Join us for a day of family fun! Explore exhibitions in the galleries, engage in activities designed for families with kids to work on together, and enjoy free samples from Driscoll’s Berry Mobile! Drop into the Art Lab for hands-on art-making and catch a musical performance by the Rubin Brothers! Request free admission tickets online in advance*.  

*On Saturday, August 27, museum admission is FREE for families when accompanied by kids ages 12 and under, with up to 2 adults per family. Timed entry tickets are required, and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Day-of tickets are not guaranteed.

Art-making in the Art Lab, 11am–4pm

Drop into the Art Lab as a family and participate in a new art activity inspired by Jordan Nassar’s artwork. All activities are drop-in, first-come-first-serve basis and space is limited.

 

Live Music with the Rubin Brothers, 11am, 12pm, 1pm

Enjoy live music by the Rubin Brothers— swing era jazz musicians, variety show producers, and jazz clowns! Come watch them sing, play music; juggle, and perform comedic songs drawn from a wide repertoire of music!

 

Free Treats from Driscoll’s Berry Mobile

Enjoy free and healthy treats all day for the whole family from the Driscoll’s Berry Mobile outside the ICA!

 

In the Galleries, 10 AM–5 PM 

4th Floor, Galleries

Our Visitor Assistants (VA) are always eager to talk about the artworks and answer your questions. Pick up a gallery game card to explore the museum as a “Thinker, Maker, Explorer, or Performer.” Great for a variety of ages and for intergenerational audiences to play together. Cards are available on the 4th floor. Questions? Ask a VA on the 4th floor. Only #2 pencils allowed in the galleries. 

 

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.

 

ICA Watershed

Interested in visiting the ICA Watershed in East Boston? Please note, there are no Play Date activities at Watershed, and you will need to select the General Admission & Water Shuttle ticket to visit ICA Watershed on this day.   
 
See our newly opened Revival: Materials and Monumental Forms at the ICA Watershed! ICA Water Shuttle service between the ICA and the ICA Watershed is free with ICA general admission and requires a timed ticket to board. Reserve Water Shuttle tickets (which includes general admission to the museum) with code PLAYDATE here.

 

Artist Bios

The Rubin Brothers

A.J. and Colescott Rubin are instrumentalists, vocalists, old school entertainers, & jazz clowns from Portland, Oregon who aim to lift spirits and make smiles wherever they go, performing jazz, blues, & popular songs of yesteryear with a light hearted energy and danceable beat. Current and graduated students of Berklee College of Music, respectively, they have performed across the country and in many countries, including festivals and clubs in New Orleans, San Diego, Moscow, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and other places. They have performed, recorded, and/or collaborated with Esperanza Spalding, Patrice Rushen, Catherine Russell, Charmaine Neville & John Legend, among others. The Rubins just this summer were given the Boston Opportunity Fund Award by the City of Boston to support their artistic careers. Joined by some of New England’s top swing style musicians, they play every Friday at the Burren Back Patio in Davis Square, Somerville, as well as swing dances, shindigs, hootenannies, jamborees & soirées across New England.   

Swing to their music here and find them on Instagram. 

Questions? Reach us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.

Your support helps keeps programs like this – both virtual and in-person – free and accessible in this time of uncertainty. If you are able, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time gift to support the ICA. 

ICA Kids and Family programs are supported, in part, by the Willow Tree Fund and Raymond T. & Ann T. Mancini Family Foundation. 

August Play Date is sponsored by:

Driscoll's Berries logo