DITCH THE OLD SITES AND HEAD FOR THE MODERN
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, that is.
The city's first modern museum has just launched its Creative Workshop series for the youths. Sponsored by one of Turkey's largest financial institution, Garanti Bank, the guided mini classes include investigative games and animal atlas creations among tons of other activities. Kids will also indulge their imagination in a variety of media.
Launched July 1, the free classes will continue daily until August 29 with different workshops each week. Six and 7-year-olds meet from 10 a.m. to noon; the 8-10 y.o. and 11-13 age groups from 1-3 p.m. Budding Michelangelos will get to take home certificates if they attend the class daily for four weeks. Reserve ahead to secure a space on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Unlike last year, where the romper room by the entrance was more akin to an Ikea-style child babysitting service with paint brushes, this year's program promises to be a highly educational and fun affair. Parents can enjoy the couple hours of free time by either strolling by the new contemporary exhibits gracing the walls of the upper gallery, head down to the media library under its dropped ceiling of opened tomes, or better yet, hang a left for its trendy Istanbul Modern Restaurant/Café's terrace over the Bosphorus, where they can pull up a chair and enjoy a popular minty lemonade while gazing across the straits. FYI: It ain't cheap! Thursdays may be easier on the wallet, as IMMA doesn't charge admission to the museum .
ESSENTIALS
Istanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi | Meclisi Mebusan Caddesi, Antrepo 4, Tophane | Phone: 0212/334-7341
STRICTLY SPEAKING
Art = Sanat (pron. as it's read)