Family Programs

Special Family Programs | Family Festival | Community Celebrations | Yoga Flow | Storytelling |

Art Projects to Make at Home

The museum's interactive Family Programs allow parents and children to explore the many aspects of Asian art and culture together. Listen to lively storytelling in the galleries, watch a video or performance, or create a piece of original artwork—these are just a few of the entertaining activities the whole family can enjoy. So bring the kids and have some fun learning about art!

Unless indicated otherwise, all Family Programs are FREE with museum admission, and kids 12 and under always get in FREE!

For more information on Family Programs, e-mail familyprograms@asianart.org or call 415.581.3666. All dates and times are subject to change; please check our calendar for the latest updates.

Special Family Programs

Explore different aspects of Asian art and culture through special family programs such as the Lunar New Year dance and music celebration, special exhibition storytelling and more.

China Tales
Thursdays July 1–August 26

11:00–11:30 am

Shanghai Lounge

FREE with museum admission

Storytellers in Shanghai kept tradition alive and lively with tales from the classics of Chinese literature. Meet the Monkey King, from the epic Journey to the West, as well as other beloved figures from Shanghai Classic Stories as told by Asian Art Museum Storytellers in celebration of our sister city.

Learn about Asian festivals and cultural traditions, such as Chuseok, Diwali, Pasko and more, through hands-on activities, games, performances, workshops and storytelling.

Upcoming Programs

Celebration of India

Saturday, August 28

12 noon-4:00 pm

Free with museum admission

Enjoy a fun-filled day with Chitresh Das Dance Company’s traditional Indian dance performance, a gallery yoga tour with yogini Lorna Reed, and a storytelling hour for the whole family. Meet artist Sanjay Patel, who will present his fascinating new book, an adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana titled Ramayana: Divine Loophole, and make an artwork to take home.

More information, please visit Celebration of India page.

Korea Culture Day

Open House for SFUSD families + teachers

Sunday, September 19

12 noon-4:00 pm

Free with museum admission (admission free to SFUSD students, their guardians and teachers (student or teacher ID required)

Celebrate the Korean harvest festival of Chuseok and welcome the fall season with the whole family. Taste traditional food, learn Korean dance moves, and play games. Join us for a fun art making activity, docent guided tours in Korea Gallery or family storytelling tours with folktales from Korea. An Important Intangible Cultural Property of Korea, Han Sang-soo (whose embroidered bridal robe is currently on view) will demonstrate traditional Korean embroidery techniques.

SFUSD students, their guardians and teachers are invited to attend this program for free to also learn about the museum’s school programs and resources.

YogA Flow

First Sunday of every month

2:00–3:00 pm

Education Studios

Part of the Target First Free Sunday program

Ages 5 and up

Get centered with Yoga Flow. Learn basic poses (asanas) for balance, flexibility and strength as you move your body into positions inspired by sculptures in the museum collection. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

A Modern Yogi’s Guide to Yoga Resources

Did you know that in the United States, September is National Yoga Month?

General:
http://www.yogajournal.com/
http://www.yogamonth.org/
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/
http://www.yogasite.com/
http://www.thesecretsofyoga.com/

Personal Perspectives:
http://www.lamamarut.org/

Practice:
http://home.acceleration.net/clark/COOL938/Email.Essays/Tibetan.Yoga/Five.Rites.html
http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

For Kids:
http://www.yoga4kids.org/
http://www.karmakidsyoga.com/

Movements:
http://hathayoga.net/
http://www.bksiyengar.com/
http://www.bikramyoga.com/
http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/index.html
http://www.ashtanga.com/

Storytelling

Every Sunday
1:00 pm
Meet near the Information Desk
FREE with museum admission
Ages 4 and up

The museum’s storytellers bring the galleries to life telling tales from Asia’s most beloved myths and folktales. From “How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head” to the “Inch High Samurai”, visitors of all ages can delight in the richness and wonder of these classic stories. In September, hear Korean stories in celebration of the harvest festival, Chuseok.

art projects to make at home

Learn more about Asian art and cultural traditions with these fun, hands-on art projects you can make at home.

New coloring page! Artist and animator Sanjay Patel created this cool portrait of the demon king Ravana from the Hindu epic Ramayana (pdf).

New Activity! Make a Thai Style Shadow puppet (pdf) and Thai Spirit House (pdf)

Mempo Mask (pdf)

Kimono Doll Finger Puppet (pdf)

Stencil (Katazome) Kimono (pdf)

Katazome is a traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste applied through a stencil. Try designing fun kimono using different patterns and colors.

Samurai Helmet (Kabuto) (pdf)

Template One (pdf)

Template Two (pdf)

Template Three (pdf)

Chashitsu: Japanese Teahouse Model (pdf)
Make your own three dimensional Teahouse and decorate with colors and fun materials.

Samurai Armor Instructions (pdf)

Template One (pdf)

Template Two (pdf)

Samurai Sword Instructions (pdf)

Make a tsuba (sword guard) and a sword at home with paper, ribbon and other simple materials.

Haiku Instructions

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry made of three lines (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables) that is commonly a meditation on nature. Make an image using colorful paper and ink, and then write a haiku inspired by your creation.

Lead funding for the Asian Art Museum’s Education and Public Programs is provided by the Bank of America Foundation.

Major support provided by the Koret Foundation, Freeman Foundation, Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, and Douglas Tilden.

AT&T is the 2010 Education sponsor for the Asian Art Museum. Additional support provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Wells Fargo, Louise Rosenberg & Claude Rosenberg Jr. Family Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, San Francisco Foundation – Shenson Foundation, Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, Louise M. Davies Foundation, Joseph R. McMicking Foundation, Margaret Liu Collins and Magdalene Chan, Nancy and Stephen Grand Philanthropic Fund, John and Lisa Pritzker Family Fund, Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Philanthropic Fund, Deborah Strobin, Dodge & Cox, Mem Dryan Bernstein, and Bingham McCutchen.

"Target First Free Sundays"—free admission on the first Sunday of every month and the family programs offered on that day—is made possible by Target. Free admission to Target First Free Sundays is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to capacity restrictions, admission is not guaranteed.

The Art Speak teen program made possible in part by a grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Company.