Youth and family programs at the National Portrait Gallery are designed to “inform, involve, and inspire” the visitor. Programs allow visitors to have an interactive gallery experience and an opportunity to create an original work of art inspired by the gallery experience.
Mobile Learning Institute at the National Portrait Gallery
In June, 2011, twenty-two young people participated in the IMAGINE=IMAGE summer program at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Learn more, in this video by the Pearson Foundation:
Using digital media -- cell phones, social networks, and graphics software -- and taking the power of portraiture as their subject, students explored image-making by creating portraits that reflected key aspects of what makes them who they are.
Open Studio Fridays Education Center, Room E151
Friday afternoons 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Schedule subject to change) Dec., 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2011
Join us on Friday afternoons for some creative fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum. You may also explore a different art material each week as it relates to portraiture.
Portrait Story Days On select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year
Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about a famous person from history and create a special piece of art in the Portrait Gallery’s Education Center.
Portrait Discovery Kits
On select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year
Portrait Discovery Kits offer an interactive, imaginative self-guided tour of the people who are in
the National Portrait Gallery’s collection and their contributions to American history. The kits
include “Seek and Find” cards, “Portrait Detective” and “Historian Guides” and a “Compare and
Contrast” activity using a doll. Visitors can check out kits at the National Portrait Gallery
education center, room E151 on the first floor. Kits need to be returned prior to 4 p.m.
Appropriate for families with children ages 4 to 14.
FACING HISTORY: Be the Artist Youth and Family Program Once per month on select Saturdays throughout the year 2:00–4:00 p.m.
This class is designed for children ages five and up with their families to explore portraiture in-depth. Participants will take a brief guided tour of the exhibition “Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories,” focusing on a portrait or two, listen to a children’s story or short gallery talk, and create a piece of art using some of the same materials or concepts. Registration required.
Class size is limited to 34 participants. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
FACING HISTORY: Girl Scout Programs
All of our Girl Scout program slots for 2011-2012 are full and we are not accepting any additional reservations. Look for information on new Girl Scout programming and registration information for the 2012-2013 academic year in mid-August 2012.
The National Portrait Gallery now offers exciting new programs that allow Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts, and Cadettes to have educational and culturally enriching museum experiences while earning points toward Brownie Try-Its, Junior Girl Scout badges, and Cadette interest project awards.
Young Portrait Explorers Toddlers up to age five and their adult companions are invited to become a Young Portrait Explorer and to discover the National Portrait Gallery through history and art. The activities include looking at a portrait or two, listening to a story, and participating in a hands-on activity. Registration required.
Registration is required.
Class size is limited to 25 participants. Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Gather in G Street lobby at 10:15 a.m. The program will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.
Family Days at the National Portrait Gallery
Family Day programs at the National Portrait Gallery are interactive, fun, hands-on, and informative and include such elements as story time, a gallery self-guide (scavenger hunt), arts activities, and dance and musical performances. Themes for these family days incorporate permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as Smithsonian Heritage Month calendar observances. NPG partners with the Smithsonian American Art Museum for several annual family day events, such as Presidential Family Fun Day each February and Baseball Family Day each summer. Family Days are free and open to the public; no reservations are necessary. To check for upcoming Family Days, click on:
Does your school have a history club? If yes, we would love to connect with you. We offer limited after-school programs tailored for your interests. If you have any questions, please call 202-633-8501.
Visiting the museum with children? Please print this interactive guide to help you navigate the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum. Guides are also available at the Information Desk in the museum.
Phone: (202) 633-8501
E-mail: 
