The Georgia Museum of Art (GMOA) at the University of Georgia has begun providing backpack tours free of charge for visitors to the museum. Families and children may check out a backpack full of supplies and activities that will enhance their walk through the museum with kid-oriented and educational elements.

“The backpack tours let families experience the works in our collection together in a fun and creative way,” said Melissa Rackley, curatorial assistant in GMOA’s department of education.

Inside every pack, four folders contain the materials necessary to complete an activity relating to a work of art or artist in the museum’s permanent collection. 

One such activity involves a felt board and shapes, provided in the kit. The instructions present an image of a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe along with background on her life and work. After finding the painting in the museum, children are asked to use the board and shapes to create their own landscape similar to those O’Keeffe painted. 

Through this backpack tour, children will also learn about different types of museum jobs, GMOA history and museum manners.

If interested, request a backpack at the front desk of the museum before entering the galleries. 

The museum galleries are open to the public Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free (suggested donation $3). 

Museum Information
Partial support for the exhibitions and programs at the Georgia Museum of Art is provided by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. The council is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Individuals, foundations and corporations provide additional museum support through their gifts to the University of Georgia Foundation. The Georgia Museum of Art is located in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex on the East Campus of the University of Georgia. The address is 90 Carlton Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-6719. For more information, including hours, see http://www.georgiamuseum.org or call 706/542-GMOA (4662).

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