Celebrate the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Museum & Theatre
This year, we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with “Black is Beautiful Art Exploration” during the January 15th, 16th, and 17th play sessions of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend.
Also, the Museum & Theatre will be OPEN to all members of the public for play sessions on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. (Normally Mondays are reserved for members).
Lastly, we are hosting a donation drive in partnership with Maine Needs for the month of January.
Black is Beautiful Art Exploration
What do you see? What do you think? Join educators for interactive art exploration in the Lunder Arts and Culture Gallery. We will explore and celebrate Javaka Steptoe's illustration from Radiant Child: The story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Step into the pages of children’s book illustrations by Black and Brown artists who inspire us all and discover new meaning behind the art, the subject, the artist and connections to your life. Black is Beautiful Art Exploration occurs during the January 15th, 16th, and 17th play sessions at 10:30 AM at the Beautiful Blackbird exhibit (curated by Marcia Minter of Indigo Arts Alliance).
The MLK Jr. Holiday
Monday, January 17th, we observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday, and celebrate his legacy. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 in the United States, and in 1994 the Martin Luther King Day of Service was signed into law. The day is an opportunity to recognize Dr. King’s nonviolent teachings, and work to build the beloved community, “a society of justice, peace and harmony” (The King Center).
At the Museum & Theatre we work to incorporate and embody the values of the beloved community, within our building, programming, exhibits, and community outreach. At the Museum & Theatre, everyone has value and worth. We strive to create a safe space for people to come as they are and feel accepted to be themselves. We strive to empower our community to embrace what makes us unique, understanding that our differences are what make us strong. We welcome all children and their adults, regardless of ability, age, color, creed, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. We provide a safe space where the diversity of our community is respected, reflected and celebrated, and intentionally design programming within and outside our walls that focuses on equity, access and inclusion. We take our ongoing work seriously to ensure that everyone feels like they belong at the Museum & Theatre.
Donation Drive
MLK Day is not only a holiday, it is a day to take action. Join the Children’s Museum & Theatre in honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by providing special art kits and new socks, undies and diapers for Maine Needs families. We take action to honor Martin Luther King Jr. as a Civil Rights leader and champion of those experiencing poverty. No gift is too small to make a difference in our community.
Bring in kids underwear (NEW only, please!), warm socks, diapers, and diaper wipes for families who are going without these items in our community. Open packages of diapers are accepted! Assemble art kits that will be distributed by caseworkers to families across Maine. Stuff an extra large zip lock bag with drawing paper, construction paper, a coloring book, crayons, watercolor set, markers, scissors, play doh and a glue stick.
Donations can be dropped off in the donation boxes located in the Museum & Theatre lobby whenever the Museum & theatre is open during the month of January: Mondays 10am-1pm and Wednesday-Sunday 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.
