New Frontiers in Art

Featuring 120,000 square feet of classic American imagery, the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville is the world’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art. The Smithsonian-affiliated museum also features the most rotating art exhibitions in all of Georgia. The museum lives up to its mission to “educate, entertain, and inspire guests through the exploration of Western art, popular culture, and American heritage in a welcoming environment” by providing specialized programming and inclusive elements that allow every visitor to see America’s story.

Booth Western Art Museum is located at 501 Museum Drive in Cartersville.

Sensory-Friendly Programs

In consultation with Emory Autism Center and the Bartow County School District Exceptional Education Department, the museum developed programs and special features for neurodiverse audiences.

Among the events offered are Sensory-Friendly Mornings, two hours dedicated to providing quiet spaces for neurodiverse visitors to explore art in a calm, welcoming environment. Visitors receive a sensory-friendly goody bag with items like fidget spinners and stress balls. They can also participate in art activities developed especially for sensory sensitivities.

The museum welcomes visitors to ask for a quiet space anytime it’s needed. On the museum website, sensory-friendly maps in English and Spanish highlight high- and low-noise-level areas in the museum.

The next Sensory-Friendly Morning event is planned for Saturday, March 25.

Art with Merit

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Photo Courtesy: The Booth Museum

The museum offers programs for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA to experience the American West with informative, hands-on activities based on the Scout curriculum and developed in partnership with local district councils. Participation in these events allows Scouts BSA to earn merit badges and Cub Scouts to earn the STEM Nova badge.

A one-time Cub Scout himself, museum educator Sam Harris understands the values of the organization and works closely with BSA leaders to facilitate learning opportunities for scouts of all ages. Led by trained museum educators, the next Merit Badge Clinic is planned for Saturday, May 20, during which scouts earn merit badges in Indian Lore, Art, and Pottery. On Saturday, July 22, the next Cub Scout Day allows scouts to discover “science, technology, engineering, art, and math behind westward expansion from stagecoaches to steam engines.” Girl Scouts who visit the museum can access a special scavenger hunt on the museum website for a chance to earn a patch.

This fall the museum will host an inaugural Scouting the West event for Scouts to taste food from a chuck wagon, view artisan demonstrations, and listen to stories about the history of the American cowboy, all while earning a special patch.

Homeschool Programming

Photo Courtesy: The Booth Museum

Grace Adams, director of marketing, shares that the museum regularly offers programs designed for homeschool students and families to learn art techniques in a classroom setting with other children, letting them “make friends and be kids” while exploring art and creativity inspired by current exhibits. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 3, and Friday, May 5, for these events.

Hands-on Learning

Among the activities featured in the three-story building—itself a work of art constructed with Bulgarian limestone and inspired by characteristics of Pueblo architecture—is Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive area for children to discover art through play. Organized like a working ranch, the play area allows little cowpokes to explore more than thirty interactive stations in the farmhouse, barn, bunkhouse, and corral.

Taking hands-on learning to a new level, the museum offers visually impaired visitors the chance to discover art through items specifically designed for touch. Included are representations of sculptures and paintings that guests can hold, touch, and feel.

Museum City

Photo Courtesy: The Booth Museum

Executive Director Seth Hopkins credits community support. “Without member support from our community we would not be able to offer all the rich programming. Membership is a tremendous value when you look at the discounts and exclusive opportunities to attend gallery walks and lectures, as well as special events that provide the community with entertaining and engaging cultural experiences. We also see great social connections being made among our members who enjoy interacting with like-minded people and being exposed to the arts,” he shares.

Grace also recognizes the importance of community in making events at the museum possible. She says many locals refer to Cartersville as “Museum City,” a source of great community pride. Indeed Cartersville boasts a wealth of rich cultural resources, including The Booth Museum and its sister museums, Tellus Science Museum (also a Smithsonian affiliate), Savoy Automobile Museum, and Bartow History Museum.

Celebrating twenty years in 2023, The Booth Museum has welcomed nearly a million visitors, and with its inclusive and special programs, the museum is sure to continue its legacy of bringing the American West to life here in Georgia.