Still from Dog & Pony short film.
Still from Untouchable short film.
Lights, camera… fun! Catch a lineup of kid-friendly short films from the 2025 Boston International Kids Film Festival. Come for one session or double the fun and see both!
11 AM |Shorts for 10 years old and under (50 min runtime)
2 PM | Shorts for ages 11–15 (74 min runtime)
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Step into the world of Big Baby by artist Robert Peters —a reimagination of the Wampanoag legend of Maushop, a giant who is said to have shaped the areas now known as Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. In Peters’ art and story, Maushop is born as a giant baby raised by the community he grows to protect.
Make art in the Bank of America Art Lab inspired by the way Maushop shapes and protects the land. Use clay and other sculptural materials to be a landshaper, and create a personally meaningful place or bring something from your imagination to life. How would you protect and care for this place? How does it provide for you, and how will you give back to it?
Robert Peters is a Mashpee Wampanoag artist, poet, and author. His expansive work — from children’s literature and poetic essays to paintings and community murals — promotes understanding and healing among Indigenous people.
His first published book, Da Goodie Monsta (2009), was inspired by a dream his son had as a young child and tells the story of a monster who chases away nightmares. Peters released Thirteen Moons Calendar: A Meditation on Indigenous Life (2015 and 2020) featuring poetry, essays, and thoughts written over 20 years. His most recent self-published work, Big Baby (2024), tells a reimagined story of Wampanoag legendary giant Maushop as a baby.
Peters’ public art can be found in community spaces on Sachem Street in Revere, MA; in dormitories at the University of Massachusetts Boston; and in a mobile collaboration with three other Native artists honoring Native Boston Marathon runners. Peters continues to write, paint, and work with youth. He is a fire keeper and a keeper of oral tradition.
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
Questions? Reach out to us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Photo by Ally Schmaling
Meets on 4th floor
Adventure awaits! Join an ICA educator for a special Mother’s Day family-friendly tour of Portraits from the ICA Collection. Through games, drawing, and other playful activities, we’ll explore pictures of mothers and mother-like figures.
This program is designed for children 12 and under and their accompanying adults. First come, first served for up to 20 participants.
Are there access accommodations that would be useful to help you fully participate in a tour (e.g., assistive listening devices (ALDs), portable gallery stools)? Let us know at accessibility@icaboston.org.
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
Questions? Reach out to us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Portraits from the ICA Collection is organized by Erika Umali, Curator of Collections.
This exhibition is funded, in part, with support from Leadership in Arts Museums, an initiative to create more racial equity in art museum leadership, supported by the Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Pilot House Philanthropy, and Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Additional support is generously provided by The Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Exhibition Fund.
Enjoy a special program with Boston Music Project! Visit the “Instrument Petting Zoo” for an interactive experience where kids can explore and play a variety of instruments with guidance from one of their talented Teaching Artists. Experience music by a live jazz pianist during the program. Participation is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Last entry 15 minutes before closing.
For over a decade, the Boston Music Project has provided music-based Creative Youth Development programming to thousands of Boston youth. Our team of diverse teaching artists provides weekly music education to thousands of PreK-12th grade students at 22+ Boston schools each year. BMP before, after, and in-school programs provide students with the resources and support to unleash their musical creativity through strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, and digital music instruction while fostering their social-emotional skills to find success in music, school, and life.
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time, thanks to the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0–18.
Your support helps keep programs like this free and accessible! If you are able, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time gift to support the ICA.
Photo by Lauren Miller
Join us on the first Sunday of the month for a day of free family fun! Enjoy art-making, gallery activities, performances, and workshops designed to deepen kids and families’ connections with contemporary art. All activities are drop-in, first come first served. Space is limited. Explore our Kids + Families page to help plan your visit!
Reserve free admission tickets online in advance. When accompanied by kids 12 and under, up to 2 adults per family receive free museum admission. Use the code PLAYDATE when reserving your ticket(s). Tickets will become available mid-month the month before each Play Date. Advance tickets are strongly recommended; day-of tickets are not guaranteed.
Art-making: Pop-Up Cards | 10 AM–3 PM
Bank of America Art Lab, First Floor
Use fun new techniques and try out different shapes, pop-ups, and materials to create a one-of-a-kind card for a friend, family member, or loved one! Art–making is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Last entry 2:45 PM.
Art-making: Album Art | 10 AM–3 PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Create an album cover inspired by the art and music in the museum! Decorate an album sleeve for your favorite artist or band—real or imaginary! You can even add a track list of favorite songs. Art–making is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Last entry 2:45 PM.
Youth Concerts with Boston Music Project | 11 AM + 12 PM
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, Second Floor
Catch a performance by the talented youth musicians from the Boston Music Project! Enjoy a lively arrangement of classic and modern tunes for all ages. Each performance is approximately 20 minutes long.
Books and Looks | 10:30 AM + 1:30 PM
Galleries, Fourth Floor
Connect with art through the creative worlds of picture books! Join our staff for a guided reading of family-friendly storybooks in the galleries. Each Books and Looks reading lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Please note: there will be no January Play Dates The ICA will be closed December 29 through January 4. We look forward to seeing you for February Play Date!
Warm up your winter with art-making, gallery fun, and more!
Stay tuned for a full lineup of activities!
Start your month with new exhibitions, art-making, and activities for the whole family!
Stay tuned for a full lineup of activities!
Ring in spring with inspiration and creativity!
Stay tuned for a full lineup of activities!
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
Questions? Reach out to us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Stanley Whitney, Color Bar, 1997. Oil on linen, 72 3/4 × 85 1/4 inches (184.8 × 216.5 cm). Private Collection. Photo courtesy of Stanley Whitney Studio. Artwork © Stanley Whitney
Discover our featured exhibition Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon in this interactive tour led by an ICA expert educator. Through games, drawing, and other playful activities, +1 youth members 12 years old and under and their +1 guest are invited to explore shapes, colors, and jazz influences in Stanley Whitney’s paintings. +1 youth members can always bring one adult guest for free to the museum!
Tours at 1:30 pm are targeted toward youth members 6 years old and under.
Tours at 2:30 pm are targeted toward youth members 7–12 years old.
For questions, please email plus1@icaboston.org.
Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon is organized by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
The exhibition is curated by Cathleen Chaffee, Charles Balbach Chief Curator, Buffalo AKG Art Museum. The ICA/Boston’s presentation is organized by Ruth Erickson, Barbara Lee Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, with Tessa Bachi Haas, Assistant Curator.
With warmest thanks, we gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Gagosian and the ICA’s Avant Guardian Society in making the ICA’s presentation of this exhibition possible.
Stanley Whitney, James Brown Sacrifices to Apollo, 2008. Oil on linen. 72 x 72 inches (182.9 x 182.9 cm). Private Collection. Courtesy Stanley Whitney Studio. Photo by Lisson Gallery. © Stanley Whitney
You are invited to the inaugural Spring Art Celebration for +1 youth members and their guests! Enjoy an evening of music, fun, and engaging art experiences for all in celebration of the opening of two new exhibitions: Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon and Christian Marclay: Doors.
Dance to music by A Trike Called Funk, make a pencil pouch inspired by Stanley Whitney’s colorful paintings, and get your own +1 logo cap with art by a graffiti artist—customized just for you! All activities are designed and presented by artists and educators in this fun evening celebrating art and your own creativity.
This is a special opportunity for +1 members (youth 18 and under) and their families to enjoy a unique art experience. Each +1 member may invite one adult guest for free! Don’t miss out – RSVP today!
For questions, please email plus1@icaboston.org.
Groove with A Trike Called Funk, a pop party on three wheels! This participatory dance and music event is led by emcee and dance educator Stan “eSKapade” Karachev.
Express your signature style! Event participants receive a +1 logo baseball cap* that you can have customized just for you by a Boston graffiti artist Joel “Aware” Zayas from the famous “Graf Nuts”/GN crew! .
*While supplies last
Plus, make your own artwork inspired by the Stanley Whitney exhibition in the Bank of America Art Lab. Create a colorful keepsake pencil pouch using bold colors, abstraction, and musical inspiration found in Whitney’s artwork. Participation is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Last entry 15 minutes before closing.
4:30 + 6:00 PM
Learn more about Stanley Whitney’s art via a guided sketching activity and pop-up talk in the galleries.
5:30 + 6:30 PM
Explore different styles of portraiture in our collection, and be inspired to create your own portrait during this interactive gallery activity.
Each session is 30 minutes long and is led by a youth educator.
The ICA Wine + Coffee Bar will be open until 8:30 PM with a selection of soft drinks and light bites.
Plus, get a neighborhood discount at Greco! Show your ICA entry sticker at Greco on April 25 to save 10% off your purchase.
Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon is organized by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
The exhibition is curated by Cathleen Chaffee, Charles Balbach Chief Curator, Buffalo AKG Art Museum. The ICA/Boston’s presentation is organized by Ruth Erickson, Barbara Lee Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, with Tessa Bachi Haas, Assistant Curator.
With warmest thanks, we gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Gagosian and the ICA’s Avant Guardian Society in making the ICA’s presentation of this exhibition possible.
Christian Marclay: Doors is organized by Tessa Bachi Haas, Assistant Curator.
Photo by Lauren Miller
Visit the ICA during school vacation week for hands-on artmaking in the Bank of America Art Lab! Inspired by the exhibition Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon, create a colorful painted keepsake using bold colors, abstraction, and musical inspiration found in Whitney’s artwork. Participation is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
Questions? Reach out to us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
Your support helps keep programs like this free and accessible! If you are able, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time gift to support the ICA.
Photo by Ally Schmaling
Meets on 4th floor
Join an ICA educator for a family-friendly, interactive look at An Indigenous Present. Through games, drawing, and other playful activities, we’ll uncover the stories and creative processes of exhibition artists. Come explore, imagine, and connect through art!
This program is designed for children 12 and under and their accompanying adults. First come, first served for up to 20 participants.
Are there access accommodations that would be useful to help you fully participate in this program (e.g., assistive listening devices (ALDs), portable gallery stools)? Let us know at accessibility@icaboston.org.
An Indigenous Present is organized by Jeffrey Gibson and Jenelle Porter, guest curators, with Erika Umali, Curator of Collections, and Max Gruber, Curatorial Assistant.
This exhibition is supported in part by Mathieu O. Gaulin, the Leonard and Ruth Horwich Family Foundation, Peggy J. Koenig, Kim Sinatra, the Fotene Demoulas Fund for Curatorial Research and Publications, and an anonymous donor.
With warmest thanks, we gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the ICA’s Avant Guardian Society in making this exhibition possible.
Photo by Lauren Miller
Is a child in your family learning the ABC’s, starting to spell, or already reading chapter books? No matter what level they find themselves, join the ICA for a family-friendly, interactive tour of Wordplay! Through games, drawing, and other playful activities, we’ll explore letters, words, and contemporary art together.
This tour is designed for children 12 and under and their accompanying adults. First come, first served for up to 20 participants.
Tour meets on 4th Floor.
Are there access accommodations that would be useful to help you fully participate in this program (e.g., assistive listening devices (ALDs), portable gallery stools)? Let us know at accessibility@icaboston.org.
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
