N.C. Museum of Art launches new FREE program for families

The N.C. Museum of Art is launching a new program for families next month.

These free Family Days will happen a few times a year and are designed for all ages. The first one is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 17, with activities in both the East and West buildings of the west Raleigh museum. The theme is globetrotting. Participants will get to discover art from around the world that's on view at the museum. The day includes hands-on art activities, stories from far-away places, scavenger hunts and more.

At 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., those activities include Mende stories and games with Braima Moiwai, a West African drummer, storyteller and textile artist. The Mende are an ethnic group from Sierra Leone.

While everything starting at 10 a.m. is free, the day actually begins at 9 a.m. with a Spoons and Toons Cartooning Workshop and Cereal Bar that does require a ticket. It includes an opportunity to meet with local cartoonists Paul Friedrich (Onion Head Monster), Trevor Van Meter (HeyTVM) and Lisa Quinn (Monsters in the Merlot) to talk about their process, learn techniques and get some roving critiques from the pros. Tickets are $15 per person and $10 for museum members and available now.

Courtney Klemens, the museum's coordinator of family programs, says some, but not all, of the Family Days will have ticketed components.

"We love to offer events that are low- or no-cost to families," she tells me.

Also coming up at the museum: