Multisession collaborations between the museum’s education department and schools combine exhibition-based programs with specialized classroom visits by an experienced museum educator. These multiple-visit school partnerships provide students with a unique opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills and powers of observation. Customized to meet each school’s objectives, school partnerships can also include artmaking workshops, professional development for school staff, and programs for families. School partnerships are appropriate for all age levels. Sample programs:

Learning to Look
Over the course of multiple visits in the classroom and the museum, students develop careful looking and thinking skills as they work together through facilitated discussions to decode works of art on view in the museum.

Introduction to Folk Art
Students explore the unique qualities associated with folk art through extended observation of works of folk art in the classroom and the museum. Traditional and contemporary objects spanning the permanent collection and special exhibitions will be examined.

People and Places
Students learn about different cultures, time periods, and groups of people as they examine characters and setting through careful observation of works by traditional and contemporary self-taught artists, focusing especially on how to read stories told through images. This topic can be tied to classroom reading units, and works of art that fit with readings can be chosen in conjunction with the classroom teacher.

To find out more about the above sample museum-school partnership programs or to create a specialized program for your school and students, contact Jennifer Kalter, manager of school and family programs, at 212. 265. 1040, ext. 148, or jkalter@folkartmuseum.org.