Programs

Our Programs

Grades K-2

Animals in Art: Animals in Art highlights works of art from diverse cultures from ancient to modern times. Beginning with cave paintings from France and Spain students learn to look at the shapes, colors, textures, and materials found in the images of animals from around the globe. Some examples include Tang horses, Egyptian sculpture, Rajasthan painting, collages, and illustrations from well-known children’s books.

Children in Art: This program enhances students’ observational skills as they compare art masterpieces that focus on children from around the world. This presentation provides a window into the lives and experiences of children from a variety of cultures and eras.

Everyday People Doing Everyday Things: This is a basic introduction to observational skills for the younger student. It provides images of people from diverse cultures and countries throughout history performing activities from daily life. The works of art include ancient Chinese scrolls, Japanese woodblocks, colonial paintings, paintings of Native Americans, and paintings by African American artists.

Families in Art: An introduction to looking at art and “learning to read art” by comparing families from different countries and historical periods. This program captures the heart of families and illustrates that families come in many different shapes and sizes. By observing a wide variety of art, representing a wide variety of family units, the students come to see how artists reflect the true meaning of family.

Seasons: Using the theme of seasons throughout the year, this program leads students on a journey through time and climate. From Monet’s “Grainstacks,” viewed in multiple seasons, to Medieval manuscripts, to Midwestern harvesting scenes, to David Hockney’s inviting pool in “A Bigger Splash,” students will feel the “temperature” of the many seasons. This program invites students to experience the entire story that is told by each artist. The basic elements of artistic language will be addressed. What will most inspire the students will be their ability to completely immerse themselves in the time and place depicted in each work of art.

Impressionism: This is a discussion of art, history, and culture in France in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. Students will learn biographical material about Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Mary Cassatt while they review the artist’s work.

Grades 3-5

Massachusetts through Art:  An introduction to the history of Massachusetts through works of art. Students will compare paintings and engravings from colonial times through the 21st century. Early works of art will include an image of the arrival of the pilgrims, portrait paintings of early patriots by renowned artist John Singleton Copley, and scenes from the Revolutionary War. 19th Century paintings of daily life and the economy of Massachusetts will include landscapes and genre paintings, and the program will wrap up with some exciting artwork from life in present day Massachusetts.

Regions of America: This program can be presented as a single presentation or as a two or three part series. As a single presentation the students will engage in an overview of the regions of America as seen through the eyes of multiple artists. With the series presentations students are offered a more in depth discussion of each region. Each presentation includes major themes of history, environment, geography, industry, and lifestyles unique to the region. Students are challenged to recognize some unique characteristics of the Northeast, Midwest, South, West and Southwest.

Art of North American Indigenous Peoples: A study of the creations of the native civilizations. This program compares four regions and multiple nations from these regions, the Northwest Coast, the Southwest, the Woodlands and the Plains. Students observe the daily objects that native peoples used for survival. These objects were beautifully created to enhance the environment and express magic and mystery. By viewing clothing, shelters, weapons, masks, pottery and baskets from different regions and tribes, students will understand how the geographical location and natural resources influenced the works of art.

Two Cultures Meet: Native Americans and Europeans:  A look at the ways in which European and Native American art and culture influenced each other from the time of exploration to the 20th century. Students begin by observing traditional Native American art, architecture, and artifacts produced before the time of contact with European voyagers. Those images are contrasted with 15th century European paintings that depict court life, the Catholic Church, and the explorers. The second part of the program focuses on contact and attitudes between the Indigenous Americans and the Europeans. Once European settlers no longer sought help from the Native Americans and sought to displace them, the program discusses how this change is reflected in the artwork of both groups. Some of the images show animosity and racial stereotypes. The program concludes with more contemporary images created by Native Americans that show a mixed heritage and attitude about our country.

Immigration to America:  A broad survey of images representing the diversity of immigrants in America’s past. References are made to immigrants from Eastern and Western Europe, South and Central America, China, and other parts of Asia. From the pilgrims to 20th century, connections are made between the artwork and the life and circumstances of immigrants through time, including many contributions of immigrants to American society.

African American Art:  An overview of works of art created by artists influenced by their culture from the 18th century to the 20th centuries. Students will gain insight into the socioeconomic, political and historical situations that influenced these artists through the visual images presented. Artists include: Henry Tanner, Horace Pippin, Aaron Douglas, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, and others. This program can be presented in one or two parts.

Art of India:  This is a survey of art that takes students through the 5000 years of artwork in India. A land of incredible diversity of geography, climate, and culture, India was the birthplace of several major religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. They look at sculpture, architecture and painting, and discuss the influence of religious beliefs, climate, and historic changes that affected different styles of art. Many of the images they study, from lively statues of animated gods to delightful miniature paintings, can be found in local museums.

Art of Mexico:  Students take a journey through ancient Mexico and up to contemporary times by comparing works of art from the country's rich history. They look at sculpture, architecture and painting from several ancient civilizations including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec and discuss artistic materials, styles, and content. The program introduces legends and facts to help explain the fascinating pre-Columbian life that existed in Mexico. Students study paintings of more modern artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo as they learn more of the stories and themes that intrigue Mexican artists.

Early American Art Part I:  An introduction to art during the colonial period and beyond. Students will view folk art and colonial art from before and after the American Revolution. This seminar will include artifacts, individual portraits, family portraits, engravings and historical paintings. Together, these works of art will tell the story of this important time in history.

Early American Art Part II:  This program is an exploration of the expanding western frontier as experienced by artists. Landscape painter Albert Bierstadt, action painters Frederick Remington and Charles Russell, genre painter George Caleb Bingham, and others, are viewed. Major themes include Native American influences, Lewis and Clark, National parks/natural wonders, transcontinental railroad and the daily struggles of life on the western frontier. This program is effective as an individual presentation of as a follow up to Early American Art Part I.

Grades 6-8

Incas, Mayas and Aztecs: This is a survey of the ancient cultures of South America and Mexico. The Incas lived in South America and the Aztecs lived in Mexico. The program presents an opportunity for students to observe the unique characteristics of the ancient objects that native peoples have created. These objects represent the way of life, the natural resources available, and the beliefs of the Aztecs and Incas. Students will compare and contrast a variety of objects and the purposes they served.

Ancient China: An introduction to the art of China from the Shang Dynasty through the Ming Dynasty. Students will compare slides of works of art from ancient times, as well as those from later dynasties. A variety of mediums will be observed that includes bronze vessels, tomb pediments, bricks, tiles, terracotta figures and scrolls. Discussion about the objects found in tombs will provide an understanding of the way that the art and artifacts help gain insight into the daily life of ancient Chinese culture. The architectural works will range from the Great Wall to the Forbidden City in Medieval times. Depending on your school it may be used in grade 6 or grade 7. Check with teachers.

Ancient Egypt: This is a broad overview of Egyptian culture through the arts. The survey includes architecture, with a focus on tombs and pyramids, wall paintings, hieroglyphics, sculpture, objects, and mummies. The students will apply their knowledge and understanding of the everyday life and beliefs of the Egyptians through the examples of art that they observe. This lesson uses many works of art found in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. To enhance students' enjoyment, please book this near the end of a class' study of the topic. Depending on your school it may be used in grade 6 or grade 7. Check with teachers.

Ancient Greece/Rome: This program explores ancient pottery, architecture, and sculpture. Masterpieces will introduce the student to the early development of art and its historical context. Upon completion of the presentation, students are able to recognize classical Greek influences in the world around them. This program focuses on Greece, with references made to Ancient Egyptian and Roman civilizations. Upon teacher request, the focus can be altered to give more attention to ancient Rome, making it a combination of both Ancient Greece and Rome.

Spanish and Latin American Art: This program examines the works of artists native to Spain and Latin America. In addition to surveying the varying styles of art related to these cultures, this program explores the history and meaningful events. The selected art offers a visual timeline that serves to spark discussion about the past, and its impact on the present, This program works well as an enrichment program for middle school foreign language students studying Spanish.

Art of France: explores centuries of art, and a multitude of art movements. Starting with illuminated manuscripts from medieval times and moving up through the iconic art
movements of the 20 th century this program examines the ways in which France has played a central role in the world of art history. The Art of France works well as an enrichment program for middle school foreign language students studying French.