Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Launches "Animal Arts and Seasonal Stories," New Spotlight Tours

The Mitchell Museum offers enhanced weekly programming for the entire family with its expanded tour schedule and relaunched weekend craft program that now includes a story-time component. “Animal Arts and Seasonal Stories” will feature different animals each month that are significant to various tribes throughout North America. In addition, every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon a docent will lead a Spotlight Tour focusing on a different theme that also rotates monthly.

“Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories” takes place on Saturdays from 11:00-noon and Sundays from 12:30-1:30. Animal arts activities are recommended for children ages 5 and up, but there is no minimum age requirement. Activities will be offered at varying levels of difficulty and interest to engage the entire family. Spotlight Tours are every Saturday morning from 10:30-11am and Wednesday afternoon from 4:00-4:30pm. Both programs are free with regular admission. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. No pre-registration is necessary. The winter/spring schedule is as follows:

January:
Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories: Snowy Owl/ Stories from the Far North
Snow Goggles, Snowy Owl Puppets and Doll crafts for all ages
Spotlight Tour: Dolls and Toys

February:
Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories: Coyote/ Winter on the Northern Plains Stories
Coyote Puppet, Howling Coyote, and Star Quilt crafts for all ages
Spotlight Tour: Materials in Fashion

March:
Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories: Porcupine/ Stories from When the Ice Breaks Up
Porcupine Puppet, Quill Boxes, and Maple Sap Basket crafts for all ages
Spotlight Tour: Pottery

April:
Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories: Bear/ Stories from Spring Awakenings
Bear Puppet, Bear Fetish and Fish Decoy crafts for all ages
Spotlight Tour: Jewelry

“Animal Arts & Seasonal Stories” programming, as well as Spotlight Tours, are designed to be a fun and informative way to enhance the educational component of our visitor’s museum experience as we strive to fulfill our mission to promote and share a deeper understanding and respect of Native American peoples.

The Mitchell Museum is one of only a handful of museums in the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of American Indian and First Nation peoples throughout the United States and Canada. In 2012, The Mitchell Museum was named “Best Museum of The North Shore: Up and Comer” by Make it Better magazine, won the Superior award by the Illinois Association of Museums and was named a national finalist by the American Association of State and Local History award program. The Chicago Tribune named the Mitchell Museum one of its top 10 museums for 2015.

For more information about The Mitchell Museum of The American Indian, visit www.mitchellmuseum.org, call 847-475-1030 or see our verified Facebook page. The museum is located in Evanston, Illinois at 3001 Central Street. It is open Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children and Free for Mitchell Museum members and Tribal members.
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