Michelle Obama on Thursday urged cultural institutions to throw open their doors to give disadvantaged children access to another world.

The First Lady wants kids to be works of art.

Drawing on her childhood experiences, Michelle Obama on Thursday urged cultural institutions to throw open their doors to give disadvantaged children access to another world.

“There are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and concert halls and other cultural centers, and they think to themselves, ‘Well, that’s not a place for me — for someone who looks like me, for someone who comes from my neighborhood,’ ” she said at the dedication of the new $422 million Whitney Museum of American Art in the Meatpacking District.

“In fact, I guarantee you that right now, there are kids living less than a mile from here who would never in a million years dream that they would be welcome in this museum.”

The First Lady said she spoke from personal experience.

“Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I was one of those kids myself. So I know the feeling of not belonging in a place like this,” she said.

Obama praised the Whitney for offering educational programming and said more museums and theaters should do the same.

“If you run a theater or a concert hall, make sure you’re setting aside some free tickets for our young people,” she said. “If you run a museum, make sure that you’re reaching out to kids in struggling communities. Invite them in to see those exhibits.”

“Maybe you could inspire a young person to rise above the circumstances of their life and reach for something better,” she said.

Whitney officials say that in line with Obama’s appeal, they are offering a dedicated center for educational activities, free visits for city schools, and an afterschool program that will give high school students a chance to work with contemporary artists.

Obama said she “fell in love” with the new, 220,000-square foot building designed by architect Renzo Piano at the edge of the High Line, and called every part of it “magnificent.”

Mayor de Blasio, who also spoke at the ribbon cutting, said that “even jaded New Yorkers think its special when Michelle Obama is present.”

“This is the most beautiful freight elevator I’ve ever ridden on,” she cracked.

The museum will open to the public Friday. Its previous location on Madison Ave. closed last year.

Mayor de Blasio, who also spoke at the ribbon cutting, said that “even jaded New Yorkers think its special when Michelle Obama is present.”

Later, the First Lady appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” where the funnyman asked about her post-White House plans.

“What, like whether I’m going to be running for President or anything?” she said.

“I think we should hang out together,” Letterman said. “We could do things. I would help you raise your children. I could help you through those dark times.”

fonte: @edisonmariotti #edisonmariotti http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/michelle-obama-urges-museums-kids-free-article-1.2205987?cid=bitly