Newport Art Museum Opens New, Accessible Space for Kids to Experience Art.

NEWPORT, RI –  The Newport Art Museum (NAM) today announced the upcoming opening of its new Creative Corner, a designated space within the museum for children and families to engage with and create art in an inclusive and accessible environment. The interactive space, which was funded in part by the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College, will open on Saturday, November 2, coinciding with NAM’s Free for All Saturday series featuring free museum admission, family activities, and hands-on art projects inspired by exhibiting artists.

“The Creative Corner embodies Newport Art Museum’s commitment to being a vibrant community home where artists and neighbors of all ages and abilities can come together to create and connect,” said Executive Director Danielle Ogden. “Designed to encourage hands-on exploration and engagement, this space invites families and children to playfully immerse themselves in the creative process. We warmly welcome children and families to join us on Free for All Saturday to explore the space and learn more about our programs and events that make art accessible to everyone.”

This immersive space is part of an effort to create a suite of multi-sensory interactive experiences for all ages and abilities, enhancing access to the arts in Newport. An Access for All Abilities Mini-Grant from the Sherlock Center provided funding for this and other accessibility-focused projects at the museum.

“Our mini grant program supports projects that enable people with disabilities to access and participate in social, leisure, recreational and cultural activities alongside other community members. This innovative space aligns perfectly with that goal, making art and creativity accessible and inclusive for everyone, and we were thrilled to support the museum in creating it,” said Sherlock Center Executive Director Amy Grattan.

In addition to the Creative Corner Kids’ Zone opening, the upcoming Free for All Saturday offers a day of family-friendly activities inspired by Día de los Muertos, Jordan Seaberry’s “We Live Until” exhibition, and a felting activity inspired and facilitated by October’s Artist-in-Residence, Andrea Spiridonakas.

This event series is made possible with the support of sponsors BankNewport and the Rhode Island Foundation, as well as community partners Audrain Hospitality, Connexión Latina Newport, and Viking Tours of Newport. RSVPs are appreciated and can be made on the NAM website.

Also opening on Saturday is NAM’s newest youth art exhibition, “Joy of Being: Exploring the Eight Dimensions of Wellness,” in partnership with the Newport County Prevention Coalition. The opening event from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Museum School will showcase artwork submissions from local students and community program participants. Free art kits, which included watercolor palettes and canvases, were distributed to these participants to inspire creativity around the eight dimensions of wellness.