Community and Public Art Programs in Athens

Art That Builds Bridges

Four people standing side by side for a photo in the galleries. Behind them, other people mill about in the exhibition.

Programming for the Athens Community and Beyond

Artist talks, lively gallery conversations, performances, art classes, film screenings and yoga classes in the galleries are just a few of the days you can experience the Georgia Museum of Art. Learn more about our programming offerings below or search our calendar for upcoming events for art lovers of all ages.

Youth and Family Programs

Our team provides a range of programs for youth and families, including monthly Family Days and Toddler Tuesdays, hands-on summer programs and more. Our goal is to nurture imagination, curiosity and fun for children and caregivers alike.

Learn more about our youth and family programs

A family at Toddler Tuesday, doing a color wheel activity in the studio classroom

Lectures, Artist Talks and Special Programs

Join engaging discussions with artists, curators and other experts about our exhibitions and collections. We regularly offer special exhibition-related programming such as symposia, live performances, and more.

Public Tours and Gallery Talks

Museum educators, community docents and student guides lead regular, drop-in tours of the collection and special exhibitions.

A student guide giving a tour in the galleries

Films

Sit back in the M. Smith Griffith Auditorium, and enjoy a lineup of films tied to what’s on view in the galleries. From documentaries to Spanish shorts, screenings happen year-round and are always free. We also host the annual España en Corto: Spanish Short Film Festival.

A still from "2001: A Space Odyssey" depicts a man in a red space suit in a futuristic spaceship

Workshops and Studio Classes

Create with intention, curiosity and guidance. Our workshops connect you to the museum’s collection through hands-on studio sessions led by Athens-based artists. From one-off classes to multi-week deep dives, all levels are welcome.

A close-up on someone's hand making art at the museum

Well-being Programs

Free wellness programs such as Yoga in the Galleries and Sunday Slowdown invite mindful movement, meditation and breathwork in the galleries. Led by local instructors, no prior experience is necessary and all levels are welcome.

A large crowd doing yoga in the galleries for Sunday Slowdown

Creative Aging

Creative Aging programs at the Georgia Museum of Art are free offerings for adults ages 55 and better that foster social connection through engaging, artful experiences held in the museum’s galleries or brought off-site to senior centers. Designed for all experience levels, these programs combine conversation, creativity, and community-building through shared encounters with art.

Two older women painting flowers outside

Custom Community Programs

Looking for a program for your group? We can customize programming including art-making, creative dialogue, gentle movement or mindful meditation organizations and groups serving older adults, assisted living centers, adults with dementia, people with disabilities and other community groups. Custom programs can occur on-site at the museum, at a the partnering location or at a third space, like a local library or community center.

Interested in a custom program? Contact Mallory Lind, associate curator of community engagement and outreach, at mslind@uga.edu.

A UGA student in a beret painting a landscape in the museum's studio classroom

Offsite Outreach and Engagement

If you can’t come to the Georgia Museum, let us bring an artful experience to you. Our staff are available to discuss customized offsite opportunities that include festivals, community centers and other public settings. We make and distribute art kits, and we table regularly at community events including PrideFest, AthFest Music and Arts Festival, K – 12 school fairs and others to promote upcoming programs and connect with local families. If you are interested in having the museum at your off-site event or in art kits for your nonprofit, library or community group, contact Mallory Lind, associate curator of community engagement and outreach, at mslind@uga.edu.

Just My Imagination

Looking to bring art to your space? Just My Imagination offers free art-making workshops across Northeast Georgia for children ages 7 to 14. Kids explore techniques like drawing, watercolor, printmaking and beginner loom weaving, led by a teaching artist. Chaperones required. The Turner Family Foundation, in memory of Nancy C. Turner, sponsors this program.

Learn more about Just My Imagination

Museum staff tabling at an off-site event

Reach Out, Wander In

Let’s make your museum visit one to remember.

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Reserve Your Tickets

Plan ahead or wander in. Either way, reserving tickets makes arrival easier and stress-free, especially during events or busy weekends.

Accessibility & Parking

Wheelchair entrances, stroller-friendly routes and easy parking await. We’ve made sure everyone feels welcome and able to fully explore.

Find Something Special

Art doesn’t have to end in the gallery. Visit our shop for keepsakes, thoughtful gifts and local creations you won’t find anywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Art is a universal language that transcends words and speaks directly to the human soul.