AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE | Spend your last summer days at ASI!
Spend those last few weeks of sunshine and warm days within the magnificent walls of Minnesota’s one and only castle—the American Swedish Institute museum and cultural center!
The American Swedish Institute museum and cultural center has a schedule of programs for every age and interest in language, cooking, and crafts; fun happenings in the historic Turnblad mansion, including a series of unique events perfect for every age. We have something for everyone!
ASI’s Youth and Family programs offer opportunities for families, children and even the tiniest tots to learn about Scandinavian art, craft, culture and history – and to discover something new about themselves.
From handcraft classes to opportunities for language learning, from summer day camps to birthday parties, there’s always something for you and your children to explore together.
Our Youth & Family programs also offer field trips designed for students. Our team is flexible and excited to provide the best experience tailored to your unique educational goals! ASI is currently booking dates through January 2024.
Activities
• Tours are $8 per student. These are guided tours of either the Turnblad Mansion or the current exhibition. Some dates throughout the year are unavailable.
• Miscellaneous Workshops are $10. These can include a tour at no additional cost. Examples would be if an educator wanted to combine a tour and an artifact analysis activity, the fee would still be $10 per student. Students can either examine Swedish Immigration artifacts or “Swedish holidays throughout the year” artifacts. The miscellaneous workshop could also be a handcraft workshop that uses paper.
• Handcraft Workshop is $16. Similar to the workshops above, these can be combined with a tour and the cost will still be $16 per student. Chaperones can’t do the handicraft workshop. Examples are wooden Dala horses, needle felting, etc.
How to book a field trip
• Email Youth & Family Programs Coordinator Lindsey Tscherne lindseyt@asimn.org
???? Green Woodcarving 101 on Oct 6: You’ll learn the fundamentals of woodcarving in this class. Get an overview of the tools, terminology, and concepts of working with green wood.
???? Green Woodcarving 102 on Oct 7–8: Take your Nordic green woodcarving skills to the next level! Discover the tools and techniques to begin a woodworking practice at home.
-Painting with Wool – Rosemaling
Sun, Sept 17–24
1–3 pm CST
Did you know rosemailing and needle felting mix together beautifully? Craft your own using a kit with everything you need–including sheep wool from instructor Laura Berlage’s own farm.
Perfect Classes for Beginners:
☕ Painted Mugs on Sept 14: Design your own mugs in any pattern you imagine or make them a theme set with Sue Flanders and Ingrid Sundstrom.
???? Handcraft Sampler Bag on Sept 23: Try your hand at a variety of Nordic crafts! In this day-long class, you’ll carve wooden stamps. paint on fabric, sew your bag, and make cord handles.
???? Nature Themed Block Printed Cards on Oct 19: Create your own stamps in any design you imagine to make a card in just one crafty evening.
Looking for a birthday party venue? Create a fun and memorable themed party for your special birthday child (or grandchild). They’ll love it, their friends will love it, and you’ll love it, too, because ASI will do the set up and clean up and organize all the activities!
Birthday parties can be booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons (1 to 3 pm) depending on availability. Birthday party must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance to help staff plan your party. Perfect for kids turning 5 to 12.
Birthday Parties include:
Five options for party theme: Pippi Longstocking, Viking, Moomin inspired, Dala Horse Handcraft, or Princesstårta (Swedish Cake).
2-hour Room Rental. 1.5 Hours Facilitated Activities / 30-minute Social Time (cake and presents)
ASI Party Staff
ASI branded cups for all the party guests to bring home
Birthday Decorations
Museum Admission for all youth birthday party guests
The American Swedish Institute is a vibrant arts and cultural organization that engages locally and connects globally. With a campus including the historic Turnblad Mansion and the Nelson Cultural Center, ASI uses its resources to be a valuable community asset and integral partner in Minneapolis.
ASI is located at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Open 10 am to 8 pm on Thursdays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. General admission is free for ASI members and children five and under. $6 for ages 6 to 18 and students of all ages. $12 for adults. $8 for seniors age 62 and over. Walk-up museum admission is available, or register in advance.
