Culturally Speaking

Doesn’t matter what town you live in if this sounds familiar: Drop off, pick up. Drop off, pick up. Or…drop off, go to work, pick up. Drop off, go to work, pick up. You could live anywhere, really.

But you don’t! You live in Toronto, home of some of the world’s most impressive cultural institutions just begging for you to introduce your children to them.

For example, how many of you know about the free Sundays at the Art Gallery of Ontario? We can guarantee your children will know the names of a few masters and have something to hang on the wall, in a frame, for real. The studio space is huge and filled with light and the children (and you) can enjoy a taste of downtown. Make a day of it with a side excursion to some of the neighbouring attractions, such as Chinatown or University of Toronto, to soak up the inspiration.

With Jamie Kennedy’s new resto and its beautiful, newly renovated décor, the Gardiner Museum, Canada’s only museum dedicated to ceramics, has had a bit of a rebirth. But we’ve known the secret of their amazing children’s classes for a while. If you have a child six years or older who likes to get their hands dirty (what kid doesn’t?), we recommend you check out the Open Clay Studio and make some space on your bookshelves for the incredible clay creations that will come home. The sessions are Friday evenings from 6-8 pm and Sunday from 1-3 pm ($8 for adults, $5 for kids, $3 for firing). Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis so arrive early!

Is there anyone in your house who can’t sit down? Sign them up for the Can’t Sit Still classes at the National Film Board (NFB) for 3 to 5 year-olds or the Open House Animation Workshops for kids 6 through 13. They’re part of the Mediatheque Animation Workshops offered through the NFB. They help kids construct their own characters with different types of materials and then use them to produce a short film. You can’t really go wrong—unless you forget to book ahead and can’t get in. So book early because these classes fill up fast. And you may just discover a budding filmmaker inside!

Get a little culture and give your kids the chance to be great or just great at having fun.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
(416) 979-6648
1-877-225-4246
www.ago.net

Gardiner Museum
111 Queen’s Park
(416) 586-8080
www.gardinermuseum.on.ca

NFB Mediatheque
150 John Street
(416) 973-3012
www.nfb.ca

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