Art Institute of Chicago Educator Programs

10/20/2021

Student Activity: Engaging with Works of Art
What new understandings and ideas can we create when we look closely, ask questions, and make connections with works of art? What pulls your attention here—what do you see? What do you wonder?

Engage further with this activity and others on the Educator Resources page: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/90-student-activity-engaging-with-works-of-art Use the image provided or search for other artworks that interest you on the museum's website: www.artic.edu/collection.

Charles Sheeler
The Artist Looks at Nature, 1943
Learn more about the work: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/49714/the-artist-looks-at-nature

Student Activity: Engaging with Works of Art
What new understandings and ideas can we create when we look closely, ask questions, and make connections with works of art? What pulls your attention here—what do you see? What do you wonder?

Engage further with this activity and others on the Educator Resources page: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/90-student-activity-engaging-with-works-of-art Use the image provided or search for other artworks that interest you on the museum's website: www.artic.edu/collection.

Charles Sheeler
The Artist Looks at Nature, 1943
Learn more about the work: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/49714/the-artist-looks-at-nature

09/23/2021

Resource Highlight: Art + Language: Story Map
What is the setting of this scene? Who might be the main character? Works of art can suggest vivid stories and be read much like a written text. This activity asks students to look carefully at art works and notice details that reveal the elements of a story. Browse the museum’s collection to select a work to explore or use the image suggested above.

Resource:
https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/114-art-language-story-map)

Browse the Collection: https://www.artic.edu/collection

Joseph Delaney
Coney Island, 1932

Resource Highlight: Art + Language: Story Map
What is the setting of this scene? Who might be the main character? Works of art can suggest vivid stories and be read much like a written text. This activity asks students to look carefully at art works and notice details that reveal the elements of a story. Browse the museum’s collection to select a work to explore or use the image suggested above.

Resource:
https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/114-art-language-story-map)

Browse the Collection: https://www.artic.edu/collection

Joseph Delaney
Coney Island, 1932

09/06/2021

“Painting is the only weapon I have with which to fight what I resent.”
--Charles White

A Labor Day Reflection through Art
Charles White is recognized for the richness of his graphic work and his paintings, which typically depict aspects of the history, culture, and lives of Black Americans. White’s father was a railroad and steel worker and his mother a domestic worker; this inspired in White a deep respect for labor.

Here White uses his masterful technique to render his subjects--their strong hands and arms, muscle-bounds from years of hard labor in the fields-- with heroic proportions and a deep humanity. The emphasis on the large scythe (an emblem often associated with the Soviet Union)—as well as the social realist sensibilities throughout his work, his travels to the Soviet Union, and his writings for and affiliation with left-wing publications—suggest that Harvest Talk was inspired by socialist ideals.

Charles White Teaching Resource: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/23-educator-resource-packet-harvest-talk-by-charles-white

Charles White (American, 1918-1979)
Harvest Talk, 1953

“Painting is the only weapon I have with which to fight what I resent.”
--Charles White

A Labor Day Reflection through Art
Charles White is recognized for the richness of his graphic work and his paintings, which typically depict aspects of the history, culture, and lives of Black Americans. White’s father was a railroad and steel worker and his mother a domestic worker; this inspired in White a deep respect for labor.

Here White uses his masterful technique to render his subjects--their strong hands and arms, muscle-bounds from years of hard labor in the fields-- with heroic proportions and a deep humanity. The emphasis on the large scythe (an emblem often associated with the Soviet Union)—as well as the social realist sensibilities throughout his work, his travels to the Soviet Union, and his writings for and affiliation with left-wing publications—suggest that Harvest Talk was inspired by socialist ideals.

Charles White Teaching Resource: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/23-educator-resource-packet-harvest-talk-by-charles-white

Charles White (American, 1918-1979)
Harvest Talk, 1953

08/16/2021

What a Homeland Is: Six AAPI Artists from the Collection | The Art Institute of Chicago

Learn about remarkable and seldom displayed works made by select Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists through, "What a Homeland Is: Six AAPI Artists from the Collection," written by Yi Cao, Director of Administration for the museum’s Arts of Asia collection.

https://www.artic.edu/articles/927/what-a-homeland-is-six-aapi-artists-from-the-collection

When I started working in the museum's Arts of Asia department a year ago, I was thrilled to care for an expansive collection that connects with my cultural heritage and the place of my birth for the first time in my career.

08/06/2021

Spies and Counter Spies | The Art Institute of Chicago

Create a Round-Robin Story
Work together with your family to tell the story unfolding in this artwork. Have someone start the story and write down the first sentence. Pass the paper to the next person to write the next sentence. Repeat this process until everyone has gotten a chance to contribute at least once. Put your sentences together and read your thrilling tale for all to enjoy. For more ideas to engage with works of art see the Get Creative at Home page: https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually/create-and-learn/get-creative-at-home/creative-writing-prompts

Julio De Diego, Spies and Counter Spies, 1941
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/198810/spies-and-counter-spies

Julio De Diego, 1941

07/29/2021

Artists of the Obama White House | The Art Institute of Chicago

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS:
ARTISTS OF THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE
The Obamas not only selected two groundbreaking contemporary artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, to paint their portraits, but as president and first lady, they also showcased an inclusive art collection while at the White House. This highlights tour accompanies The Obama Portraits exhibition. All featured works are on view at the museum during the exhibition.

Educator Resource on featured artist Alma Thomas: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/36-educator-resource-packet-starry-night-and-the-astronauts-by-alma-thomas
The Obama Portraits Exhibition: https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/9507/the-obama-portraits
Highlights Tour: https://www.artic.edu/highlights/36/artists-of-the-obama-white-house

The Obamas not only selected two groundbreaking contemporary artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, to paint their portraits, but as president and first lady, they also showcased an inclusive art collection while at the White House.

07/26/2021

Coloring Book Pages | The Art Institute of Chicago

Art + Self-Care Idea: Color the Classics!
Coloring requires focus and allows us to put aside other thoughts, including stress or worry, to be in the present and complete the task at hand. Spend some time with icons of the Art Institute's collection using these printable coloring pages to recreate or put a fun spin on the classics.

https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually/get-creative-at-home/coloring-book-pages

Spend some time with icons of the Art Institute’s collection with these these printable coloring pages featuring La Grande Jatte, Nighthawks, The Great Wave, and more. Pick your favorite to recreate, or put your own stamp on a timeless classic.

07/19/2021

Educator Resource Packet: Dancing Ganesha | The Art Institute of Chicago

TEACHING AND LEARNING: HOW DO YOU PROBLEM SOLVE?
Ganesha is Hinduism's Lord of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles. Posed mid-dance he is sure to amuse with his oversized elephant head and rotound belly–but there's more to the story. As the bestower of success, Ganesha's powerful attributes can overcome any challenge. What's a challenge you've recently overcome and how did you do it?

Learn more about the Dancing Ganesha in this educator resource: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/19-educator-resource-packet-dancing-ganesha

This sculpture of Ganesha, Hinduism's Lord of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles, posed mid-dance, is sure to amuse with his oversized elephant head and rotund belly.

07/12/2021

Charged by Power | The Art Institute of Chicago

TEACHING AND LEARNING: EXPLORING DIGITAL INTERACTIVES
Take a closer look, peek under the layers, and discover new research and stories behind objects in our collection using this online tool.

Explore a Vili (Kongo) power figure from the Republic of the Congo: https://www.artic.edu/interactive-features/charged-by-power

The primary task of the nail-studded nkisi was to hunt down evil and wrongdoers.

07/08/2021

Making a Difference: A Tour for Families | The Art Institute of Chicago

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: A TOUR FOR FAMILIES
Learn about five works of art that envision peace, imagine new futures, and create safe and just spaces. Explore the works in this self-guided tour online or in the museum’s galleries, and engage the suggested activities with your family and friends. Think about what you can do to make a difference in your family, in your community, and in the world.

Making a Difference: A Tour for Families: https://www.artic.edu/highlights/37/making-a-difference-a-tour-for-families

All works featured in this tour are on view during The Obama Portraits. Learn more about how to see the portraits: https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/9507/the-obama-portraits

What are things you do to make a difference in your family, in your community, and in the world?

07/06/2021

Marc Chagall's America Windows | Art Institute Essentials Tour | The Art Institute of Chicago

Marc Chagall’s (French, born Vitebsk, Russia {present day Belarus} 1887-1985) America Windows offer a meditation on freedom of expression through the arts. The panels that comprise this work expressively depict (from left to right) music, painting, literature, theater, and dance as well as details such as the Statue of Liberty and the Chicago skyline. Chagall created this work as a gift the Art Institute during America’s bicentennial in 1976. He admired America and took refuge here for several years in the 1940s after fleeing the N***s.

Find tips for teaching this work in this Educator Resource Packet: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/13-educator-resource-packet-america-windows-by-marc-chagall

Learn more about Chagall and America Windows through this Art Essentials Tour video: https://www.artic.edu/videos/25/marc-chagalls-america-windows-art-institute-essentials-tour

07/01/2021

Works by Rufino Tamayo (Mexican, 1899-1991) recently installed in gallery 136 help connect the ancient Mesoamerican art historically displayed in this gallery to the modern era. Tamayo was influenced by his Zapotec heritage and study of the kinds of pre columbian sculptures on view here, including the Storyteller Figure from Jalisco (100/800A.D.). Tamayo’s blending of these influences with cubism and other international avant-garde art movements can be seen in his paintings on view, María Izquierdo (1932) and Woman with a Birdcage (1941).

Illinois teachers receive free admission to visit the museum’s galleries. Register here: https://www.artic.edu/educators/visit-on-my-own/educator-admission-request

Learn More about Rufino Tamayo: https://www.artic.edu/artists/36878/rufino-tamayo

Learn more about the Storyteller Figure:
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/73795/storyteller-figure

06/17/2021

Edward Hopper's Nighthawks | Art Institute Essentials Tour

ART ESSENTIALS TOUR: NIGHTHAWKS
Take a closer look at Edward Hopper’s classic American painting and consider how some of its unsettling elements—clashing colors, lack of depth, and no diner door!—are key to its abiding appeal.

Edward Hopper, Night Hawks, 1942

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--hoDMroROw&t=142

On this episode of Art Institute Essentials Tour, take a closer look at Nighthawks, painted by Edward Hopper in 1942.Inspired by “a restaurant on New York’s ...

06/11/2021

FLAG DAY
Today, June 14, is Flag Day. Benny Andrews painted this image of a Black man wrapped in the American flag in 1966 during the Civil Rights era. Titled "Flag Day," this powerful image poses numerous questions, both relevant to the time it was made and resonant in American society today: What ideals are represented by the American flag? Do you think all people have equal access to those rights? Why? What do you think is happening in this image? What do you think this artist was trying to express or communicate? Why?

How can you use your voice and creativity to activate change?

Learn more about Benny Andrews: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/154124/flag-day

Learn more about Art + Activism: https://www.artic.edu/highlights/28/art-activism

FLAG DAY
Today, June 14, is Flag Day. Benny Andrews painted this image of a Black man wrapped in the American flag in 1966 during the Civil Rights era. Titled "Flag Day," this powerful image poses numerous questions, both relevant to the time it was made and resonant in American society today: What ideals are represented by the American flag? Do you think all people have equal access to those rights? Why? What do you think is happening in this image? What do you think this artist was trying to express or communicate? Why?

How can you use your voice and creativity to activate change?

Learn more about Benny Andrews: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/154124/flag-day

Learn more about Art + Activism: https://www.artic.edu/highlights/28/art-activism

06/04/2021

CHARACTER MAPPING
Use clues from works of art and your imagination to make inferences about the lives of the people portrayed. We’ve suggested Archibald Motley’s 1943 work Night Life for this activity but it can be done with any work of art that includes figures.

Use the Character Map resource below to get started. Explore: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/86-student-activity-character-map

Learn more about the work of Archibald Motley: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/117266/nightlife

CHARACTER MAPPING
Use clues from works of art and your imagination to make inferences about the lives of the people portrayed. We’ve suggested Archibald Motley’s 1943 work Night Life for this activity but it can be done with any work of art that includes figures.

Use the Character Map resource below to get started. Explore: https://www.artic.edu/collection/resources/educator-resources/86-student-activity-character-map

Learn more about the work of Archibald Motley: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/117266/nightlife

06/01/2021

INSPIRING VIEWS: THE HARTWELL MEMORIAL WINDOW

What view or place inspires you? What are the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that you associate with that place?

More than 100 years ago, Agnes F. Northrop designed this window for Tiffany Studios as a commission from Mary Hartwell in honor of her husband, Frederick Hartwell, for the Central Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island (now Community Church of Providence). Standing over 25 feet high by 18 feet wide, the window depicts lush natural scenery and a distant view of Mount Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

It remained housed in the sanctuary of the church until 2018, when the congregation decided to relocate the window to the Art Institute of Chicago, where it could be conserved to ensure its long-term stability. The window is now on view in the museum’s grand staircase.

Learn more about the Hartwell Memorial Window (1917): https://www.artic.edu/artworks/243516/hartwell-memorial-window

INSPIRING VIEWS: THE HARTWELL MEMORIAL WINDOW

What view or place inspires you? What are the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that you associate with that place?

More than 100 years ago, Agnes F. Northrop designed this window for Tiffany Studios as a commission from Mary Hartwell in honor of her husband, Frederick Hartwell, for the Central Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island (now Community Church of Providence). Standing over 25 feet high by 18 feet wide, the window depicts lush natural scenery and a distant view of Mount Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

It remained housed in the sanctuary of the church until 2018, when the congregation decided to relocate the window to the Art Institute of Chicago, where it could be conserved to ensure its long-term stability. The window is now on view in the museum’s grand staircase.

Learn more about the Hartwell Memorial Window (1917): https://www.artic.edu/artworks/243516/hartwell-memorial-window