As spring emerges in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Museum is inviting visitors of all ages to step inside for a month packed with art, music and hands-on experiences. From poetry celebrations to classical music performances, the schedule offers something for everyone.
April’s lineup kicks off with programs centered around “Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens,” a major exhibition honoring the influential Malian photographer Seydou Keïta. Designed with accessibility and interactivity in mind, stroller tours on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. give caregivers and infants a chance to explore the exhibition.
On April 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the museum will host an Art History Happy Hour inspired by Keita’s work. The event features talks by curator Pauline Vermare alongside artist Chester Higgins Jr. and journalist Howard W. French, all reflecting on Keïta’s enduring legacy. Tickets are $30 and include one specialty drink and after-hours admission to the exhibition.
One of the month’s marquee events, First Saturday, returns on April 4 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a literary twist. Titled “Inkwells,” the evening celebrates National Poetry Month with performances, readings and art-making inspired by global traditions. The museum’s First Saturday series continues to draw large crowds by offering free after-hours access paired with exciting programming.
Families can also dive into creativity through the “Life at Sea” drop-in workshops, inspired by the work of Oliver Jeffers. Held Wednesdays-Fridays, April 8-10 and 22, and Saturdays-Sundays, April 11-12 and 25–26, 12-4 pm, families can “create colorful creatures and structures. Each afternoon centers on designing new ocean life, from coral to 3D fish, to add to ‘Life at Sea.’”
Members of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra will perform a free pop-up concert on April 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Beaux-Arts Court. They will return for a ticketed event on April 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where they will play selections from Beethoven, Saint-Saëns and Mendelssohn. Tickets start at $20 and will be $30 at the door.
To celebrate Earth Day later this month, the “Forces of Nature: Create, Move and Renew” event invites visitors to “explore our connection to the natural world,” with activities like body movement, engaging with the senses and art appreciation. The event will take place on April 19, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Young adults will also have the opportunity to participate in “Teen Night,” on April 24 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., where they can see “art-making, performances and much more, all inspired by works on view in the Decorative Arts and Design galleries.
For more information on the Brooklyn Museum’s programing, visit their website.
