Collection Connections

Explore your curiosity and creativity with fun, playful activities inspired by works of art from the CMA’s collection. Gather your family and dive into creative challenges, games, music, stories, and more—all from home. New themes, artworks, and activities will be added each week. Spark your imagination with Collection Connections, then share your creations using #CMAatHome! 

Sculpture

A sculpture is a three-dimensional artwork and can be created with many kinds of materials. Sculptures can be of people or things, or sculptures can be abstract. What will you make?

Let’s build

Perspective

Perspective is a technique that artists use to show depth of space or distance in drawings and paintings. Perspective is also the way that you see the world, your unique point of view. Everyone has their own way of seeing things. What’s your perspective?

Let’s explore your point of view

Neck Ornament, 1800s–1900s. South Africa, Northern Nguni people. 2010.207

Pattern

Patterns are repeated arrangements of colors, shapes, or lines. Create your own work of art inspired by the museum’s collection. Where can you find patterns in your life?

Let’s make a pattern

Tel & Tel, 1952. Louis Lozowick. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2018.1080

Abstraction

Abstract artists use shapes and lines to create their designs. Create your own abstract works of art inspired by artists in the museum’s collection. What are your favorite shapes?

Let’s explore shapes

Still Life with Meat, Fish, Vegetables, and Fruit, c. 1615–20. Jacob van Hulsdonck (Flemish, 1582–1647). Oil on panel, the reverse prepared with gesso; 71.5 x 104 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Janice Hammond and Edward Hemmelgarn, 2018.258

In the Kitchen

Explore objects inspired by the food we eat. Investigate your kitchen, draw an imaginary feast, and design a snack for you and your family. What is your favorite food?

Let’s eat

Tile–Ship, c. 1700s. Holland/Netherlands. Educational Purchase Fund, 1929.967

Adventure

Many artists like to capture their adventures in their work. Be a home adventurer and show us how you like to explore. What was your most daring adventure?

Let’s go on a journey

Bride’s Robe, 1700s. Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). 1918.550

Adorn

Explore wearable objects from different times and places. Play dress up and put on a family fashion show! What is your favorite thing to wear?

Let’s dress up

Utopia (detail), 1945. Reneé Magritte. Bequest of Lockwood Thompson, 1992.275. © 2013 C. Herscovici, London / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Dream

Artists express their dreams, hopes, and wishes in many ways. Dive into the strange world of Surrealism and explore your dreams through collage and poetry. What do you dream about?

Let’s dream

Music

Some visual artists are inspired by music and sound. Create your own artwork based on the music you hear! What kind of music do you like?

Let’s listen

Gigaku Mask: Suikojū, 710–94. Japan, Nara period. John L. Severance Fund, 1949.158

Feelings

Artists express feelings in many different ways. Discover masks from around the world and explore your feelings through drawing and dance. How do you express your feelings?

Let’s explore feelings

Twilight in the Wilderness, 1860. Frederic Edwin Church. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund, 1965.233

Landscape

The outdoors is full of colors and patterns. Take a closer look at landscapes and objects in the CMA’s Collection Online, then explore your own neighborhood landscapes! What do you see outside your window?

Let’s look outside

Silver Wine Jug, Ham, and Fruit, c. 1660–66. Abraham van Beyeren. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund, 1960.80

Still Life

A still life is a picture of different things like food and flowers. Go on a scavenger hunt and see what you can find to make your own still life! What are your favorite things?

Let’s find more

Looking for an artwork in the collection?