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
June 2019
The Eric Carle Museum, Exhibits
All: A Look into LGBTQ Representation in Picture Books, through July 28, 2019, Eric Carle Makes a Book, through August 25, 2019. All: A Look into LGBTQ Representation in Picture Books August 1, 2018 - July 28, 2019 An exhibition of digital reproductions Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) representations in picture books work to build empathy while reinforcing the validity of different identities. All: A Look into LGBTQ Representation in Picture Books explores illustrations of love, identity, discrimination, validation, and families. Curated…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Mr. Liam & Friends
Mr. Liam & Friends present an energetic show filled with drums, ukulele, puppets, and comedy as he plays old favorites and silly parodies! Mr. Liam (Liam Hurley) is proud to make the Pioneer Valley his new home after many years in NYC. He is one half of the popular kids’ music duo The Big Littles and the former drummer for Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band. Northampton Community Music Center presents Mr. Liam & Friends. June 22, 11:00am. $5; Museum admission…
Find out more »July 2019
The Eric Carle Museum, Free Fun Friday!
Free Fun Friday- come and enjoy Eric Carle Museum for free!! The Highland Street Foundation 11th annual Free Fun Fridays initiative, a summer program that offers visitors no-cost admission to many of the most treasured cultural venues in Massachusetts, from art museums to zoos. Learn more about Free Fun Friday at www.highlandstreet.org.
Find out more »