“The arts are not a frill. They are a fundamental way of knowing, a fundamental way of communicating, and a fundamental way of understanding life.” Elliot Eisner, Ph.D. (1933-2014)
Elliot Eisner was a professor of Art and Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and one of the leading academic minds in the U.S., He and his colleagues believed that artistic exposure is critical for children to develop and reach their fullest potential.
Eisner argued that encouraging children to experience the arts developed ways of thinking unattainable through other subjects. Through early exposure to the arts children learn to observe carefully, think independently and appreciate beauty in many forms. Most importantly, he believed that relegating the arts to a secondary position in the curriculum could lead to a lack of creativity and imagination in subjects as diverse as math and science.
Acclaimed contemporary Indian artist ELA SHAH agrees wholeheartedly. She remembers: “From an early age my late husband Bipin and I took our children to art museums. We explored different media, encouraged their experimentation and celebrated their imagination.”
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Like Eisner, Shah believes that children are born with a desire for creative expression. “As parents, we can nurture their creativity by taking them to museums, concerts and recitals.”
Did the Shahs’ emphasis on the arts influence their children’s career paths? Shah answers with a smile: “My children studied the arts in college, but both followed in their father’s footsteps; they went on to become successful physicians.”
Summer is a perfect time to explore the arts and encourage creativity and imagination. Here’s two New Jersey museums with special emphasis on those that have special programs or activities geared to children.
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ
A sculpture park and museum set in an arboretum, Grounds for Sculpture features 42 picturesque acres. More than 300 sculptures by renowned and emerging contemporary artists are complemented by thousands of exotic trees and flowers. Six indoor galleries feature rotating exhibitions.
Children and Adult: Create Together!
Join museum staff on the first Saturday of each month as they explore a variety of themes through artmaking and materials exploration. This all-day drop-in workshop invites all ages to create together.
Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ
Morris Museum has a range of unique offerings, including groundbreaking exhibitions, educational programs, live performances, and more.
Spark!Labs is a hands-on invention workspace that sparks a child’s ingenuity with a series of open-ended challenges. This dynamic learning space inspires kids to create, collaborate, and innovate. Spark!Labs makes every visitor an inventor.
The Museum also houses more than 700 mechanical musical instruments ranging from tiny music boxes to room-sized installations that imitate an entire orchestra. Introducing concepts in engineering, gears and mechanics and design, this exhibit sits at the intersection of art and science; a living tribute to Eisner’s philosophy.
Where can I go with my children to explore Indian art?
Despite the rich heritage of Indian art, antiques, sculpture, music, dance and literature there is no single museum dedicated to Indian art. While the growth of the Indian Diaspora is evidenced by increasing attention to Indian art in schools, special programs and participation in juried shows, there is no permanent center for display, exploration and on-going scholarship. Shah has been a vocal advocate for the development of a dedicated center. She explains. “A museum of contemporary Indian art will preserve the creative voices of Indian and Indian American artists, celebrate their contributions to global culture, educate future generations, and foster dialogue across communities. It will serve as a permanent home where art, history, and cultural identity are protected, studied, and shared with the public for generations to come.”
If you’d like to learn more about Ela Shah and her work, go to www.elashah.com