Youth Studio » Early Childhood Art Classes » Artsy Infants
In need of assistance? Visitor Services is available by phone 804.340.1405 starting at 8 am
or in-person at the museum starting at 10 am on registration days.
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: 12 infants
Advance registration required
[EA9] Nature Babies
Mon, May 6, 10:30–11:30 am | Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Spend time in the Sculpture Garden creating your own nature-inspired work of art.
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
[EA1] Wonderful, Colorful You
Mon, Jun 10, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Pause before vibrant paintings in the galleries and paint with bright colors while exploring your baby’s visual capacity in this color-focused class.
[EA2] Activate and Create
Mon, Jun 17, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Let’s move and groove as we explore motion and motor development with action-filled paintings, simple parent-and-baby yoga poses, and engaging art materials.
[EA3] Silly Smiles
Mon, Jul 8, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
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.
[EA4] Armor and Devotion
Mon, Jul 22, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | View Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller and explore the concepts of devotion and attachment.
[EA5] Musical Me
Mon, Aug 5, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Tap a tempo, feel the beat, clap your hands, and stomp your feet! Venture into the galleries to find instruments and create tempo-related art projects.
[EA6] Splish, Splash, Clap!
Mon, Aug 12, 2024
10:30–11:30 am
$22 per baby/adult pair (VMFA members $18)
Art Education Center, Classroom
Ages 3–14 months, with an adult | Enjoy a sensational class filled with water play, seascapes, and water-inspired art materials.
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.
