Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum- If you’ve ran out of time to book summer camps and are still looking for some fun activities this summer, here is a great list of activities going on at the Indiana State Museum. If you haven’t been to ISM in a couple years, it’s totally changed. There are enough family friendly exhibits to fill your entire day, not to mention all of the extra events going on throughout the year. Check out this list and see what inspires your family to get out and explore Indiana!
Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum
It’s About Time: The Art of Felrath Hines – open June 22 through Sept. 29
Discover the life and incredible art from Hoosier artist Felrath Hines, who graduated from Crispus Attucks High School and attended Saturday youth art classes at the John Herron School of Art. An abstract artist who used different shapes and colors to communicate, he also worked as an art conservator and restored noted artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings. Explore interactives, listen to the jazz that inspired Hines and try your hand at creating an artwork with colorful shapes.
Hoosier Salon – open Aug. 2 through Oct. 13
Enjoy artworks from Hoosier artists from around the state in what’s considered to be the preeminent juried exhibition of Indiana art at the 95th annual Hoosier Salon.
May
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
Little Learners: Artful Play (ages 3-5)
9:45 to 11:30 a.m., May 7
$8/members, $10/non-members; free for children younger than age 3
Bring your littlest ones to a class where they’ll be inspired by art and create their own masterpieces. Children must be accompanied by an adult, younger siblings welcome.
Small Wonders: Plants & Seeds (ages 3-5)
10 to 11 a.m., May 8 & May 11
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will explore nature with the help of leaf prints, create seed balls and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Young Explorers: Transportation (ages 4-6)
1 to 2:30 p.m., May 11
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will explore different transportation, from Indy cars to airplanes. Children may attend on their own.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Homeschool Tuesdays: Abstract Art Extravaganza (ages 6-13)
9:30 to 11:30 a.m., May 7
$8/members, $10/non-members
Dive into a world of investigation and discovery during these two-hour classes designed to stimulate a child’s interest in science, art, history and culture. This month, students will explore abstract art and create their own masterpiece.
Batik Fabric DIY (ages 5-12)
10 to 11:30 a.m., May 11
$15/members, $20/non-members
Be inspired by the vibrant clothing in Color of Style, then decorate your own piece of fabric in the ancient batik style. Use beautiful symbols to create an intricate print to represent your own personality.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Family Discovery Day: Gardening
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 11
Included with purchase of general admission
Gardening season is right around the corner! Meet local experts and get some tips from the pros on how to get the most out of your own garden. Discover key ingredients to great soil, and make seed bombs and paper pots to take home.
Color, Style and Tea
2 to 4 p.m., May 11
$15/members, $20/non-members, plus purchase of any menu items
Hear from the museum’s textile conservator as she talks about the fashions in Color of Style, all while enjoying a delicious lunch in the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™. Then, take an exclusive tour of the experience and hear the personal stories behind the clothing.
New Event: Cardboard 500
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 18
$50/team (2-5 youth members, plus 2 adults)
This race season, join the newest spectacle in racing. In Cardboard Alley, families will compete to design and build a cardboard body atop a pre-built push cart frame. Then, race to push your creation into the winner’s circle.
New Event: Great Chalk Out
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 26
$5/small sidewalk square, $10/large sidewalk square; $3/box of chalk
Get creative on the sidewalks around the museum! Create works of art and compete for prizes in the following categories: Best Family Art; Best Child Art (age 7 and younger), Best Youth Art (ages 8-15) and Best Adult Art (ages 16+). If it rains, the competition will move indoors. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Atomic Movie Nights: Back to the Future (PG) (ages 21+)
7 to 10 p.m., May 2
$10/members, $12/non-members
Be a part of the conversation led by local experts as you travel through space and time to explore the unique influences these movies have had in today’s culture. Seating is first come, first serve. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
Eco Dyeing DIY (ages 18+)
7 to 10 p.m., May 3
$20/members, $25/non-members
Learn about eco-friendly dye techniques with items you can find in your home, supermarket or garden. Become inspired by the Color of Style, and make your own sustainably-dyed scarf to take with you.
June
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
Small Wonders: Toy Engineering (ages 3-5)
10 to 11 a.m., June 12 & June 15
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will explore the creative process of toy design. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Young Explorers: Creating with Color (ages 4-6)
1 to 2:30 p.m., June 15
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will explore colors and textiles, creating their own designs. Children may attend on their own.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Signature Event: Canal Nights
6 to 8 p.m., June 5, 12, 19, 26
Free
Celebrate summer nights on the canal with free activities and family fun, Wednesday evenings in June and July. This month, explore color, nature, chemistry and more during different themed nights. For all themes and activities, visit indianamuseum.org/canal-nights.
New Event: Flair in the Air Kite Fest
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 15
Included with purchase of general admission
Is it a bird, or a plane? No, it’s Kite Fest! Visit with local kite groups, check out kite displays and borrow one of our small kites to set soaring for yourself. For a challenge, join a kite building workshop and create your own kite. Additional cost of $2-10 for kite workshops.
Courageous Conversations
6:30 to 8 p.m., June 27
$5/person, $2/student with student ID
Join your neighbors to talk about contemporary community topics in this moderated discussion. Explore the challenges that contemporary African American artists face. This program is for high school-aged students and adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Mats and Mastodons (ages 18+)
6:15 to 7:15 a.m. & 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., June 6 & 20; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., June 15
$10/members, $12/non-members
Bring your own mat and relax with yoga at the museum. Each session, meet at the Indiana obelisk and move to different areas of the museum to take in the skyline, sunrise or view of the canal. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
New Event: Techno-Color (ages 21+)
8 to 11 p.m., June 28
Presale tickets: $45/members, $50/non-members; At the door tickets: $55/members, $60/non-members
Get ready for a color explosion at this adults-only, after-hours event that’s all about style, bold colors and fashion. Come dressed in your most vibrant outfit and take selfies galore in front of photo ops outside of Color of Style. Add to a mural, sip a themed cocktail and dance the night away. Ticket purchase includes one free cocktail. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
July
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
Small Wonders: Space Exploration (ages 3-5)
10 to 11 a.m., July 10 & 13
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Young Explorers: Astronauts in Training (ages 4-6)
1 to 2:30 p.m., July 13
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will launch rockets and discover planets and stars in honor of Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary. Children may attend on their own.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Signature Event: Canal Nights
6 to 8 p.m., July 3, 10, 17, 31
Free
Celebrate summer nights on the canal with free activities and family fun, Wednesday evenings in June and July. This month, explore fireworks, gardens, Apollo 11 and more during different themed nights. For all themes and activities, visit indianamuseum.org/canal-nights.
Family Discovery Days: Apollo 11
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 20
Included with purchase of general admission
Celebrate the “giant leap for mankind” on this day honoring the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Design and launch your own rocket, learn to land spacecraft and explore the geology of the moon. Plus, hear from local experts about our next steps into space.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Atomic Movie Nights: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (PG) (ages 21+)
7 to 10 p.m., July 11
$10/members, $12/non-members
Be a part of the conversation led by local experts as you travel through space and time to explore the unique influences these movies have had in today’s culture. Seating is first come, first serve. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
Mats and Mastodons (ages 18+)
6:15 to 7:15 a.m. & 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., July 11, July 25; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., July 13
$10/members, $12/non-members
Bring your own mat and relax with yoga at the museum. Each session, meet at the Indiana obelisk and then move to different areas of the museum to take in the skyline, sunrise or views of the canal. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
New Event: RESPONSE: A Celebration of Felrath Hines (ages 15+)
7 to 9:30 p.m., July 16
$5/visitors (ages 15-17); $10/members (ages 18+),$15/non-members (ages 18+)
Often, Hoosier artist Felrath Hines found inspiration from music or poetry. Honor his spirit by joining spoken word poet and multi-talented artist, Tony Styxx, along with other guest performers, as they respond to Hines’ art with their own. Then, respond yourself with painting, dance, poetry or other performances.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is located in White River State Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It is Indiana’s museum for science, art and culture, offering a place where you can celebrate, investigate, remember, learn and take pride in Indiana’s story in the context of the broader world. Even the building is a showcase of the best Indiana has to offer in architecture, materials and sculpture. Easy and convenient parking is available in the attached underground garage.
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