The new Education Center at the Brooklyn Museum will increase participation in art education. Summer Camp at the Brooklyn Museum, August 2023. Photo: Danny Perez

With three studios, a dedicated gallery, and access to art-making and learning for all ages, the Brooklyn Museum’s new Education Center connects creativity with innovation.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK– The Brooklyn Museum will unveil its newly renovated Education Center on January 27, 2024. The 9,500-square-foot space is named in honor of philanthropist Toby Devan Lewis. Lewis’s contributions to the art world have paved the way for a transformative experience for the museum’s diverse audience. This reopening marks a significant milestone, catering to over 50,000 visitors participating in various education programs annually.

The revamped Education Center is a testament to the museum’s commitment to serving diverse age groups. With expanded and reimagined educational programming, the space promises to be a hub for creative expression. The emphasis is not only on art education but also on community engagement. There is a new focus on recognizing the foundational role of intergenerational relationships in building communities.

There are three studios within the Education Center. Each is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems and LED lighting designed to foster creative expression and collaboration. These studios will host regular programs and classes, reinforcing the museum’s dedication to arts education and community engagement.

Rotating Exhibitions and Art Installations

The Education Center also features a 1,300-square-foot gallery for rotating exhibitions, including family-friendly interactive elements. The inaugural installation is Artland by Do Ho Suh and Children. It introduces visitors to an imaginative world filled with enchanting characters and landscapes. This gallery, named the Norman M. Feinberg Gallery, promises an immersive experience for art enthusiasts of all ages.

Allocating 4,600 square feet of office space, the Education Center provides a dedicated area for the museum’s education staff, including a special zone for teen staff and museum guides. This ensures a conducive environment for fostering creativity and supporting the Museum’s educational initiatives.

Adjoa Jones de Almeida, Deputy Director for Learning and Social Impact, expresses excitement about offering beautiful spaces where diverse audiences can connect and nurture their creative potential. She explained that the renovation reflects the museum’s commitment to providing an inclusive platform for everyone to explore and appreciate art.

Arts Education: A Cornerstone of the Brooklyn Museum

Arts education has been at the core of the Brooklyn Museum’s mission for over 200 years. From its founding to becoming one of the first American museums with a dedicated education department, the institution has continuously evolved to provide learning opportunities for all. The Studio Art Program, with its roots dating back to 1941, transforms with a renewed focus on studio-based art-making.

Collaborating with numerous community partners, the Museum has developed innovative art-based programs for visitors of all ages. The Studio Art Program, now featuring drop-in programming on weekends, provides families with opportunities to explore collections through close-looking and interactive activities. Other offerings include guided gallery visits, intergenerational art-making workshops, camps, programs for visitors with disabilities, and early childhood classes.

Architectural: Designing for Inspiration

The success of the Education Center’s renovation is attributed to the architectural expertise of Stephen Yablon Architecture, Design Architect, and Samuel Anderson Architects, Architect of Record/Construction Administration. The facade and curtain wall designs, crafted by AYON Studio, contribute to the aesthetic appeal, with Gilbane Building Company overseeing the construction process.

During the reopening weekend, the Museum invites members, school partners, families, and general audiences to experience the transformed space. Events include art-making, music, giveaways, and an artist talk featuring Nona Faustine and her daughter, Queen Ming. The Sunday Art series on January 28, in honor of the Lunar New Year, promises a vibrant celebration with art-making, teaching artists, and a lion dance performance.

Immersion in Artland: A Fantastical Ecosystem

Artland, a fantastical ecosystem dreamed up by artist Do Ho Suh and his daughters, is a centerpiece of the reopening. This evolving series of islands, sculpted from colorful clay, invites visitors to contribute to the vibrant artwork. First created in Suh’s London home and studio, Artland was previously exhibited in Seoul, South Korea, where children and adults alike added their imaginings to the installation. Brooklyn Museum visitors can continue this tradition, adding to the diverse species of plants and creatures, until May 5, 2024.

The Brooklyn Museum’s Education Center reopening marks a significant step in the institution’s commitment to arts education, creativity, and community engagement. The transformative spaces, programs, and exhibitions reinforce the belief that everyone is an artist. As the Education Center opens its doors, it invites visitors to explore, connect, and nurture their creative potential.

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