Albany Museum of Art to present Halloween ‘Spooktacular’

ALBANY — Don’t be afraid. It’s just a museum.

Or is it?

The Albany Museum of Art will transform into a fun “boo-seum” on Halloween afternoon with a two-hour AMA Spooktacular that will get kids ready for their trick-or-treat rounds. The free event led by the AMA Teen Art Board is from 3-5 p.m.

“Halloween is a favorite time for kids, who become superheroes, scary creatures from spooky stories, and characters from fairy tales and movies,” AMA Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Van Oteghem said. “We’ll have a haunting art project they can take home, face painting, games in AMAzing Space, and candy hunts that will let them get a head start on collecting treats.”

The Spooktacular is ideal for kids ages 3 to 10, but it’s an event for the whole family. The creaking doors to fun open at 3 p.m. in AMAzing Space and the AMA Classroom.

“Members of our Teen Art Board will help guide the goblins and ghouls as they play Halloween-themed games,” Van Oteghem said. “They also will do face painting, which will be especially perfect for any kids who need last-minute help on their disguise for trick-or-treating.”

Starting at 3:30 p.m., Teen Art Board members will assist kids as they engage in a monstrously creative art project.

“All the needed art materials will be provided, and our friendly staff and Teen Art Board volunteers will be on hand to offer guidance and assistance,” she said.

A series of candy hunts will start at 4 p.m.

“The candy hunts inside the boo-seum will be staggered according to age groups so that the littlest trick-or-treaters don’t get left out of the fun,” Van Oteghem said. “Be sure that you bring a bag or pumpkin for your candy.”

The hunt will continue until 5 p.m. unless enterprising trick-or-treaters find all the sweet prizes before that time.

“The Teen Art Board is so proud to host this event for the kids in our community,” Van Oteghem said. “Their goal is to inspire creativity and fun through hands-on art experiences that bring people together. Events like Spooktacular are a wonderful way for teens to take the lead in making art accessible and exciting for younger children while strengthening the sense of community that the Albany Museum of Art is all about.”