Art Space for Children

Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership

The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, N.Y., is transforming its Tee Riddler Miniatures Museum building into the new Art Space for Children. The expansion of the building and other changes will allow for an increase in programming.

Construction will cost between $1.5 and $2 million, with an added $1 million needed to run the space. A museum trustee, L. Ronald S. Gray, will make an 85-mile bicycle trip called “Cycling for Kids and Art” from Greenport to Roslyn Harbor. He is selling sponsorships to raise money for the renovation. He will make the trip this Saturday, October 2.

The rendering (above) “shows a modern white building with large windows and blocks of color surrounded by a plaza and amphitheatre for outdoor performances and classes.” The expansion of the building will allow for galleries, workshops, offices, a kitchen and a space for events.

Gray’s bicycle trip will end with a party on Saturday afternoon for “Beastly Feasts! A Mischievous Menagerie in Rhyme.” This exhibition is based on the writings of Robert L. Forbes and includes illustrations for his book by Ronald Searle.

While GMOA’s expansion does not include designated space for children, we will have new offerings for kids and families. Backpacks will be available for checkout at the front desk that have activities in them correlating to the permanent collection. In addition, we will have family conversation panels on the walls next to some of the works in the galleries and plan to have interactive stations that families can visit after seeing the galleries.