BIMA Bistro has switched to its fall hours: Monday-Saturday, open 10am-4pm. Closed Sundays.

Summer Camps are a great way to keep kids busy and their minds and hands engaged.

Education

BIMA invites learners of all ages to explore the power of art through creative expression, engagement, and dialogue. Our diverse array of programs invites everyone into the museum to discover the relevance of art in our lives and in our communities. 

As part of the Museum’s commitment to provide access to arts and culture in the Puget Sound region, many of BIMA’s programs are offered low-cost or free-of-charge.

Whether you are seeking to explore art-making in a workshop or drop-in gallery program, expand your mind in a lecture, engage in Creative Aging art and wellness programs, or find a summer camp for young family members, there are options for everyone!

School & Educator Programs | Youth & Family Programs | Drop-in, Workshops, & Lectures | Creative Aging

School and Educator Programs

BIMA’s art-based learning opportunities spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and bolster creativity. Designed to support Washington and federal standards, our free school and educator programs provide accessible, high-quality arts education for all learners in Kitsap County and beyond. Visit our Schools & Educator Programs page for information about:

  • Field Trips – Guided & Self-Guided
  • Curriculum 
  • Professional Development
A student group enjoys a free docent-led field trip during BIMA's show commemorating the 75th anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese-Americans on Bainbridge Island.

Youth and Family Programs

BIMA has a series of week-long summer camp to fit your young artist between the ages of 6 and 13.

Learn about this year’s offerings.

Drop-In, Workshop & Lecture Programs

BIMA offers a range of opportunities to hone your craft or try something new. Practice your life drawing skills at its weekly Go Figure! life drawing sessions. Prefer something less formal? Try Drink & Draw next door at the Alehouse. Or, try something completely new at BIMA’s ongoing workshops. Not so much of a maker? BIMA has a diverse array of lectures and presentations that are perfect for engaging your mind and fostering conversation.

Meet the Artist

An informal opportunity to engage with exhibiting artists surrounded by their work in the galleries. Ask questions and learn first-hand about their inspirations and processes. Free, no registration required.

Art in Action

Join BIMA and build community through free art making activities for all!

Two locations:

Docent-led Artist’s Book Hours

Take a closer look at the current Artist’s Book show in the Sherry Grover Gallery. On selected days, hosts are available to answer your questions and help you explore these detailed and intricate works of art.

Barbara Earl Thomas gives an Eye On Artist presentation in the Frank Buxton Auditorium.

Drink & Draw

Come for a drink and stay to draw during this fun, free, clothed-model session hosted by BIMA at the Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse. Open to anyone 21+ who is interested in working from the model, regardless of experience level. Every third Thursday.

GO Figure! Life Drawing Sessions

Drawing directly from the human figure is a wonderful way to hone your technical skills. GO Figure! is a facilitated nude/unclothed live model session in which participants build community while exploring variations in lighting, poses, and settings. This life-drawing studio is open to anyone interested in working from the model, regardless of experience level. No instruction or drawing materials are supplied; easels, drawing boards and tabletop work surfaces are available.

Artist Talks

Hear exhibiting artists speak about their work, inspiration, methods and materials.

Open Book Tours

Join an Artist’s Book expert for a guided showing of selected works outside the display cases in the Sherry Grover Gallery, allowing viewers to see the movement and multiple dimensions so critical to the appreciation of the book arts. See scheduled times.

Go Figure Drink and Draw

Creative Aging

BIMA has made a priority of serving its community at all stages in life and our Creative Aging programs exemplify this effort. With programs created for those looking to just get out, flex their creativity, and keep their mind fresh and calm to those dealing with early-stage memory loss and their caregivers, BIMA is proud to offer the following:

Meet Me At The Movies

BIMA is thrilled to announce the return of Meet Me At The Movies, offered in partnership with the Frye Art Museum. Entertaining, inspiring, and uplifting, Meet Me at the Movies is an interactive film program that celebrates the wonder of film and its ability to connect us with memories.

Look Again: Guided Art Discussions

Individuals with early-stage memory loss, their care partners, and anyone interested in looking at and talking about art, enjoy a facilitated discussion in a relaxed and welcoming museum gallery environment.

Read more on our Creative Aging page.

Guest enjoy art by Chris Maynard during "Look Again," a program for those dealing with early stage memory loss.