MoA+L
Photo Courtesy of MoA+L
The Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) is proud to announce a series of new initiatives designed to connect young people, families, and educators with the transformative power of art, creativity, and technology. These projects—launched in collaboration with schools, community partners, and cultural organizations—underscore the Museum’s commitment to inspiring the next generation through interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experiences. Below are a few examples that showcase the innovative, collaborative spirit shaping MoA+L’s future.
Connecting Creativity: Curricula & Connoisseurship with Manhattan High School
This fall, MoA+L launched “Connecting Creativity: Curricula & Connoisseurship”, a yearlong pilot program in partnership with Manhattan High School. A select group of students from diverse disciplines—including journalism, graphic design, animation, computer science, visual arts, and digital media—are working alongside eight faculty mentors and museum staff to explore the intersection of art, technology, and creative careers.
Through workshops, critique sessions, and collaborative design, students will gain real-world experience in curation, connoisseurship, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Each participant earns academic CTE Pathway credit, while contributing to a culminating exhibition at MoA+L in April–May 2026. “This program empowers students to see how creativity drives innovation across many fields,” said Kristy Peterson, VP of Learning, Engagement & Visitor Experience at MoA+L. “It gives them the tools to collaborate, critique, and create in ways that can shape their futures.”
See My World: Digital Photography with Boys & Girls Club
MoA+L has launched a new partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan, supported by a $5,000 gift from Lafayette Lodge #16 of the Kansas Freemasons. On October 3, the Teen Club participated in a three-session photography workshop, “See My World”, led by contemporary photographer Shreepad Joglekar, K-State Associate Professor of Photography, and MoA+L Teaching Artist.
Inspired by the exhibition Crafting Sanctuaries: Black Spaces of the Great Depression South, youth in grades 6–8 will learn to compose and capture meaningful photographs using digital cameras. Their images will be published in a printed book and displayed in MoA+L’s interpretive space, “Sanctuary in Motion.” “This program helps students discover the power of visual storytelling and connect their own experiences to history,” said Anthony Erives, Teen Club Program Specialist for the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan.
Creepies, Crawlies + Creatures Family Day: Girl Scouts & Sunset Zoo – November 8
To celebrate its one-year anniversary, MoA+L is hosting a special Family Day on November 8 in partnership with Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and Sunset Zoo. Activities include:
- Drop-in badging opportunities for Daisy and Brownie Scouts (Animal Observer + Bugs badges).
- Live animal encounters courtesy of Sunset Zoo.
- Hands-on art-making inspired by digital artist Des Lucrece and his imaginative “Mon” creatures, featured in the exhibitions Neo-Techne: Art in the Age of the Machine and Erosion of Time.
Families will receive a field guide to explore the exhibitions and create their own fantastical creatures and habitats. Activities are free and open to all; museum admission is not required for participation.
Youth Photography Competition and Digital Exhibition: Where I Feel Most “Me”
MoA+L is proud to announce Where I Feel Most “Me”, a Community Youth Photography Competition and Juried Digital Exhibition, on view November 12, 2025 – March 9, 2026. Open to students in grades 6–16 within a 150-mile radius of Manhattan, Kansas, the project invites youth to explore ideas of place, community, and belonging through the lens of photography.
Inspired by the museum’s current exhibition, Crafting Sanctuaries: Black Spaces of the Great Depression South, participants are encouraged to respond to the question, “Where do I thrive in my community—or what does the word ‘sanctuary’ mean to me?” The competition aims to empower students to tell their own stories, celebrate their surroundings, and share unique perspectives of “home” and “rebuilding the future.”
Submissions will be accepted Now through October 31, 2025, with selected works featured in a public digital display at the Museum of Art + Light and online at www.artlightmuseum.org. Entries will be juried by professional photographers Dwan Miller and Marlin Watson, whose regional ties and creative expertise will guide the selection process.
Winners in each division (middle school, high school, and college) will receive prizes, including a projection of their image on the exterior façade of the museum building and a complimentary family membership. For full competition guidelines and submission details, visit https://forms.gle/hyYwgVUu4FdbsDF57.
Continued Group Visits & Educator Support
As a new contemporary art museum, the Museum of Art + Light is deeply committed to making the arts accessible and meaningful for young learners. With five new exhibitions across four temporary galleries, MoA+L provides fresh opportunities for students to explore the connections between fine art, digital innovation, and immersive experiences.
To ensure access, the Museum offers discounted group admission for school and youth groups: K–12 students are just $10 each, and required adult chaperones are admitted free (1 per 10 students). More than simply a visit, MoA+L works alongside educators to extend classroom learning—those who book in advance can receive tailored resources, optional pre-visits, and customized lesson support within a 50-mile radius. By welcoming students into the galleries, MoA+L fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration—skills essential for the future. These visits are designed not only to spark curiosity, but also to demonstrate how art and technology intersect in today’s world. Reservations can be made online: artlightmuseum.org/group-tour-reservation-request.
