Hands-on art projects for young people have returned to area parks, beaches and playgrounds. The Art Cart kicked off its 37th season on June 18.
The free, mobile program offers activities for children ages 3 and above.
"Art activity shouldn't stop for kids during the summer," says Katie Kazan, of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum co-sponsors the Art Cart with the Madison Metropolitan School District's Department of School and Community Recreation.
"The arts teach how to handle materials, but they also teach about planning and ingenuity," she notes.
The program serves around 3,000 young people each summer. One annual activity is to paint the shoe slide in Vilas Park, scheduled for July 17-19. Besides Madison, the Art Cart EXTRA! program will visit communities throughout Dane County.
Children should attend with an adult. Groups larger than eight are limited to one visit per summer and must pre-register by calling 608-204-3021. See here (PDF) for schedule information.
