{"id":439524,"date":"2026-09-18T03:52:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T03:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/439524\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T03:52:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T03:52:21","slug":"the-dallas-museum-of-art-is-reopening-a-family-favorite-you-wont-want-to-miss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/439524\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dallas Museum of Art Is Reopening a Family Favorite You Won\u2019t Want to Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some museum visits ask kids to observe quietly, but the Dallas Museum of Art<\/a> is bringing back a family favorite where curiosity comes with an invitation to participate. The Center for Creative Connections<\/a> gives families a more interactive way to experience art and encourages kids to explore what catches their attention.<\/p>\n

Known as C3<\/a>, the Center for Creative Connections is reopening after damage caused by the 2022 rain event in Dallas led to its closure. The refreshed center brings back familiar experiences while introducing new additions, including an Art Lab where you can experiment with technology.<\/p>\n

C3 also gives families a starting place for exploring the rest of the museum. Activities connect directly to artwork in the DMA\u2019s collection, encouraging kids to take what they discover into the galleries and look at familiar subjects in a new way.<\/p>\n

First introduced in 2008, C3 became a favorite destination for Dallas families, making its return especially exciting for visitors who remember exploring it with their own children.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was one of the most visited galleries in the museum,\u201d says Stacey Lizotte, The Allen and Kelli Questrom Center for Creative Connections Chief Learning Officer. \u201cWe have seen so many families grow up at the museum, so it\u2019s always great to welcome back those families who have visited before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Give Kids a New Way to Look at Art<\/p>\n

\"\"New Art Lab at the Center for Creative Connections at the Dallas Museum of Art. Photographed by Brad Flowers.<\/p>\n

C3 reopens with Rhythms on Repeat, an exhibition exploring how rhythm appears across art in the DMA\u2019s permanent collection, both visually and through music.<\/p>\n

Seven interactive stations turn those ideas into something kids can experience themselves. They can build radial patterns inspired by decorative arts, create magnetic quilt designs, and explore how sound or light can change the way they respond to artwork.<\/p>\n

Each activity begins with art on view, giving kids a reason to slow down, notice details, and then create their own interpretation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want visitors to look at a work of art and discover another way into it,\u201d Lizotte says. \u201cThen they can take some of what they discovered with them into the galleries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Families can do exactly that with pattern bingo and a music scavenger hunt, both of which send visitors through the museum searching for details and connections they may have otherwise missed.<\/p>\n

When Little Kids Need a Museum Break<\/p>\n

\"DallasArturo\u2019s Nest at the Center for Creative Connections at the Dallas Museum of Art. Photographed by Brad Flowers.<\/p>\n

A museum can be a lot for little eyes and little legs, which is why the redesigned Arturo\u2019s Nest gives the DMA\u2019s youngest visitors a place created especially for them.<\/p>\n

Designed for children ages 4 and under and their caregivers, the Nest encourages kids to play and explore at their own pace. The refreshed area follows the four seasons, with sensory panels and books giving children plenty to discover along the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuseums can sometimes be overwhelming for our youngest visitors, so we wanted to give them a place where they can pause, play, and explore,\u201d Lizotte says.<\/p>\n

Arturo\u2019s Nest can become an easy stop during a family museum visit, especially when younger kids need a change of pace before heading back into the galleries.<\/p>\n

What Can Kids Create in the New Art Lab?<\/p>\n

Kids who like to make, build, and experiment have a new reason to explore C3. The Art Lab introduces a maker experience where visitors can discover how technology can become another creative tool.<\/p>\n

Drop-in activities and workshops will introduce equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, giving kids opportunities to explore ideas they may not expect to encounter during an art museum visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to explore STEAM programming and give visitors new ways to connect art and science,\u201d Lizotte says.<\/p>\n

Creativity throughout C3 also includes work by artists in the community. Through its C3 Featured Artist program, the DMA chose local artist Jessica Bell to create an interactive work inspired by rhythm, where visitors become part of the experience.<\/p>\n

Families can also return for art classes, workshops, and summer camps held in C3\u2019s studios throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Why Opening Weekend Is Only the Beginning<\/p>\n

\"DallasThe Center for Creative Connections at the Dallas Museum of Art. Photographed by Brad Flowers.<\/p>\n

Families can get their first look at the reopened C3 during a free two-day celebration Sept. 19 and 20<\/a>, with activities running throughout both days and no tickets required.<\/p>\n

The weekend includes the Dallas Symphony Orchestra\u2019s instrument petting zoo, story times, artist talks, and opportunities for families to contribute to an art installation. Scavenger hunts and pattern bingo will also be available throughout the day, while some scheduled programs may have limited capacity.<\/p>\n

Opening weekend gives families a reason to check out C3 again, but the activities do not end there. The center will stay open during regular museum hours, so families can return to favorite activities and find something different as kids get older.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want families to come back and discover something new each time,\u201d Lizotte says. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen so many children grow up at the museum, and now we get to welcome families back into C3 again.\u201d<\/p>\n

As kids grow, the way they experience C3 can grow with them. Younger children may spend more time in Arturo\u2019s Nest, while older kids can explore the Art Lab or discover new connections throughout the galleries.<\/p>\n

With C3 open again, a family trip to the DMA can become the beginning of a much bigger curiosity about art and all the unexpected places it can lead.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the Dallas Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Connections at dma.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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