Detroit, MI (November 15, 2018)—“Any time an amazing cultural resource in the city can connect with parents and their young children, it's a positive for the community.” – Teri John, Director of Education Programs, Detroit Institute of Arts
In an effort to connect with young audiences and celebrate arts and culture, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) hosts over 75,000 school-age children through programming each year. Families with young children are one of the museum’s target audiences, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities. However, throughout the DIA’s history, it has not launched an initiative with a specific focus on pre-school age children and their parents or guardians.
Funding from Walters Family Foundation will aid in the development of a ground-breaking new “DIA Head Start” program for toddlers ages three to five years. The museum will partner with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation to design and launch this initiative, serving families who live in high-poverty areas. The program will consist of three 45-minute gallery experiences that engage pre-school children and their parents with the DIA’s collection. It will pilot in the fall of 2018 and continue for two additional school years.
“The goal is to give young children a really positive experience at the museum,” says Teri John. “But even more importantly, it will help parents learn how to engage with their kids in the museum so both children and parents will want to come back again.”
Research shows that children who experience the arts in family groups build lifetime engagement with arts and culture. Through this innovative initiative, the DIA will provide cultural access and unique learning for young children that will help them reach their full potential.