MONTREAL.- Forever seeking to make art universally accessible, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts created an Art Kit for families, with the support of the Foundation of Greater Montréal. To distribute 250 kits to as many families throughout the city, the Museum solicited the collaboration of 19 community organizations. The kit contains instructions and materials for a slew of fun educational activities that give families an opportunity to discover the Museum from home. To cap it off, there is also a family pass to the Museum, valid for one year.

This introductory kit offers an inviting way to learn more about the history of the oldest art museum in Canada and seven representative artworks in its collection, created by artists Moridja Kitenge Banza, Shary Boyle, Aaron Curry, Annie Pootoogook, Christian Luycks and Tom Thomson as well as Front design studio. Varied creative activities based on these works familiarize families with a range of artistic techniques and concepts like the self-portrait, the still-life and abstraction. What's more, all the supplies needed to carry out the activities are included: clay, sketchbook, sculpting tool, paper, pastels and more.

"A museum can be an intimidating place for someone who's never set foot in one. The Art Kit serves as a first encounter with the MMFA, allowing people to discover a bit about its history and the works in its collection right in their own homes. The activities also give families an opportunity to interact and create together. In working with community organizations that serve disadvantaged or marginalized individuals, we are able to pursue our mission of making art accessible to everyone," explains Mélanie Deveault, Director of Education and Wellness, MMFA.

To carry out this project, the MMFA partnered with the Breakfast Club of Canada, ATD Fourth World Canada, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, the organization Communication pour l'ouverture et le rapprochement culturel (C.O.R.), Carrefour des 6-12 ans de Pierrefonds-Est, La Ruelle d'Hochelaga, Centre Lasallien Saint-Michel, the CLSC de Ville-Émard, Continuité-famille auprès des détenues (CFAD), Famijeunes, le Centre de services scolaire de Montréal, Équipe RDP, le Milieu éducatif La Source, Mile-End Community Mission, Moisson Montréal, Park-Extension Youth Organization (PEYO), A Montréal School for All, Women on the Rise and the YWCA Montreal.