From self-guided activities to facilitated programs and events, opportunities abound to find inspiration and connection with art, yourself, and others.

Community Programs

A man and a young girl are sitting at a table doing arts and crafts, with colored papers, markers, and scissors scattered on the table. Next to them, another man and a woman are also engaged in similar activities. The room has bright green walls with artwork displayed.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Grab a set of Art Cards with ideas to make your visit easy and fun, stop by Art Works: A Place for Curiosity for hands-on fun, sign up for a studio class, or enjoy creative family time at a special event. Young visitors can be a Museum Hero by wearing a wristband (available at the Welcome Desk) to show they are ready to protect the art.

Art-tastic Saturdays
First Saturdays of the month are for art fun! Stop by from 11 am to 2 pm for gallery activities, special presentations, and creative exploration designed for all ages.

Art Cart
On the fourth Saturday of each month, join our Gallery Volunteers from 11 am–2 pm for an engaging sensory experience with conversation, looking activities, and hands-on materials inspired by works of art. Each month, the Art Cart will be in a new gallery—look for signs in the Entry Atrium. All ages are welcome at this drop-in program.

Art Works

Teens

Looking for an inspiring place to hang out and have fun? Find your favorite spot to sketch in the galleries or make new friends in a studio program or at an event.

Join us on Fri Oct 23 for Hallowteen, a free after-hours program at the Joslyn Art Museum, that is designed just for teens. Get more details and register here.

Click below for information about The Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program for teens.

Kent Bellows Mentoring Program

A speaker on stage delivers a presentation titled "Italy at the Center" to an audience. Two seated panelists are onstage near a screen displaying images and text. The audience watches attentively in a dimly lit auditorium.

Adults

Find fresh ways to experience The Joslyn that will stretch your intellect and imagination, offer peace, or provide some sizzle.

Nights at The Joslyn
Thursday evenings are for art immersion! Once a month, come out from 5 pm to 8 pm for gallery talks, live music, art making, special programs, and tasty food and drink (for purchase).

Slow Sundays at The Joslyn
Slow Sundays happen on select Sundays, once a month. We encourage visitors to spend a peaceful, art-filled day at the Museum—sign up for a yoga class, explore the galleries, join a public tour, bring a project to the Fiber Get-Together program, and enjoy food and drink at The Cafe. See calendar for details.

Public Tours & Group Visits
Public Tours are offered every week; join our Gallery Volunteers for a lively conversation that will engage the senses and build visual literacy skills. Drop-in program; no registration required. Gallery Volunteers also lead our free group visits for adults; open to groups of twelve or more. Plan ahead and book a self-guided visit or a guided tour. Four weeks notice required. See our Tours page.

Visualizing Literature: Book Club for Art Lovers
This public program explores connections between the literary and visual arts through moderated book discussions and gallery tours led by Visualizing Literature Volunteers. Dates for 2026-2027 academic year: Sep 16 & 19, 2026 (Theo of Golden by Allen Levi); Nov 18 & 21, 2026 (The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Epoque Paris by Jennifer Dasal); Feb 17 & 20, 2027 (Art: A Play by Yasmina Reza); and Apr 14 & 17, 2027 (Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser). Books are available for sale in The Shop. See calendar for details.

Learn About Group Visits

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The Joslyn collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout the metro to generate meaningful art experiences, together. Have an idea for a partnership? Please tell us about it.

VIP Visitors
VIP Visitors is a special invitation program for community groups to join in the fun at our monthly events, Art-tastic Saturdays and Nights at The Joslyn. This program offers special perks, including an at-your-location presentation, discounts, and refreshments. We thank our past VIP Visitor groups for helping us grow: Learning Community Center of South Omaha, Girls Incorporated of Omaha, Identity Preparatory Academy, River City Mixed Chorus, and Girls Inc., Protégé House (Transitional-living Program).

Join us for two community partnership programs coming up in December: Holiday Lights Festival on Sun, Dec 6 and The Art of Healing: Stories, Stitches & the Sacred Fashion Show on Sun, Dec 13; learn more details and register here.