The Education Department at the Saginaw Art
Museum prides itself on providing opportunities for aesthetic
experiences by presenting objects and ideas in informative and
stimulating ways. Through programming, the museum can support,
reinforce, and enrich its curatorial objectives. The Education
Department not only uses the museum’s permanent collection as an
instrument for teaching, but also utilizes its special exhibits as a
tool to promote study, observation, critical thinking,
contemplation, and dialogue.
Would you like to be added to the education mailing list? If so, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org with your name, address, and phone number, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
LECTURE SERIES
Through lectures, Museum staff and other
professionals share information related to current exhibits or other
topis with adult audiences. Lectures and demonstrations are
intended to be informative and fun. Lectures are typically
free with Museum admission.
Lunch and Lecture
On the last Friday of the month, guests can bring their lunches to
the Museum and eat while learning about exciting art trends,
current exhibits or to meet contemporary artists!
Availability
Last Friday of the month; 12:10 - 12:50 pm
ART GOES
TO SCHOOL
In this award-winning program, students learn about art, history, art production, and art analysis. Students’ involvement includes active participation and lively discussion of artworks as well as exploration and understanding of the world’s rich cultural past.
This art history and art appreciation program has six major goals:
- to introduce Western art history
- to define & use art and art history vocabulary
- to introduce Ethnographic art history
- to highlight major artists
- to enhance critical analysis skills to build self-esteem
The Education staff at the Museum trains the
Volunteer Docents with art history knowledge and discussion
techniques. Volunteers go to schools within the surrounding counties
and present slide units. The Museum provides slide units, follow-up
art-related Activity Sheets, and provides each classroom teacher
with the AGTS Teacher’s Packet to ensure that the students enjoy
all the benefits of these goals.
Program cost:
$4.25 per student annually
For the program and registration information, please contact:
kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org, or call the Museum during regular business
hours.
TOUR PROGRAM
The museum trains volunteer Docents to conduct tours of the exhibits, historic house, and formal gardens to groups of students and adults.
Student Tours
The museum provides tours for Preschool through High School groups. The content of tours varies depending on grade level and teacher preference. Topics include compositions, similarities and differences, techniques and materials, interpretation and communication skills, and developing opinions.
A trip to Visionarea may also be included in school tours. Please indicate interest when scheduling.
Museum Survey K-12th
This tour encompasses as much of the Museum as time allows. Generally,
students may view the exhibits in the Sargent Exhibition Wing,
permanent collection galleries, Visionarea, and Ring home and
gardens.
Light & Color K-8th
Suggested for younger students and/or students who would benefit
from basic visual art concepts.
This tour focuses on the interplay of light and shadow,
and on color combinations, hues, and saturation. These concepts
will be discovered through select two-dimensional pieces from
our permanent collection.
Home & History 4th- 6th
The Ring mansion itself is a historical and architectural work of art. Built in 1904 for the Clark Lombard Ring family, this centerpiece of the Museum’s structure was designed by Charles Adams Platt. C.L. Ring was a lumber baron and lover of the arts, whose legacy includes several firsts in Saginaw’s history. Weather permitting; this tour includes time in the Museum’s historical gardens.
Abstract & Non-Objective 7th- 12th
Suggested for older students, as abstract analysis may be difficult for younger thinkers.
Students on this tour may expect to view abstract and non-objective pieces from our permanent collection. Works by artists such as Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein are highlighted.
Portraiture K-12th
Using two-dimensional and sculptural portraits from the Museum’s permanent collection, students will discover how to analyze and read visual cues. While younger students study “how” to look at art, older students take a more in-depth look at culture and history as told in visual characterization.
Landscape/ Cityscape K-12th
Students of all ages will discover the imagery and techniques artists use to create scenes. Students will be asked to examine the similarities and differences between the images they see and everyday life. They will also make discoveries about community and culture and how the images relate to today’s experiences.
Program cost:
Free
Availability:
Tuesday-Friday, during school year;
10:00 am-4:00 pm
To schedule a tour, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org at least four weeks in advance, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
Adult Tours
Docent led tours for adult groups include an introduction to the history of the Saginaw Art Museum as well as discussion on the permanent collection and special exhibits.
Program cost:
Museum admission
Availability:
Regular Museum hours
To schedule a tour, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org at least four weeks in advance, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
History Tour
The museum understands the constant effort of educating youth. This tour examines and meets the Social Studies and Benchmarks outlined by the State of Michigan.
Perspectives met for the third grade Social Studies Standards and Benchmarks:
- Historic
- Citizen involvement
- Geographic
- Community awareness
- Economic
Program cost:
Free
Availability:
Tuesday-Friday, during school year;
10:00 am-4:00 pm
To schedule a tour, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org at least four weeks in advance, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
Visual Thinking Strategies
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) was developed by veteran museum educator Philip Yenawine and cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen. This unique program fosters development of interpretive skills and critical thinking by allowing children to examine art, to think, to contribute observations and ideas, and to build understandings together. Using art as a tool in education encourages children to participate in meaning making, and art also empowers children.
The Museum’s Curator of Education received extensive training both from Philip Yenawine and the Curator of Education at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A complete VTS experience can be facilitated by the Museum’s Curator of Education. Docents are also trained to employ some VTS techniques in tours when appropriate.
Program cost:
Free
Availability:
Tuesday-Friday, during school year;
10:00 am-4:00 pm
To schedule a tour, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org at least four weeks in advance, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
Become a Docent
Docents are volunteer guides who give tours to Museum visitors of all ages and abilities. Docents are responsible for not only delivering accurate information but also engaging visitors in lively dialogue about art and culture. Docents need no prior experience as extensive training is provided by the Education Department.
Docents receive a multitude of rewards such as exhibit openings, Docent parties, and field trips. Docents also experience the joy of learning about art, culture, and history as they share with visitors.
To become a Docent, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
STUDIO ART CLASSES
Qualified and exceptional instruction in art takes place throughout the year at the Saginaw Art Museum. Classes are often interdisciplinary in order to extend learning.
STUDIO SAM
Studio SAM is an open studio environment offered for artists, students, and dabblers who wish to develop their skills in a group setting without the benefit of formal instruction. The schedule offers figure drawing sessions with a nude model, critiques, media demonstrations, and programs on artistic development. Studio space may be limited, so registration is required.
Studio SAM is open to participants 16 years and older.
CHILDREN’S
ARTS FESTIVAL
The annual Children’s Arts Festival provides children with free opportunities in a variety of disciplines such as art production, movement and dance, language arts, theater, music, science, and history. Visitors can also participate in games, raffles, and view the Student Art Exhibit.
Program cost:
Free to children under 16 years; $5.00 for adults
Availability:
Annually the first Sunday in June; 1:00-5:00 pm
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
The Museum’s Artist in Residence program provides audiences with the unique opportunity to meet working artists. Artists exhibit at the Museum, work and lecture at the museum, and also visit area schools.
OUTREACH
The Saginaw Art Museum is committed to reaching all audiences, even those who cannot travel to the Museum. If interested in finding out how the Museum can come to you, please contact kbrown@saginawartmuseum.org, or call the Museum during regular business hours.
VISIONAREA
The Museum's hands-on gallery for children of all
ages, Visionarea, provides a variety of learning experiences
and creative art activities. Visitors to the Museum can participate
in uninstructed play time During our regular Museum hours. Teachers
can also choose to incorporate twenty to thirty minutes in Visionarea
along with their tours. Visionarea is open during regular Museum
hours and is free with Museum Museum admission. The theme is Imagine,
Discover, Create!.
Cost:
Free with Museum admission
Availability:
Regular Museum hours
A trip to Visionarea may be included in school tours.
