Listen to a pirate explorer tell his tales, travel back in time to the Victorian era, and discover the majesty and mysticism of the Byzantine era at free family events in April and May.
On April 6, families can join award-winning children’s author Cornelia Funke at the Getty Center as she reads from a selection of her best-selling works and talks about where she finds inspiration, such as in the Special Collections of the Getty Research Institute. Funke is the author of The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, the Inkworld trilogy, and, most recently, the MirrorWorld novels. A celebrated fantasy and adventure writer, her stories have been translated into 30 languages.
In collaboration with Mirada Studios, Funke recently completed a kids’ gallery guide for the Getty Research Institute’s exhibition Connecting Seas: A Visual History of Discoveries and Encounters. In this guide, the character William Dampier—who is a pirate, explorer, and ghost—leads children on an adventurous treasure hunt through the exhibition. Children and their parents are invited to go on this treasure hunt following the event. The event is recommended for families and kids ages 8 and up.
Kids and parents can delve into Queen Victoria’s 19th-century world at a Family Festival at the Getty Center on April 12. Visitors can enjoy the bagpipes of Victoria’s beloved Scotland, sing along to English music hall tunes, revel in the topsy-turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the Pacific Opera Project, and have their picture taken to create their own "carte de visite." There will also be hands-on workshops where families can create a royal crown or a photo album. Complements the exhibition A Royal Passion: Queen Victoria and Photography.
Also throughout April, Art Stops allows families to get up close and personal with a single work of art in a half-hour, hands-on gallery experience. For families with children ages five and up.
On May 3, visitors to the Getty Villa can immerse themselves in the soul and splendor of the mysterious Byzantine Empire through an interactive, free Family Day. Families will be enveloped in the sounds of another world, explore rich iconography through hands-on workshops, and see the treasures of a cultural millennium that continue to inspire people around the world. Complements the exhibition Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections.
Cornelia Funke Storytelling and Book Signing Sunday, April 6, 2014 2:00p.m. Harold M. Williams Auditorium, The Getty Center Reservations required; visit event site to make reservations
Queen Victoria Family Festival Saturday April 12, 2014 10a.m. - 5:30p.m. Museum Courtyard, Getty Center FREE
Byzantine Family Day Saturday May 3, 2014 10a.m. - 5p.m. Getty Villa FREE
Art Stops April 15, 17, 22, 24, 2014 2p.m. Sign up starts at 1:45 pm. at the information desk in Museum Entrance Hall FREE