Skirball Cultural Center facts for kids
The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of learning and discovery in Los Angeles, California. It opened in 1996 and is named after Jack H. Skirball and Audrey Skirball-Kenis, a couple who generously gave money to help create it.
The center is a place where Jewish culture and traditions are shared, but it welcomes everyone, no matter their background. Inside, you can find a museum with exciting exhibits that change regularly. There are also movie nights, concerts, plays, and fun family activities. The campus is large, with a museum, a theater, classrooms, libraries, gardens, and even a café.
Contents
Explore the Skirball Museum
The Skirball Museum existed even before the Cultural Center was built. It started in 1972 at a nearby college and moved to the center once the new buildings were ready.
The main exhibit is called Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America. This exhibit tells the 4,000-year-old story of the Jewish people. It shows their history, experiences, and beliefs. As you walk through the galleries, you'll see:
- Ancient objects (artifacts) from long ago
- Historical photos and documents
- Beautiful works of art
- Interactive computer stations and sound recordings
The museum's collection has over 30,000 items. You can see ancient tools, special objects used in Jewish ceremonies from all over the world, and art in many different styles.
Amazing Architecture
The Skirball Cultural Center was designed by a famous architect named Moshe Safdie. He designed the buildings to fit into the beautiful landscape of the Santa Monica Mountains. The center's design uses interesting shapes and materials that connect it to the nature around it.
All Aboard Noah's Ark
One of the most popular exhibits at the Skirball is Noah's Ark. This award-winning attraction is a giant wooden ark filled with handcrafted animals. It's a fun, interactive space for families.
Inside, you can help build the ark, load the animals, and even make a storm! The exhibit was designed to be a hands-on experience. It features nearly 300 animal figures, including many life-sized puppets that are brought to life by the gallery staff.
The fun continues outside, where a special rainbow mist sprays into the air. This was created by the center's architect, Moshe Safdie, and an artist named Ned Kahn.
Fun Activities and Learning
The Skirball is a popular place for school field trips. Every year, about 60,000 students and teachers visit from all over Southern California.
The center offers many educational programs. There is a special discovery center where kids can learn about archaeology, which is the study of ancient people and objects. It even has a pretend dig site where you can feel like a real archaeologist exploring ancient Israel.
Besides school programs, the Skirball hosts many events for the public. These include concerts, plays, poetry readings, and film screenings.
Images for kids
-
Zeidler's Cafe at the Skirball Center.
