Familienplatz has long been the family oriented part of Musikfest. This year, it was presented in a radically different format due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Artsquest coordinates the Familienplatz activities. Senior Director of Visual Arts and Education, Lisa Harms and her staff collaborated to produce a mainly online experience.

Sponsor Crayola contributed take-home bags. Families could pick up the bags at the Banana Factory on weekdays during Musikfest. More than 100 bags were distributed to the community. In addition, Crayola sponsored the coloring contest. Illustrator Doug Boehm created a dynamic, intricately drawn poster. The poster was available in the take-home bags, and also online. Children could submit their colored in posters for a chance to win daily prizes and also a grand prize. Crayola provided the prizes. Boehm also served as the contest’s judge.

Online art lessons were another important part of Familienplatz. Families could register through the Musikfest website. Artsquest’s Manager of Visual Arts Elena Ostock gave video tutorials for each of the 10 days of crafts. Links to the projects were provided. Once children completed their projects, they could upload a photo of their work. Harms said the response to the videos was great.

Online Dance parties were another offering. Three dance parties occurred during Musikfest. Artsquest’s Education Coordinator Joanne Garcia led the parties and taught dance steps.

Both the dance parties and the online art lessons were provided on Edflow, a format Artsquest also used for its summer camps.

A postcard project, See You Soon, sponsored by Provident, was available to all ages. The postcards are on display in the windows at the Banana Factory.

Martin Guitar sponsored the Virtual Handwerkplatz, featuring artisans and vendors who would have been in their own section on the Musikfest grounds. Harms said, “ Our resident (visual) artists and glass artists have been hit hard (by the COVID closures).” The Virtual Handwerkplatz is still operating. It can be found at www.Musikfest.org.

Some of the virtual elements employed for this year will be part of future events. This would include the virtual tutorials, and the uploading of finished artwork. Harms spoke of their value in reaching people who were unable to attend the festival, whether due to distance, circumstances, or even a rainy day on a regular year. So look for these activities next year, even if Musikfest is once again live and in person.