The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
About the Museum
The mission of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.
Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000-square foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country.
Hours:
Hours from September through June
- Tuesday – Friday* 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- *Open Monday through Friday during the Massachusetts February and April school vacation weeks.
Hours in July and August
- Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Holiday Closures: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
The Lord Jeffery Inn/ Eric Carle Museum Package
Picture everything Eric Carle! Enjoy this unique museum experience with your family. Begin your stay with in-room snacks for the family and new plush friends for the kids.
Then head on off to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art with admission for four and a gift card to get you started in the gift shop. Finally, start each morning off right with breakfast for four in our restaurant, 30Boltwood.
Rates starting at $293
December 2019
The Eric Carle Museum, Special Storytime
Join author Julia Denos and illustrator E.B. Goodale as they reteam for Here and Now, a picture book that explores identity and connection, inspires curiosity, and offers a guided meditation through reading. Free with Museum admission.
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Now and Then: Meet the Artists!
Celebrate the opening of Now & Then: Contemporary Illustrators and their Childhood Art with exhibiting artists Elisa Kleven, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Barbara Lehman, Grace Lin, Raúl the Third, Shadra Strickland, Don Tate and Evan Turk. See their childhood art displayed next to their professional picture book art! Free with Museum Admission. SCHEDULE 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Special Art Studio project, facilitated by early education students at Holyoke Community College 10:30 – 11:15 am Co-curator Jarrett J. Krosoczka will lead Now & Then artists in a series of fun drawing activities. This program is intended…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Happier Family Comedy Show
Founded in 2015, Happier Valley Comedy is the heart of improv comedy in Western Mass! Their Happier Family Comedy Show is all about letting creativity flourish in an accepting atmosphere. Each improv show is an hour-long, all new, and created on the spot based on audience members’ suggestions and participation. Geared for kids ages 5-12, you won’t want to miss this program packed full of high energy and family-friendly funnies! $10 Adult / $5 Youth (Members: $9 Adult / $4.50 Youth)…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, CactusHead Puppets
CactusHead Puppets Present: Magnificent Monster Circus CactusHead Puppets presents a circus like no other! Join Max, the Monsters’ Caretaker, in this fun and interactive show performed with several different styles of puppets as they guide you through the world of monsters, and maybe even lend the monsters a hand yourself. You'll meet many friendly monsters in this table-top big top, and witness their amazing tricks of daring-do! All are invited to step right up and enjoy the thrills of Clarissa…
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