News Summary
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum has introduced its Artist in Residence program to inspire creativity in children during summer. Featuring local artists, the program offers hands-on art-making experiences through workshops and activities. Each month highlights different artistic mediums, fostering artistic exploration. Von Ether will lead Origami Workshops in August, accommodating young visitors and encouraging their involvement in art. The initiative reinforces the significance of arts in early childhood education, promoting creative thinking and future aspirations among children.
Grand Rapids – This summer, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is enhancing its commitment to fostering creativity among young visitors with its newly launched Artist in Residence program, which runs through August. This initiative features professional artists who will engage children and families in hands-on art-making experiences aimed at inspiring the next generation of creators.
Each month, the program showcases a different local artist, providing interactive workshops and drop-in activities designed to encourage artistic exploration. Three West Michigan artists—Grace Muchmore, Mahsa Alafar, and Von Ether—are leading the programming throughout the summer. These artists focus on diverse mediums and approaches, including mixed media sculpture, cultural storytelling, and origami, allowing children to experience a wide range of artistic expressions.
Maggie Lancaster, CEO of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, highlights the critical role that the arts play in early childhood education, praising it as a vital component in promoting creative thinking among young minds. The Director of Education & Play, Lacey Latsko, elaborates on how the program not only provides fun and engaging art activities but also helps children see the possibility of becoming professional artists in the future.
In August, the featured artist will be Von Ether, a Grand Rapids-born audio-visual designer recognized for his multidisciplinary skills. He will host Origami Workshops on select Saturdays—August 16 and August 30—from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. These workshops are designed to be accessible to all attendees, with participation included in the general admission fee and no prior registration needed.
During the Origami Workshops, participants will engage in artist-led tutorials, receive take-home folding guides, and have the opportunity to enter a raffle for various prizes, including origami books and colorful paper. Additionally, every child who participates in the workshops will earn a sticker, further encouraging their involvement and creativity.
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum welcomes children aged 0–10 along with their caregivers to explore and engage in creative play. Located at 11 Sheldon Ave NE in downtown Grand Rapids, the museum operates on a regular admission price of $12, with discounts available for seniors, teachers, military members, and eligible families.
For those interested in the full schedule of the Artist in Residence program and detailed information about the workshops, further details can be found by visiting the museum’s official website.
Through initiatives like the Artist in Residence program, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum continues to inspire creativity and imagination in children, fostering an environment where art and play come together to enrich young lives.
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- Hyperallergic: NEA Awards $36.8M in Grants to 1,400 Artists and Orgs
- MLive: 10 Fun Ideas for Grand Rapids-Area Kids to Try Over Summer Break
- Go Erie: Amanda Browder Fabric Installation Specialist
- Traverse Ticker: Famed Architect to Talk Tusen Takk
- New York Times: Staten Island Museum is Reopening
- Wikipedia: Childhood Education
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
- Google Scholar: Art Education Early Childhood
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arts
- Google News: Grand Rapids Art Programs
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GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
