Tag: The DoSeum

The DoSeum accepting applications for 2021 Artist-in-Residence Program

The DoSeum seeks artists who will create a miniature exhibit to complement ‘DoSeum Express: Tiny Trains and Trolleys’. Photo: google

The DoSeum is now accepting applications for their fifth-annual Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR). For this year’s Artist-in-Residence exhibition, The DoSeum is looking for a San Antonio-based or regional visual or multidisciplinary artist who has experience or has worked in miniatures or miniature scenery. The artist’s installation will complement DoSeum Express: Tiny Trains and Trolleys, a new holiday exhibition featuring working train sets which will become a holiday tradition at The DoSeum in the years to come. (The DoSeum, 2021)

For this program, The DoSeum seeks to partner with professional mid-career artists who seek ways to challenge the young, curious minds of San Antonio through their art. The Artist-in-Residence program provides children with the opportunity to interact with the work of a professional artist to appreciate the artistic process while connecting to themes of STEM and literacy.

The DoSeum will provide the venue, staging, and trains. We request artist support to create the miniature scenery through which the trains will travel. Imagination, creativity, and outside-the-box thinking is encouraged. Children will not touch the scenery but will be viewed through interactive pop-up bubbles, periscopes, and cameras (provided by The DoSeum). We are seeking up to 6 artists to provide a 4’x8′ landscape (base material will be provided).

Previously chosen residents submitted proposals that simultaneously challenged themselves to explore new facets of their own work while incorporating meaningful experiences for guests.  We are seeking up to six artists. The selected AIR artist(s) will receive an honorarium of up to $1,000 and production costs of $2,500 to aid them in the execution of their project.

 ELIGIBILITY

Artists must meet these following requirements to be considered:

  • Open to visual and multidisciplinary artists.
  • Desire to work collaboratively with museum staff and the public to create works that step away from traditional models.
  • Experience creating social engagement participatory works of art. 
  • Experience with miniatures and creating miniature scenery
  • Local and regional mid-career professional artists are encouraged to apply.
  • Artists presently enrolled in post-secondary or graduate-level programs are encouraged to apply after completing studies.
  • Chosen artists will need to pass a background check.

Artists with the above-mentioned experience, interested in exploring non-traditional exhibition spaces, and available for The DoSeum’s 2021 production and exhibition timeline are strongly encouraged to apply.

TIMELINE

Application Deadline: Friday, June 18, 2021

·        June 2 at 10a.m.: Optional Virtual Question Forum – Registration link for Q&A.

·        June 18: Application Deadline

·        June 18-25: Organization Deliberation

·        June 25: Finalists Announced

·        July 16: Finalist Proposal Deadline

·        July 23: Winners announced

·        August – October: Prototyping and Fabrication

·        November 6: Exhibition Opening

For information regarding the Artist-In-Residence program, eligibility, or questions about the process please contact Meredith Doby, VP of Exhibits.

More information about the program is available online.

The DoSeum is one of the leading children’s museums in the nation; a place where your mind is always at play.  The DoSeum offers innovative exhibits and experiences to get children excited about concepts in science, math, art, and literacy and encourages them to take the excitement into the world. Through joyful learning and discovery, The DoSeum Experience grows curious minds, connects families, and transforms communities. For more information, visit TheDoSeum.org The DoSeum is a 501 c3-non-profit organization.

The DoSeum’s new summer exhibit ‘Voyage to the Deep’ opens this week

‘Voyage to the Deep’ opens Saturday May 8, 2021. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

The DoSeum is thrilled to celebrate the upcoming summer season with a new interactive adventure brought to San Antonio from the Australian National Maritime Museum. ‘Voyage To The Deep’ will submerge families in a maritime journey full of fun and engaging activities. On Saturday, May 8, families are invited to join in on the fun and celebrate both the opening of the new exhibit as well as participate in The DoSeum’s Big Day of Play –  a wonderful program featuring  art, reading, and science activities. Children are encouraged to come in ocean inspired costumes. (The DoSeum, 2021)

The exhibition will be on view May 8 through September 25, 2021. Tickets and more information about the exhibit are available online. The DoSeum’s Big Day of Play activities are included with general admission and programs will run from 10a.m. to 4:30p.m. 

The exhibit is based on French author Jules Verne’s 1870 classic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and brings to life the deep-sea adventures of Captain Nemo, his fantastical Nautilus submarine, and the mythical world he inhabited. The exhibition’s main attraction is the giant Nautilus where kids can climb aboard and discover the inner workings of a deep-sea submersible. Kids can take control at the helm, peer through the periscopes, crank the propeller, test out the bunks, and explore Captain Nemo’s Cabinet of Curiosities full of wonderful marine specimens. There is even a giant squid to slide down, a bubbly pipe organ to play nautical sounds, and a galley full of strange foods to discover.

Kids engage with fun role play by slipping on a deep-sea dive suit and venturing through the world below the waves including the octopus’ garden with its giant clamshell and then wander through the maze of seaweed in the kelp forest. They can also explore the lost world of Atlantis.

‘Voyage to the Deep’ will keep kids engaged as they learn about marine habitats and creatures as well as technology and engineering used to create submarines and other vessels which bring humans closer to the underwater world. Kids will discover how to operate a submarine and will imagine themselves in an underwater adventure into the deep-sea. The exhibition brings a range of interactive experiences including full-body interactions, mechanical and electro-mechanical exhibits, interactive projections and touchscreens.  

The DoSeum continues to honor commitment to its guests and staff to maintain the safest conditions for a safe and healthy visit. COVID-19 policies regarding capacity and masks remain in place.

The DoSeum is one of the leading children’s museums in the nation; a place where minds are always at play. The DoSeum offers innovative exhibits and experiences to get children excited about concepts in science, math, art, and literacy and encourages them to take their excitement into the world. Through joyful learning and discovery, The DoSeum Experience grows curious minds, connects families, and transforms communities.

“As San Antonio thoughtfully and carefully opens back up and readies itself for an unforgettable summer, The DoSeum is delighted to bring families a bit of reprieve and much joy with this great interactive and educational exhibit. We are proud to offer “Voyage to the Deep” to our community and I’m confident this exhibit will be widely enjoyed by families with children of all ages. As always, we offer families and staff our continued commitment to their health and safety in a safe environment.” – DoSeum Vice President of Exhibits, Meredith Doby

San Antonio museums and zoo partner to launch Museo Institute

Museo Institute, a new and exciting professional development program for educators is now accepting applications. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The DoSeum is proud to announce a new alliance with the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Zoo, McNay Art Museum, and the Witte Museum in the creation of Museo Institute, an exciting new professional development opportunity for San Antonio educators. The newly launched initiative is a year-long professional development program that invites formal educators to explore informal learning and teaching approaches, discover opportunities for collaboration, and create lessons and activities that merge the best practices of informal and formal education to the benefit of students. Upon successful completion of the program, educators will receive up to 85 CPE credit hours, research-based curriculum resources from leading institutions, and new methods for teaching STEM and STEAM in each educator’s unique setting. The year-long program is currently accepting applications and is set to begin this July, ending in June 2022. (The DoSeum, 2021)

The program was established to bring the vast resources of these organizations together for the teachers of San Antonio. Participating Museo Institute organizations recognize the value cultural organizations bring to educators and how many institutions have offered CPE programs for educators over the years. However, this is the first time so many institutions have come together to design a year-long program in benefit of San Antonio educators. Educators infuse their STEM/STEAM teaching curricula by implementing approaches and methods learned from the informal educators at each cultural organization. A more detailed program description and timeline are available online. 

The cohort learns through virtual and on-site training. Fall training will cover topics including:

  • Maker-Centered Learning, Constructivism, and Digital Literacy – The DoSeum
  • STEAM & Art Conservation – The McNay
  • Using Art & Thinking Routines for Interdisciplinary Content Learning – San Antonio Museum of Art
  • Unlocking Classroom Exploration Through Citizen Science & Service Learning – San Antonio Zoo
  • Integrating STEAM Learning into Other Content Areas – the Witte

The spring practicum will be a hands-on/minds-on project during which each educator receives more training along with coaching from educators at the cultural organization with which they are placed.

By engaging with each organization’s education staff and a cohort of peers from across the San Antonio area, participants will design and implement projects to pilot new pedagogy and lesson/activity plans. By the end of the experience, these select teachers will implement the new curriculum and pedagogy to students in their local learning environments. Each cultural organization will provide a separate syllabus covering the details of their practicum.

Deadlines and How to Apply

  • Applications are available now on The DoSeum’s website and will close on April 16, 2021
  • 40 educators will be selected and notified on May 24
  • Program begins in July
  • One-day training sessions, one per museum scheduled on Saturdays: August – October
  • Spring practicum: December – May
  • Open house events, open-office hours: January – May 2021
  • Showcase celebration: May/June 2021

“After an unprecedented and challenging year in the field of education, we passionately believe it is of utmost importance to partner with educators and share educational tools and resources that can enhance and update their curricula.” – Richard Kissel, Vice President of Education at The DoSeum

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage exhibit at The DoSeum

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is on display at The DoSeum until Sunday, March 28. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

The DoSeum is celebrating learning in all its forms by inviting students to participate in their current exhibition Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage by submitting works of art. The exhibition encourages our community to reflect on attitudes and assumptions about individuals who learn differently and inspire us to be a more inclusive and equitable society. Joyful learning is at the core of The DoSeum’s mission. Everyone learns differently, and there is amazing potential in every child to be the best learner they can be. (The DoSeum, 2021)

The popular exhibition, which opened last fall, is currently being updated. In addition to displaying works of art by students, a newly installed resource center features learning elements to inspire all minds to play, but especially for students diagnosed with dyslexia. These updates include 3D puzzles, building manipulatives, graphic novels, and gestalt images. The DoSeum’s education department has also planned art-themed pop-ups in the galleries through the run of the show, which closes March 28.

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is an art and science exhibition that explores the successes of those who think outside the box when faced with the challenges of dyslexia. The exhibition defines some of the tools and resources for identification, intervention, and pathways to success. Families learn about what dyslexia really is, and the truth behind some of the negative myths perpetuated in society. Guests have fun playing various spatial and word games learning how the right and left sides of the brain are engaged, including an oversized tile spelling game, color block puzzles, and digital interactive educational games for all ages. A unique local feature will be listening to stories from San Antonio youth and local world changers about their experiences growing up with dyslexia before and after intervention. Children and caretakers walk among the life-size illustrations of some of the most influential visionaries who have changed history.

During the exhibit run at The DoSeum, a unique portion of Beautiful Minds will feature Artist in Residence Sarah Sudhoff’s interactive installation The Reading Brain. The installation will allow families to be immersed in the reading brain’s inner workings through a multi-sensory, data-driven interactive installation.

The DoSeum has longer timed sessions for guests. As always, it has taken care to implement the best cleaning and sanitation practices and continues to implement new measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and continue prioritizing the health and safety of its staff and guests.

Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage is a Science Museum Oklahoma and Whiteboard Exhibits Project. The DoSeum thanks supporters of Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage

“Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage has already been enjoyed by over 16,000 visitors. During the final weeks of the exhibit, we have enhanced our galleries with new components and opportunities for families to interact and reflect in ways in which learning with Dyslexia offers a creative advantage. At The DoSeum, we are in the business of helping children achieve their full potential by providing opportunities for outside of the box learning, this exhibition and its recent new additions do just that.” – Meredith Doby, VP of Exhibits

The DoSeum is one of the leading children’s museums in the nation; a place where minds are always at play. The DoSeum offers innovative exhibits and experiences to get children excited about concepts in science, math, art, and literacy and encourages them to take their excitement into the world. Through joyful learning and discovery, The DoSeum Experience grows curious minds, connects families, and transforms communities. The DoSeum is a 501 c3-non-profit organization.

The DoSeum celebrates with Virtual Countdown for kids

The DoSeum’s new year countdown will be virtual this year. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

This year, The DoSeum is keeping its annual New Year’s Noon countdown tradition alive with a virtual celebration for the whole family to enjoy at home. Families are invited to join from home for a fun-filled Facebook LIVE event on Thursday, December 31 at 11:45a.m. with a hands-on celebration.  (The DoSeum, 2020)

Everyone can make their own Confetti Poppers to prepare for the noon countdown for kids. Creating a confetti popper is a fun activity the whole family can do together with easy to find supplies: balloons, four-inch-long cardboard tube (e.g., from a roll of toilet paper), scissors, tape and glue, colored paper, stickers, markers, and confetti (pre-packaged or cut some paper into small pieces). No registration is required for this event.  Families are encouraged to use #TheDoSeum in their social media posts to connect with and engage with other families participating in this fun virtual event.  

The DoSeum is a place where interactive fun and hands-on learning come together—a place where minds are always at play. The DoSeum offers exhibits, programs, camps, classes, and field trips designed for all learners, encouraging young minds to explore the joy of learning through connections to STEM, the arts, and literacy. Originally founded as San Antonio Children’s Museum, The DoSeum has grown over the past 25 years to become a premier leader in informal education, while still staying true to the mission of connecting families and transforming communities. As a 501(c)(3), The DoSeum is committed to accessible and free programming to low-income San Antonio-area children, with a goal of serving 10,000 kids from Title I schools annually.

Big Day of Play: Winter Wonderland at The DoSeum

Big Day of Play: Winter Wonderland is this Saturday, December 12 at The DoSeum. Photo: The DoSeum.

On Saturday, December 12, The DoSeum celebrates the Holiday Season with Big Day of Play: Winter Wonderland when families will spend the whole day embracing curiosity and wonder. This holiday themed day-long celebration will bring hands-on and minds-on fun to the entire family. Activities are focused on STEM, the arts, and literacy and will inspire everyone to learn through play. Families will enjoy learning about holiday traditions from around the globe and learning about the science of ice and snow. The DoSeum’s Winter Wonderland is set to be the coolest activity in town. (The DoSeum, 2020)

The event is free with a General Admission ticket purchase and includes admission to the DoSeum’s special exhibit Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage, an art and science exhibition that explores the successes of those who think outside the box when faced with the challenges of dyslexia. The exhibition defines some of the tools and resources for identification, intervention, and pathways to success. Activities for the day include: Cool Science: Unfrozen, Ice Mountain Excavation, Bamboo Brush Artistry, Microscope Décor, and Buche De Noël Cake Decorating. Guests who would like to attend the Buche Noël Cake Decorating during Winter Wonderland need to RSVP for the preferred time.

The DoSeum, San Antonio’s museum for kids, is one of the leading children’s museums in the nation; a place where children learn by doing. The DoSeum offers innovative exhibits and experiences to get children excited about concepts in science, math, art, and literacy and encourages them to take the excitement into the world. The DoSeum is a 501 c3-non-profit organization.