Education

ARTISTS IN SCHOOLS

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art provides creative learning opportunities for students and educators that ignite curiosity, foster critical and creative thinking skills and develop environments that are rigorous, inclusive and collaborative. Aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, the Bechtler contributes to building a community of lifelong learners.

Museum-trained teaching artist go into schools to work with an individual class or an entire grade level. Classroom residencies are aligned to the current exhibition, center on a particular artist or medium. All residencies are needs-based and are co-designed by the teaching artist, classroom teach and/or museum staff. Each residency provides up to 25 contact hours and includes a free museum tour with reimbursement for substitute teacher and transportation.

TESTIMONIALS

I liked this, it was very fun but it was challenging. I never know that there was pop art until she told me and I am learning new art stuff so I can try it out. I wish I would take an art class and she was my teacher. - Participant

Working one on one with a visiting artist from the Bechtler was awesome in and of itself, but to then be given the opportunity to go to the museum and stand in front of the work of the artist we had studied, well, that just took it to a whole new level of understanding. - Community Partner: Anne Kiefer, Crestdale Middle School, Art Teacher

This was a great opportunity. Our students need exposure to artists, the building and spaces that exhibit art, and create quality hands on pieces of work that otherwise are not achieved due to the lack of public schools' resources. The partnership between a corporation / museum and guest artist /students is essential for maintaining appreciation for visual art, art making, critique, 21st century skills, and wellbeing of students and our future. - Lauren Griffin, University Park Creative Arts Academy, Art Teacher 

LESSON PLANS

Click on any of the links below to download interactive lesson plans:

Elementary School:

• Alexander Calder Wire Portraits
• Niki de Saint Phalle: Papier Mache Nanas

Middle School:

• Collagraph Prints and Construction
• Sam Francis Book Making

High School:

• Geometry and Experimentation: Op Art Painting
• Subtractive Sculpture 

To learn more about our Artists in Schools program, email education@bechtler.org.