Night at Montreal Fine Arts Museum raises money for underprivileged families

MONTREAL – From historic sculptures to modern art, underprivileged families aren’t always able to experience the wonders of art and culture.

In an effort to introduce the arts to hundreds of disadvantaged schoolchildren, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has organized a Night at the Museum event, where “in a thrilling quest through time, kids and parents will solve riddles, have some shocking encounters and take on challenges made just for them.”

“We created a treasure hunt with all sorts of activities that are pertaining to the artworks and we had different characters come to life,” said Louise Giroux, educational programs officer.

It’s the third time the museum’s volunteer association has planned the event, helping over 300,000 families discover the arts.

“Children come in after the museum is closed, and they think it’s great because they think the museum is just for them at night, and it essentially is,” said Alysia Yip-Hoi, A Night at the Museum steering committee co-president.

“We have puzzles, we have games and they go around the museum and they find all the answers in the artworks. So, at the same time they learn about Canadian and Quebec art.”

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All the funds raised go to bring underprivileged children in Montreal to the museum.

“We go out and we get the children from the schools and they come to the museum for about two hours and they see the artwork and they do hands-on activities and they get to take this home and share the joy of coming to the museum,” said Giroux.

“They, themselves become ambassadors because they tell their parents. You see the light in their eyes.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They, themselves become ambassadors because they tell their parents. You see the light in their eyes."

The aim is to bring 4,500 kids in every year to benefit from the program.

“It makes us human and gives them tools to become better equip for life, balanced and they know more about themselves, the world around them,” said Giroux.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It makes us human and gives them tools to become better equip for life, balanced and they know more about themselves, the world around them," said Giroux.

“It makes for a full development for a child.”

The Night at the Museum event takes place Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets for a family of two adults and their children or grandchildren are $250.

rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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