Enhancing Children's Voices


Date: Jun 2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

For the past two years, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Diane Collier from Memorial University have been co-researching innovative teaching, language, culture and identity. Alongside primary teachers and children from two multicultural elementary schools in St. John’s, they have worked together to enhance ways to listen to young children's perspectives, to talk about artifacts and engage in various ways of making art to tell stories.

Please join the researchers, teachers and children as they talk about this rich project looking at experiential learning that honours the voices of children. Through working with artists and partnering with Memorial University and The Rooms, their research is part of a larger project called  ADVOST that includes projects in Finland and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, they completed an identity mapmaking project with the support of educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering at The Rooms. Children came to The Rooms to interact with the exhibition "Helping Hands: 30 Years at Kinngait Studios". They experimented with mapping and drawing their interests and identities, and then returned to their classrooms to create their own art. Their artworks are featured in the MakerFaire event at The Rooms on June 3.

Today's Events & Programs

10:30 am - 11:15 am

Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.

Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.

Cost: $20 plus HST.

Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.

 

11:30 am - 12:15 pm

Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.

Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.

Cost: $20 plus HST.

Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.

 

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!

Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.

What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.

This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.

Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.

Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Tour

Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador

Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!

Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.

What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.

This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.

Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.

Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Celebrate 20 Years of Stories with Music at The Rooms

Join us for a musical celebration of The Rooms’ 20 Years of Stories.

This performance will honour the season with a rich mix of traditional Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas music, original compositions, and stories deeply rooted in our shared culture. With its emotional resonance, musical excellence, and local voice, this concert aligns perfectly with The Rooms’ mission to preserve and celebrate the stories that shape our province.

Honouring The Rooms’ Legacy Through Song

To reflect the milestone anniversary, the show will feature Echoes in the Halls, an original composition by Linda Hickey and recorded by Hamilton Sound in 2025. This deeply moving piece was inspired by museum spaces and the sacred act of preserving memory. It serves as a tribute to The Rooms’ 20-year commitment to storytelling, curation, and the voices of past and present.

As the festive season draws near, the performance will also include a selection of beloved holiday music, filling the theatre with the warmth and joy of Christmas.

Come immerse yourself in this heartwarming celebration and enjoy the festive cheer—an unforgettable evening to share with family and friends.

Cost: $25 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090. (Does not include admission to the galleries.)