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?
About the Artist
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.
Free Admission for Youth
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.
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.
Free Admission for Youth
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.
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.
Past Events
Instrument Petting Zoo
Wed, Apr 23, 1–3 PM
Free with admission / in the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater
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.
About Boston Music Project
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.
Free Admission for Youth
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
Peter Reynolds
Photo by Lauren Miller
Peter Reynolds
Photo by Lauren Miller
Peter Reynolds
Play Date: Free Family Art Day
Sun, Sep 7, 10 AM–5 PM
Sun, Oct 5, 10 AM–5 PM
Sun, Nov 2, 10 AM–5 PM
FREE for families / September tickets available August 20
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!
We’ll be giving away special-edition stickers every Play Date this summer (June–September). Attend all four to collect them all! (while supplies last)
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.
September Play Date | Sep 7
Celebrate creativity at ICA Play Date with International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, inspired by the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. Enjoy inspiring art, animated films, and hands-on activities!
Art Lab: Painted Pouches | 10 AM–3 PM Bank of America Art Lab, First Floor Decorate your own school supplies! Design and paint a canvas pouch for your supplies, art materials, or other small treasures. Artmaking is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Last entry: 2:45 PM
Artmaking: Connecting the Dots | 10 AM–3 PM State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor Create a dot inspired artwork to add to a community piece or bring home! Last entry: 2:45 PM
Short Films: The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color | 11 AM–2 PM Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, Third Floor Watch animations of author and illustrator Peter Reynolds’ storybooks The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color! Reynolds will answer audience questions after the first showing. Films will be shown on a 20-minute loop.
Books and Looks: The Museum | 10:30 AM + 12:30 PM ICA Galleries, Fourth Floor Connect with art through picture book readings in the galleries! Enjoy a staff-led reading of The Museum, written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter Reynolds, perfect for inspiring gallery exploration! Each Books and Looks reading lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Meet the Artist + Book Signing | 1–3 PM First Floor Meet Peter Reynolds, author, illustrator, and founder of International Dot Day! Bring your books from home or purchase them from the ICA store to be signed. Book signing is first-come, first-served, as space allows.
October Play Date | October 5
Celebrate the start of spooky season at the ICA! Tap into the season’s spirit of creativity, imagination, and artistic expression.
Stay tuned for a complete lineup of activities!
November Play Date | November 2
See our newest exhibition An Indigenous Present and enjoy art-making activities, story time, and a performance by local Indigenous artists.
Stay tuned for a complete lineup of activities!
Free Admission for Youth
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Get Creative
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.
Food and Refreshments
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
Past Events
April Vacation Week Art-Making
Tue, Apr 22, 12–4 PM
Wed, Apr 23, 12–4 PM
Thu, Apr 24, 12–4 PM
Free with admission / please consider a $5 donation to support the event
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.
Free Admission for Youth
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.
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
Family ART-trek
Sun, Aug 10, 11 AM
Free with museum admission / No pre-registration required
Adventure awaits! Join an ICA educator for a family-friendly, interactive look at Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon. Through games, drawing, and other playful activities, we’ll explore shapes, colors, and jazz influences in Stanley Whitney’s paintings.
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.
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.
Photo by Lauren Miller
Past Events
Art Explorers Family Tour
Sun, Dec 1, 2024, 1–1:45 PM
Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 1–1:45 PM
Free with museum admission / No pre-registration required
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.
Free Admission for Youth
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.
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Photo by Lauren Miller
Past Events
December School Vacation Week
Thu, Dec 26, 2024, 12–4 PM
Fri, Dec 27, 2024, 12–4 PM
Sat, Dec 28, 2024, 12–4 PM
Sun, Dec 29, 2024, 12–4 PM
More Dates
Free with admission / Drop-in, first-come-first-served, and space is limited
Visit the ICA during school vacation week for hands-on artmaking in the Bank of America Art Lab! Decorate and fill a Care Container using paint markers, clay, and other sculptural materials, or design a Care Reflection with mirrored paper, washi tape, shape punches, and more. Don’t miss the final week of our installation, Courage to Care! Participation is drop-in on a first-come, first-served basis. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Free Admission for Youth
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.
Your support helps keep programs like this – both virtual and in-person – free and accessible! If you are able, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time gift to support the ICA.
