Cool Culture

Resources & Activities

Take a look at our educator resources for ways to create, heal, and share cultural traditions among families through immersive experiences and art-making.

Abayomi Doll
Making

The Abayomi doll originates from the Yoruba culture in West Africa. During the transatlantic slave trade, African mothers would sometimes take pieces of cloth from their skirts and make these dolls to remember their children and to generate hope. The dolls became symbols of resistance. People throughout the African diaspora continue this dollmaking tradition to affirm cultural connections to the past and embody this resilience spirit for future generations.


How to Make an Abayomi Doll: 

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The Healing Benefits of Sound

Wellness ceremonies and rituals that tap into the healing power of sound can be found in many cultures. Self-care and collective wellbeing can begin with an awareness of the sounds in our homes. What are we listening to? What sounds spark joy? What do we want to include in our daily soundtrack? How can we bring these sounds in our homes and in shared spaces that will promote wellness?

 

How to Make a Wind Chime: 

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Campaigning for Civic Wellbeing

Cool Culture launched a 6-week Civic Wellbeing Campaign designed to inspire families to use their voices and their power to improve the civic health of their communities.

Curators for Educators: Civic Wellbeing

Curators for Educators: Civic Wellbeing

Cool Culture hosted an educator workshop at Poster House to encourage activism in school communities through art and culture.

Access Our Family Guide in Your Language

Access Our Family Guide in Your Language

Download the 2023 Family Guide in English, Spanish or Chinese for a list of cultural spaces to visit, a map to help you get there, and tips to enhance your family’s adventures.

Curators for Educators: Physical Wellbeing

Curators for Educators: Physical Wellbeing

Bronx Children’s Museum hosted our January professional development workshop where educators had an exclusive look at exhibits and exchanged ideas on engaging families.

Inspiring Mental Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

Inspiring Mental Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

Download our Mental Wellbeing Toolkit to help facilitate family discussions about caring for mental health with art-making and cultural practices.

Curators for Educators: Spiritual Wellbeing

Curators for Educators: Spiritual Wellbeing

For our return to in-person professional development workshops, educators joined us at Brooklyn Museum for art-making, reflection, and an exhibition tour.

Educator Orientations Kick Off the Program Year 

Educator Orientations Kick Off the Program Year 

We welcomed new and returning educators to our CityWide Cultural Access Program through a series of virtual orientations this fall.

Inspiring Physical Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

Inspiring Physical Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

“All bodies deserve love!” Download our Physical Wellbeing Toolkit to use storytelling to inspire wellbeing and art-making.

Inspiring Civic Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

Inspiring Civic Wellbeing: Toolkit Resources

Download our Civic Wellbeing Toolkit for resources and art-making that encourage the use of our collective power to call for change.