On weekday mornings, the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses hums with music, movement and imagination, as families gather for free arts education programs that introduce creativity early — removing cost as a barrier.
From hands-on workshops for children to programs supporting Ole Miss students and adult learners, the museum’s education initiatives are built around access and inclusion. All are offered free, made possible by sustained philanthropic support from Friends of the Museum.
Early exposure to the arts helps nurture curiosity, confidence and creative thinking. At the UM Museum, that exposure is intentional and community centered.
Kassidy Franz, the museum’s education curator, said the programs’ successes are measured both in attendance and in how people return to claim the museum as a space that belongs to them.
“When families make these programs part of their routine or individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves creatively, it shows a meaningful connection has been built,” Franz said. “That sense of belonging is essential.”
She said easy-to-access programming allows the museum to reach new audiences and strengthen the community through shared creative experiences.
In 2025 alone, the museum recorded 5,166 learning opportunities through its education and outreach efforts along with 11 internships and two graduate assistantships for Ole Miss students. Support from Friends of the Museum helps fund supplies and staffing, allowing the programs to remain free.
Frances Zook, president of Friends of the Museum, said the organization’s role is grounded in care — for the collection, for the institution and for the people it serves.
“The museum plays a vital role in preserving and sharing our region’s history through art, while educating students from grade school through college,” Zook said. “Supporting that work is deeply meaningful.”
Membership in Friends of the Museum, she said, creates opportunities to learn, connect and invest in something that benefits generations.
Wil Cook, owner of Southside Gallery and a Friends member, said education programs like those at the UM Museum are essential to sustaining the cultural ecosystem.
“Art education programs are often catalysts for lifelong artistic pursuits,” Cook said. “They build relationships that lead to long-term investment in cultural institutions, cultivating new artists and new patrons.”
For families, the impact is immediate.
Lisa Caniglia of Oxford said museum programs are her three children’s most anticipated activity.
“The lessons provide a wonderful, age-appropriate foundation in art history along with meaningful hands-on creation,” she said. “As a homeschooling family, the programs designed specifically for homeschoolers are especially valuable.”
Kellyn Peek, who has three sons ages 6, 3 and 1, said the Discovery Days program has become a favorite.
“The connection to art in the museum is so neat,” Peek said. “I have loved bringing my boys to focus on a different exhibit or art medium and then create their own masterpieces. And I get to take a step back and watch their artistic talents shine — without any of the prep or cleanup at home.”
The programs also serve as training grounds for future educators. Katie Amidon, a teaching assistant and doctoral candidate in the UM School of Education, works with children through Building Brains, a monthly program that integrates museum learning with early childhood education coursework.
“It’s a win-win,” Amidon said. “My students gain practical experience, and families have access to high-quality programming that supports early learning.”
Franz said ongoing philanthropic support ensures the museum remains a welcoming, community-centered space.
“These programs encourage lifelong engagement, support creative growth and position the museum as a place of connection,” Franz said. “They show how donor support can open doors and sustain the arts for future generations.”
Opportunities to support arts education at the UM Museum are part of Giving Day 2026, running from 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, through 5:48 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.
To support the UM Museum’s education outreach programming, contact Maura Langhart, senior director of annual giving, at mmwakefi@olemiss.edu or 662‑915‑2760.
By Michael Newsom/UM Development