Nov 11, 2007 9:09 am US/Eastern
CBS 2 At The Met: Uris Center For Education
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
What a celebration was held for the Met's brand new Uris Center for Education, located on the ground floor on the far south end of the museum. This area has been closed for renovations for the past three years.
Now, in this bright new space for art study, students and groups can gather before they go upstairs to explore the met. Museum President Emily Rafferty describes the Uris Center as a gateway to CBS2's Dana Tyler. "We really provide the link here to the lifelong learning that is upstairs in our galleries."
The Met boasts that the new Uris Center has something on every level for people of all ages everything from lectures on the newest exhibitions to art classes to a family library. Museum Educator John Welch said, "We wanted people to be able to see the spaces in action, so they know how fit into the life of education of Met and the city of New York!"
And it's a natural fit. We dropped in on an adult sketching class. This is the place if you want to learn how to draw. All classes and events in the Uris Center are free with admission to the museum. Down the hall, sight-challenged visitors have the opportunity to touch works of art. Right next door, we watch future artists in the making. famed painter and textile artist Faith Ringgold, who's art has been on display at the Met, was at the head of this quilting class of fifth graders.
Ringgold said, "It's very exciting to see the children's work come out so beautifully and see how they are inspired by these great masters of art."
School groups and families making their way into the Uris Center can check out the calendar of events, maps, and an array of youth programs custom made just for them.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, a graduate of the city's public schools himself, is convinced the programs here will inspire today's students. Klein said, "This marvelous center will be another venue for kids all over the city, some of whom have never before been in the Borough of Manhattan much less the Met!"
Thousands of students visit the museum every month. this will be their first stop for orientation. Museum director, Philippe de Montebello told Tyler, "The new and improved Uris Center puts education front and center, instructing people early in life turns them into lifelong advocates of art." Like native New Yorker and entertainer, Tony Bennett.
A painter in his own right, he found inspiration in a drawing class, sketching the Met's Senior Vice-President Harold Holzer. He beamed, "I just wish I looked as good as this I'm thrilled to have Tony Bennet do a portrait!"
At the end of the day we found the Olanescu family looking over the books in the new library. This young mother said the Met's new Uris Center is their second home. "I walked in an among all the places, I go for activities for my children, I walked in a said this is beautiful i'm moving in!" Art, and learning for all.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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