Activities · 10-20-2015
Artist Phillip Haas’ 15-foot-tall sculptures on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art are amazing. Entitled The Four Seasons, they are 3-dimensional interpretations of Giuseppe Arcimboldo's portrait series of the same name. Arcimboldo was an Italian Renaissance painter best known for creating "composite head" paintings. These paintings were composed of items such as tree roots, flowers, and vegetables. Exploring these sculptures with children inspires fun and creativity. Children love...
Museums · 10-04-2015
The Etch A Sketch, the Hula Hoop, and Lego are three toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed great popularity. They are also members of the National Toy Hall of Fame. To date, 56 toys have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, which is part of The Strong, a wonderful “interactive, collections-based educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play." It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving...
Activities · 09-22-2015
Museum visitors seeking to engage with exhibits appreciate the hands-on educational opportunities museums provide. Many of these programs include both aesthetic and emotional experiences. One example of an effective aesthetic activity was recently offered at The Phillips Collection during their American Moments exhibition. The exhibit highlighted examples of Modernism, documentary expression, photojournalism, and street photography. In a room featuring portraits of artists, a simple prompt...
Museums · 09-11-2015
Terracotta statuette of a girl, 3rd century B.C., On view in gallery 171, Metropolitan Museum of Art, OASC image
Creativity · 08-14-2015
If you have visited the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore, you have experienced an environment filled with self-taught, intuitive artistry. “Since its opening in 1995, the museum has sought to promote the recognition of intuitive, self-reliant, creative contribution as both an important historic and essential living piece of treasured human legacy.” The museum’s education goals include “increasing awareness of the wide variety of choices available in life for all . . ....
Museums · 05-15-2015
Related Posts: Art Museums: How to Engage Young Children How to Visit a Museum with Children
Museums · 05-13-2015
A few years ago, my fifth grade gifted and talented students completed a unique research project. Specifically, we sent letters to museum directors asking for input about one object, artifact, work of art, or a creative selection from their museum's collections. The selection could be a personal favorite, possess significant cultural relevance, be a "best" example of its kind, tell a story, promote a new idea, or expose students to a new experience. The purpose of the project was to provide...
Museums · 04-09-2015
A few years ago, my fifth grade gifted and talented students completed a unique research project. Specifically, we sent letters to museum directors asking for input about one object, artifact, work of art, or a creative selection from their museum's collections. The selection could be a personal favorite, possess significant cultural relevance, be a "best" example of its kind, tell a story, promote a new idea, or expose students to a new experience. The purpose of the project was to provide...