Nellie Mae Go!

Intergenerational Community Art Program

About

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts piloted intergenerational art workshops and in-gallery activities inspired by Nellie Mae Rowe, combining free drawing, writing, and digital media to explore creative expression. The workshops and activities aligned with national and state education standards. Programs were designed to be used in various formats and for different audiences—from summer camps to family workshops to teacher training—building lasting partnerships and reshaping the museum’s approach to exhibition-based programming.

Intended Outcome

The museum aimed to streamline its program planning process with a more holistic approach, build scaffold activities based on the audience, and with these changes, bring in 600 workshop attendees.

Actual Outcome

The Nellie Mae Go! intergenerational community art program was a good pilot to evolve the museum’s program planning process because it could be scaled up or down to meet the needs of various age groups and experience levels. Lessons were broadly structured, allowing for academic content to be added while permitting an open exploration of narrative content. The workshops deeply engaged 71 participants.

Advice Post Project

When designing museum engagements for intergenerational audiences, create flexible and inclusive programs that encourage organic participation and foster a sense of community. Offering structured yet informal artmaking opportunities, such as the Nellie Mae Go! workshops and interactives, ensures that visitors of all ages and experience levels feel welcome. Additionally, consider preserving and showcasing visitors’ contributions through a zine or other collaborative projects to further enhance the connection between the exhibition and the audience.