Thanks to a $1 million grant from Kohl's Department Stores, the Milwaukee Art Museum recently became even more family friendly. Kohl's Art Generation is a studio and gallery located inside the museum that provides art education and art making for children and their parents.

"This program allows the Milwaukee Art Museum to expand our reach as a major resource for art education and broaden our presence in the community," says Brigid Globensky, senior director of education and programs for the MAM.

The Kohl's Art Generation Studio features a new art project every month. Children and their families can stop in for just a few minutes or stay for the entire day. Examples of monthly projects include self-portraits, two-dimensional and three-dimensional art and animals in art. The program is free and kids make something to take home.

Studio hours are Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and classes, which have a fee, are taught on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Kohl's Art Generation Gallery features rotating installations. Currently, the space houses Color Stories, a vibrant show that teaches children about the world of color. The gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

Kohl's Art Generation is ideal for kids ages 3-10, but the program is open to older kids and parents or caregivers.

"We've seen parents and caregivers enjoying the activities just as much as the children," says Globensky.

The Kohl's Art Generation Gallery is located in the Pieper Education Gallery, which is on the first floor just past Windhover Hall. The Kohl's Art Generation Studio is located on the upper level off the Haitian Collection.

Kohl's Art Generation also features a community outreach program called "Color Wheels" which will set up at a variety of local fairs and festivals this summer to offer free art-making activities for kids.

Color Wheels will be at South Shore Frolics on July 10; Mequon Gathering on the Green on July 11; Bastille Days on July 12; Festa Italiana on July 16; Waukesha County Fair, July 17-19; Zoo a la Carte, Aug. 20-23 and Cedarburg Fine Arts and Crafts Fair, Sept. 19-20.

Many believe that children who participate in regular art programs achieve higher test scores, develop critical abilities such as innovation, persistence, creativity and willingness and are able to communicate more effectively.

"Milwaukee is truly lucky to be home to a company so committed to children's health and education initiatives," says Globensky. "This program allows the Milwaukee Art Museum to be even more family friendly."