Address
103 Charlton Street, NY, NY 10014
Phone Number
(212) 274 - 0986
Date Visited
05/13/2018
Website
Childrens Museum of the Arts
Description
The Children’s Museum of the Arts is located at 103 Charlton Street in Manhattan. Parking must be found on the street, or in a nearby garage.The street-level, double door entrance leads to a small entryway and another set of double doors. The admission counter is located here.Six steps, or a lift, get one to the upper floor. Floors are concrete or flat carpet. Several benches are in the central gallery. There is some seating in each of the activity centers as well. There are separate activity areas for children from ten months – five years, and five years and up. There is a play area for the little ones. Single occupancy, handicapped-accessible restrooms have baby-changing stations. There are no food services.
- Paths and walkways: concrete sidewalk
Doors: street-level, double doors
Number of floors: 2
Elevators: lift - to upper floor
Steps and staircases: six steps to upper level
Width of aisles: spacious
Places to sit: benches in main gallery; seating in studios
Location of restrooms: in hallway near studios
Type of restroom: two, single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible rooms
Ease of entry and exit: OK
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: none
Friendliness of staff: extremely friendly and professional
Notes: Parking must be found on the street or in a nearby garage/lot
We headed into Manhattan to see some “Peanuts” (Peanuts Global Art Collective) murals that were on display within a few blocks of the Children’s Museum of the Arts. This is a venue I knew nothing about. Now that I have visited it, I can’t say enough good things about it. Their mission says it all, “…to introduce children and their families to the transformative power of the arts by providing opportunities to make art side-by-side with working artists.” It is an amazing place that I cannot wait to take my granddaughter to.
Located in the Hudson Square neighborhood of Manhattan, street parking was easy early on a Sunday morning. There are also garages nearby. Street-level, double doors got me to the lobby and admission desk. When I explained the purpose of my visit, I was introduced to a lovely gentleman named Fermin, who offered to show me around. He explained that the museum is on two levels. Six steps got us to the upper level. If needed, there is a lift next to the stairs. As we got to the top of the steps I had the sense of being in a museum gallery, which is the intent. Fermin explained that art making activities inspired by the theme of the current show are led each day by a teaching artist. This was only the beginning of what is offered here. The “Clay Bar” has a counter and high chairs, where one can create anything he/she can imagine, with the help of a Clay Bar Teaching Artist. The area seems to be quite popular and, I was told, often has a wait. Other labs on this level include a fine arts studio, sound booth, media lab, and other activities, each led by a teaching artist. There is even a “quiet room” where families can relax or calm down. This level is intended for children ages five and older.
The Wee Arts Studio is, “an inviting studio for ages 5 and under. Homemade play-dough, flubber, musical instruments, and all sorts of art supplies are available for exploration led by a welcoming staff of early childhood Teaching Artists.” (website) The Swirl Studio and The Bridge offer spaces for more exploration. They are the only spaces that are not accessible to wheelchairs.
There are many events and classes as well as General Admission and “Under 5s Drop in Classes.” Any child with a disability and their caregiver is granted FREE admission to the general public hours. Workshops are designed to be universally accessible, incorporating many different learning styles. Check the Museum’s website or call for more information.
I was amazed by how much there is to do here. I would suggest that, if you are coming with a younger child and an older one it would be best to have two adults, so that each can accompany a child to the areas that are best for them.
There are two sets of single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible restrooms, one near the Sound Booth and one in the WEE Arts Studio. There are places for adults to sit throughout the venue.
Once again, I must say how impressed I was with everything about this Museum and how knowledgeable and sensitive Fermin was. Don’t miss an opportunity to take your kids here.
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, www.cmany.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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