Learn about people, traditions, and celebrations around the world through art and activities you can do at home!
Polynesia: Make a Grass Skirt
Where is Polynesia?
The Pacific Islands are divided into three geographic and cultural regions: Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Polynesia includes islands scattered across a triangle ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Ancient Coins: Make Your Own Money!
Ancient Greek didrachm
The invention of coins is shrouded in mystery. Coins as we think of them today were first used as a method of payment around the 6th or 5th century BCE. According to the ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
China: Celebrate the New Year
The History of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is China’s most important festival. It is also the most important celebration for families ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Yup'ik: Make a Hunting Hat
Who are the Yup’ik?
The Yup’ik are one of the indigenous peoples of western, southwestern, and southcentral Alaska and the Russian Far East. They are related to the Alutiiq, Aleut, Inuit, and ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Mexico: Create a Colorful Alebrije
What are Alebrijes?
The MOA’s alebrije collection includes this piece combining the features of several different animals.
Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures depicting ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Australia: Make an Aboriginal Didgeridoo
Who are the Aboriginal People?
Australia’s Aboriginal peoples are one of the two distinct groups of indigenous peoples in Australia. Most believe Australia has been populated for at least ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Malawi: Make a Galimoto
Where is Malawi?
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Malawi covers over 45,747 square miles, making the country roughly the size of Pennsylvania. Lake Malawi, also known as ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Mali: Make A Dogon Mask
Dogon men dance with kanaga masks.
Who are the Dogon?
The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the central region of West Africa, mostly in Mali and Burkina Faso. The Dogon population is about ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Navajo: Let's Weave
Who are the Navajo?
The Navajo, who call themselves Diné, are the second largest American Indian group in the United States. There are around 300,500 enrolled tribal members.
The Diné have ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
Mesoamerica: Make Your Own Chocolate
Cacao tree
We get chocolate from the seeds of the cacao tree. Originally, cacao trees only grew in Mesoamerica: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. In ancient times, the Olmec, Toltec, ...
Categories: Cultures Up Close
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Museum of Anthropology
The Museum is open to the public Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Special arrangements can be made for groups and events.
Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.