, the programs center art-making and art appreciation and offer healthy modes of stress release during this challenging time.
On Friday, April 3 the Museum will share the first in a series of museum and collection-based art activities called “P is for Plains Art Museum.” Each Friday a different letter and theme will be shared as a free downloadable PDF through social media and at plainsart.org.
The week of April 6-10, the Museum will launch volume 1 of The Local Color, a free coloring book for all ages with pages designed by local artists, including Catie Miller, Punchgut, Jeff Knight, and Jescia Hopper. The issue will be available for download at plainsart.org.
Starting Tuesday, April 7, the popular Tuesdays for Toddlers family program will be offered for free weekly through social media. The Museum will share toddler-tested and approved art activities that explore a new household material or object each week, such as a cereal box or tinfoil. Recommended books, songs, and media connected to the projects will be added throughout the week.
Virtual adult classes will begin with Bookbinding on Saturday, April 18, and DIY Screenprinting on Friday, April 24, both taught through videoconferencing by Amanda Heidt. Adult class materials will be shipped to registrants the week before the class, and the session will be recorded and available for participants following the live class. Virtual Youth and Family Classes begin with an Adult + Child Workshop: Artist Trading Cards on Sunday, April 19. Registration for youth and adult virtual classes can be found at plainsart.org.
Later in April, the Museum will share tours, programs and resources related to our current exhibitions, and the April Kid Quest family program will be shared virtually and will combine an art quest and art activity inspired by artwork at the Museum.
On social media, Plains Art Museum will continue to share behind the scenes content related to the permanent collection and current exhibitions while also sharing meditative and calming videos such as #ThrowingThursdays, a chance to appreciate the process of a pot forming on the wheel. Posts exploring mindfulness and healing arts are shared weekly, including tips from Art Therapist Josie Stromseth, art meditation exercises, and creative prompts. Watch for posts and discussions related to our Pollinator Garden later in April.
In addition to these new programs, Hayden’s Art Party led by teaching artist Hayden Swanson will continue to air Monday – Friday at 10:00 am on Facebook Live. Geared toward elementary school children who are currently at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayden’s Art Party is an interactive program featuring art, music, and more. Swanson provides a tutorial for a different art project daily.
For more information about Plains Art Museum virtual educational programming, please contact Netha Cloeter, Director of Education at (701) 551-6109, or email at ncloeter@plainsart.org.
Plains Art Museum is the largest and only AAM-accredited art museum in North Dakota. It is your nonprofit art museum and education center, supported by over 800 individuals and organizations. The Museum and its Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity is located at 704 First Avenue North in downtown Fargo.
For more information about visiting or supporting your art museum, visit plainsart.org.
Let’s Get Through This Together: Plains Art Museum Partners with Dakota Medical Foundation for COVID-19 Relief
Press Release
For Immediate Release (April 2020)
Fargo, North Dakota – In an effort to heal not only the soul, but also the body, Plains Art Museum is announcing that it will donate 10% of each membership purchased between April 27 and May 31, 2020 to Dakota Medical Foundation’s COVID-19 Critical Services Fund.
With COVID-19 still looming over our collective lives, Plains Art Museum is seeking support from the public in our Let’s Get Through This Together campaign to fill an anticipated $325,000 gap in lost revenue. But Plains Art Museum would also like to acknowledge the hard work of those on the front lines by contributing directly to their efforts.
Purchasing a membership at this time not only directly supports Plains Art Museum in a critical time of need but will also immediately benefit those most at risk in our community. This partnership truly aligns with Plains Art Museum’s mission to connect art, artists, and audiences to foster creative, resilient, and welcoming communities. Memberships are available online at plainsart.org/support/membership/.
For more questions, please email Director of Development, Sandy Thompson, at sthompson@plainsart.org.
Plains Art Museum is your nonprofit art museum and education center, supported by over 800 individuals and organizations. The Museum and its Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity are located at 704 First Avenue North in downtown Fargo. For more information about visiting or supporting your art museum, visit plainsart.org.