ABOUT
What is Mummies and Masterpieces?
Founded by educator and museum specialist Lauren Perlman, Mummies and Masterpieces is a unique educational program that enhances learning for both children and adults through the exploration of museum masterpieces, hands-on creativity, and meaningful discussion. The program grew out of Lauren’s diverse experiences in Jewish education, museum education, special education, and experiential learning.
After graduating from the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, Stern College for Women, and Bank Street College of Education, and teaching at institutions including The Abraham Joshua Heschel School, The Churchill School and Center, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren envisioned a program that would integrate art, education, critical thinking, and hands-on learning into engaging experiences for all ages.
What sets us apart from other art programs is that we do not believe in lecturing or spoon-feeding information to our participants. In today’s time, information is literally at the world’s fingertips, and is easily accessible to all. We believe in wondering, questioning, exploring, problem-solving, and discovering museum masterpieces TOGETHER. In addition, our art projects are PROCESS-BASED, as opposed to PRODUCT-BASED. In other words, our goal is not to send participants home with “perfect” works of art. This is not a message that we would want to give to any student: young or old. We strive to enable our students to experience great pride in what they learn and what they create. We do not label artwork with blanket statements. We validate and celebrate each individual idea and creation.
Our entire staff is driven by, and committed to this philosophy. All of our educators are required to hold undergraduate or advanced degrees in the field of education and, once hired, are trained on the learning styles, differentiated instruction, artist backgrounds, specific museum masterpieces, art materials and appropriate hands-on art experiences for all ages and backgrounds.
Our programs include virtual and in-person slide discussions, hands-on art workshops, museum visits, and customized educational experiences. We partner with schools, libraries, synagogues and religious institutions, museums, community centers, senior residences, rehabilitation centers, camps, and organizations throughout the United States, Israel, Canada, and beyond. We can come to you, meet at a museum, or combine both experiences into one enriching program. We proudly work with participants ranging from toddlers to senior citizens.
Why do we need a program such as this one?
Research has shown that children and adults possess varying strengths and learning styles and require more than one kind of entryway through which to learn.
Creative arts programs are not a luxury. They are a necessity for those who seek to provide the most meaningful and effective learning environment for their students.
OUR HISTORY
Does turning more pages or memorizing lists of facts really signify the acquisition of learning?
Mummies and Masterpieces has been creating museum programs for over 32 years. We will be relocating back to NY in the summer of 2026 and will be available worldwide.
Mummies and Masterpieces enhances learning through museum collections, and our programs consist of virtual or in-person slide discussions, hands-on art workshops, and/or museum visits. We service religious schools and institutions, secular schools, private schools, home schools, day care programs, community centers, park districts, libraries, high schools, colleges, graduate schools, senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Our programs take place at your educational institution, at a local museum or online. The programs can be one-time experiences or a series of workshops.
