Imagine, Move, Create, and Laugh with the Carter’s Virtual Art Tales

It’s finally summer! And while summer promises fun in the sun, it also raises a perineal question:
How do we keep our little ones entertained and engaged when it’s too hot to go outside to play?

Never fear! The Carter’s Virtual Art Tales are here to save the summer!

The Carter’s Virtual Art Tales program was born in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While everything was shut down, the museum searched for ways to connect with patrons young and old. Art Tales, a summer story time program became Virtual Art Tales, a weekly virtual story time via Facebook Live which connected stories to the museum’s works of art. It quickly became a family favorite.

The Carter is continuing Art Tales this summer, with a few small differences. This year, the museum is partnering with a variety of Fort Worth artists and organizations to create a series of story times that will encourage imagination, inspire movement, and provide lots of laughs.

Allie Rogers Andreen and a friend
Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

I spoke with Alli Rogers Andreen, the Carter’s Manager of Family Programs, about this year’s Virtual Art Tales. Her enthusiasm for this program and for the Carter in general was infectious. “What I really envision for this program is helping families make connections with the stories and the artwork in the museum.”

This year, Virtual Art Tales is partnering with some wonderful artists and organizations, with each week’s program featuring activities inspired by a different work of art. Viewers can do some fun theater exercises with Rob Bosquez from Artes de la Rosa. You and your little ones can dance with Ballet Frontier. Other guests include Bella the Begonia from BRIT and the Tarrant County Black History and Genealogical Society. According to Andreen, “Each artist gets to choose what work of art works for them to develop a program around. It’s been exciting to collaborate with these artists to find what works inspire them!”

Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

“This is a great platform for connecting every part of our community,” Andreen said. “Fort Worth is full of really talented people trying to make their city a better place.”

Virtual Art Tales is available via Facebook Live each Wednesday in June and July at 10:30 a.m. While the program is aimed at younger children, Andreen assured me that all ages will enjoy Art Tales. “We really want people to grow up with the Carter!” After viewing the first episode, hosted by the Fort Worth Public Library, with my teenagers, I agree with Andreen – Art Tales is fun for all ages!

During the pandemic, the Carter worked hard to create innovative and entertaining ways to allow Fort Worth to experience the incredible works of art in the museum from a distance. “We want the Carter to be a part of the community and the community to be a part of us,” Andreen says. “This is a great platform for connecting different parts of the community through art.”

Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Be sure to follow the Carter on Facebook at @theamoncarter to join Art Tales every Wednesday through July 28 and visit cartermuseum.org/Family to stay up-to-date on all of the fun family events at the Carter.