The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art has expanded their education offerings to include two new partnerships that help those with memory loss and their caregivers.

The museum will present “Meet Me at the Movies” in partnership with the Frye Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 25 in BIMA’s Frank Buxton Auditorium.

Then, the museum will kick off the new monthly “LOOK AGAIN: Early Stage Memory Loss Guided Art Discussions with the Alzheimer’s Association” on Friday, June 1.

Both programs are free to attend and open to the public.

In March 2018, the museum introduced “Meet Me at the Movies,” a short clip-based film experience featuring beloved classics.

Surrounding a new theme each time, the films are followed by an audience discussion and reminiscence guided by a moderator. This program, developed and produced by the Frye Art Museum, is intended for those with memory loss and their caregivers, but is a great opportunity for anyone to connect and reminisce together.

On May 25, “Meet Me at the Movies” returns to BIMA to explore the theme “Aging.”

The program will be back two more times in 2018, on Aug. 24 (“Pacific Northwest”) and Nov. 9 (“Animals”).

“‘Meet Me at the Movies’ celebrates the wonder of film and its ability to connect us with enduring memories,” said BIMA education director Kristin Tollefson. “Through this opportunity to look at and talk about film, we are opening new pathways for community conversation about art in all forms.”

“LOOK AGAIN: Early Stage Memory Loss Guided Art Discussions” is a new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, in which individuals living with mild memory loss and their care partners enjoy a facilitated art discussion in the museum’s galleries in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Attendees are invited to socialize in the BIMA Bistro with light snacks and fun conversations afterward.

The program will take place every first Friday, and requires pre-registration. To inquire about registration, contact Kenna Little, Alzheimer Association’s Early Stage Memory Loss Manager at 206-529-3868 or kelittle@alz.org.

“These kinds of programs are such natural extensions of our commitment to be a place of inspiration, of connection, of community,” said Sheila Hughes, executive director for BIMA.

“Beyond the well-documented benefits to the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of seniors who participate in programs like this, the museum can fill a much-needed niche: we can be that inspiring space to gather, to talk, to make connections with art and with each other,” she added. “I can’t think of a higher purpose for an arts organization.”

More information on both programs and BIMA’s education offerings can be found at biartmuseum.org.