Youth Studio » Early Childhood Art Classes » Artsy Infants
Registration for VMFA Members
To accommodate the high volume of enrollment, members-only registration for the following categories will begin as noted below:
Studio School and Art History Classes (ages 16+)
Tue, Apr 11 | 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
Early Childhood (5 years and under), Summer Camps (ages 5–12), and Summer in the Studio (ages 13–17) classes
Wed, Apr 12 | 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
VMFA members have the first chance to register for classes. Not a member? Join today.
Registration for Non-members
Non-member registration for all classes begins
Tue, Apr 18 at 8 am (online or by phone) or 10 am (in-person)
The full schedule of class offerings will be available online in early March 2023.
Questions: 804.340.1405
Ages 3–14 months, accompanied by an adult
It’s never too early to introduce your child to art. This innovative program engages both baby and caregiver through singing and movement activities, in-depth discussions about works of art in VMFA’s collection, and baby-safe art projects.
What to Know Before Coming to Class
Note: Classes are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another class. Be sure to mark your calendars.
ARTSY INFANTS: At the Museum
Ages 3–14 months, accompanied by an adult
Select Mondays, 10:30–11:30 am
Art Education Center
Enrollment limit: 6 infants
Advance registration required
[EA3] Fun with Faces
Mon, Feb 13, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Delight in portraits and facial expressions through songs and games, and watch your baby’s enthusiastic responses.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA4] Musical Me
Mon, Feb 27, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Babies will enjoy bouncing to the beat while discovering musically themed works of art.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA5] Spring Animals
Mon, Mar 13, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Enjoy singing animal songs as you search the galleries for creatures and create animal-inspired art in the studio.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA6] Bonding with Baby
Mon, Mar 27, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Notice the interaction between parents and children in the VMFA collection. Along the way, sing, play, and create with your baby.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA7] Sensational Me
Mon, Apr 17, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Discuss your baby’s developing senses while participating in a sensory-focused tour, story time, and art project.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA8] Light and Bright
Mon, Apr 24, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Catch your baby’s eye with light-filled works of art, shimmering art materials, and interesting gallery spaces.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
[EA9] Nature Babies
Mon, May 8, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Spend time in the Sculpture Garden and create your own nature-inspired work of art.
$20 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $17)
ARTSY INFANTS: At Home
Helpful tips and suggestions for activities to do, and VMFA objects to observe, at home with your baby.
Babies love COLORS!
As infants’ vision develops, they are increasingly attracted to bright, bold colors and works of art with contrast. Color helps us spark memories and influences our emotions.
HERE are a few colorful works of art at VMFA.
Explore colors with your fingers!
Babies can still paint even if they aren’t taking a class in VMFA’s Art Education Center Studios!
Follow the recipe below to make a baby-safe paint and let your infant enjoy a fun sensory experience.
Paint recipe:
1 tbs sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 heaping tbs corn starch
1 cup water
Food coloring
Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the dry ingredients and mix together.
Add the cup of water and stir.
On medium heat, warm and stir as mixture thickens.
Pour into small containers and add various colors of food coloring.
Babies love FACES!
Babies recognize faces long before they recognize other objects. Playing with your baby and imitating their facial expressions benefits their cognitive and social-emotional development.
HERE are a few of our favorite portraits at VMFA.
Babies love MUSIC!
Lap bounces stimulate your baby’s heightened vestibular sense and prepares them for walking, running, dancing, and keeping a beat later on in life. Here is a great article, from Kindermusik (a favorite music program of ours), about why music is important for infants.
HERE are a few of our favorite musical objects from VMFA’s collection.
