The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is inviting Toronto families to "bust a move" this winter with all-ages programming inspired by an exhibition that celebrates hip hop music's global impact on visual culture.
The exhibit, called "The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century," is on at the AGO until April 6 and celebrates the impact of the musical genre through photography, video, painting and fashion.
"Placing fashion, consumer marketing, music, videos and objects in dialogue with paintings, sculpture, poetry, photography and multi-media installations, the exhibition considers activism and racial identity, notions of bling and swagger, as well as gender, sexuality and feminism," the gallery described in an exhibit overview.
The exhibit is also the focal point of the gallery's Black History Month celebration in February.
During February, the museum will host dance lessons, breakdancing battles and an "epic" Family Day event that explores the many aspects of hip hop.
'Creative play' at the AGO
“Creative play is an essential part of well-being, and we’ve expanded our Family Day programming to four days, with even more opportunities for movement, making and learning," AGO spokesperson Robert Durocher said in a press release.
Featured events include a dance party with DJ OAKEVE and a storytelling session led by Toronto author Nadia Khan. The artist Rachel Joanis will also create trading cards for kids visiting the AGO to collect.
Admission to the AGO is free for Ontarians under 25, AGO members, annual pass holders and Indigenous people.
For more details and a complete list of Black History Month events, visit the AGO's website.
The AGO is also gearing up for March break with a focus on kids activities including art challenges, scavenger hunts, quizzes and games inspired by the gallery's art collection. A complete list of March break programming is available online.
