Additional School Programs & Resources
How can Wexner Center school programs
benefit my students?
Students can learn about visual arts, performing arts, architecture, film, and much more in these varied, interactive programs. They can also explore fresh perspectives on the mass media, the environment, our increasingly global culture, the nature of individuality, and other challenging and stimulating topics with immediate relevance in their own lives.Our school programs help your students work towards key academic content standards, specifically meeting many K–12 benchmarks in oral, written, and visual communications. Many of our programs encourage the development of higher-order critical-thinking skills and literacy-related comprehension and application skills, while also supporting social studies content and basic math concepts.
Many of these programs are available throughout the school year, so call anytime. We'll collaborate with you to tailor each program to your needs and curriculum. Call the education department's info line at (614) 292-6493 or e-mail edweb@wexarts.org to find out more about or participate in any listed program.
Programs for Grades K-12
Exhibition Tours
Each exhibition presents opportunities to create gallery learning experiences that complement classroom curricula and teachers' needs. All tours are age-appropriate and led by education department staff or docents who specialize in gallery teaching and learning. See our exhibition schedule to see the shows that are currently on view or coming up. Check out the Tours page for more about processes and scheduling.Expanded Classroom: Exhibitions, Films, Performances
Grade-level appropriateness varies by exhibition or eventEach year we create special experiences that gather students for a hands-on or in-depth interaction inspired by or developed in response to current exhibitions, films, or performing arts events at the Wexner Center. Experiences are often artist-led workshops where students explore basic elements in contemporary art including context, concept, and craft.
In 2009-10, Expanded Classroom experiences are available in conjunction with Zoom Film Festival School Screenings (grades K-12) in early December, the school performances of Farfalle (grades P-8) in April, and tours of the exhibitions Hard Targets (on view January 30-April 11) and Mark Bradford: You're Nobody... (on view May 8-August 15).
Please express your interest in an Expanded Classroom program when you contact us to schedule your class for an exhibition tour or attendance at film or performances. Opportunities are limited and subject to availability.
Art Happens: Creative Encounters in the Galleries
For a unique exhibition experience, the Wexner Center features ongoing opportunities for school groups to engage with an artist in the galleries. Professional performing artists, storytellers, and musicians create a work in response to a project or projects on view in the galleries. Ask about the availability of Art Happens programs when you schedule your exhibition tour.Especially for Grades K-8
International Films
Grade-level appropriateness varies by filmMorning and afternoon screening times are available for screenings of films presented in conjunction with our annual Zoomefestival of films for young people, held early in December. See this year's schedule of Zoom Film Festival School Screenings. Some Zoom films will also appeal to high school students.
International Performing Arts
Grade-level appropriateness varies by performanceStudents can see live theater, dance, or music by first-class artists at special performances for school groups of artists and ensembles we are also presenting as public programs for families. Teachers who schedule these programs can receive curriculum resource materials.
In 2009-2010, we present Farfalle, a magical performance from Italy that's perfect for your youngest students and will also interest older ones. School performances fill fast, but students and their families can also attend public performances of the show.
Especially for Grades 9-12
World View: Cultural Intersections
in Contemporary Art
Every thinking mind needs a world view. This program builds on the cross-cultural understandings, perspectives, and influences of many different types of contemporary artists. Each year, the Wexner Center offers an experience with an artist making work within a unique, culturally comprehensive context. Featured artists’ works may be interwoven with cultural, political, social, and economic influences.Pages: An Art & Writing Program
Pages is a new multivisit program that combines visual arts, film/video, and performing arts with projects that encourage writing and literacy. The program offers high school students dynamic and challenging experiences in the arts while providing multiple opportunities for each student to document and respond to those experiences in a variety of writing exercises, from research papers to poetry. In the interdisciplinary learning environment of Pages, students discuss, express, and document in writing their observations, thoughts, and opinions on the diverse contemporary art they encounter at the center.Find out more about this year's Pages program on the Pages blog.
Art & Environment
Grades 11 & 12
"It would take me eons to explain everything I've learned."—Art & Environment studentThis 18-week interdisciplinary course introduces a group of high school students to issues of contemporary artistic practice, self-directed research, and the environment, emphasizing the need for critical, creative thinking in both art and science. The students work with internationally renowned artists and Ohio State professors in the environmental sciences. The course meets once a week during the school day. If you know interested students, please contact us for more information.
The application deadline for the 2010 class is December 1, 2009. Find out more here.
At the end of the school year, the Art & Environment students present an exhibition of their work—and your students can tour the show with a student artist as your guide. (Check out the Tours page for more about processes and scheduling.)
Free for Your School
All Wexner Center school programs are free for student participants and accompanying teachers and chaperones. We also have two special programs to help make your visit to center possible and affordable for your school.
Bus Subsidies
Bus subsidies for travel to any Wexner Center program are available to schools that can demonstrate the need for such assistance. Documentation is required. Click here to download an bus subsidy application.
Substitute Teacher Subsidies
Subsidies for subsititute teachers to cover classes for instructors on field trips to the Wexner Center are also available to schools that can demonstrate the need for such assistance. Documentation is required.
Call (614) 292-6493 or e-mail edweb@wexarts.org for more information.
Bus Subsidies
Bus subsidies for travel to any Wexner Center program are available to schools that can demonstrate the need for such assistance. Documentation is required. Click here to download an bus subsidy application.
Substitute Teacher Subsidies
Subsidies for subsititute teachers to cover classes for instructors on field trips to the Wexner Center are also available to schools that can demonstrate the need for such assistance. Documentation is required.
Call (614) 292-6493 or e-mail edweb@wexarts.org for more information.
Teachers' Comments
"I wish you could have witnessed/experienced the conversation our kids had with the Pages' artist-in-residence. I was pumped just listening. I feel like we are asking the right questions for these kids to grapple with."--David Reese, Metro School
"The Japanese Garden performance (2007) forced us to be in the present moment and anticipate the next with great joy and simplicity. The students and teachers are still talking about it. It was just what we all needed."--Amy Williams, Duxberry Park Alternative Elementary School
"Our WorldView experience was timely and provocative. The students were actively engaged in discussion both before and after the film and reported that they developed awareness of things they were previously uninformed about. This program helps students with intercultural understanding, and they can also consider the role and responsibility of the artist. Very valuable!"--David Fawcett, Columbus Alternative High School
"The Wexner Center gives students many opportunities to expand their creative energies and ideas about art. In the galleries, students can view contemporary art that would not have a venue any where else in the Columbus area. The educational program rivals that of any large metropolitan museum in the United States. Thanks for enhancing my teaching."--Babette Dusang–Jones, Columbus Public Schools
"The Japanese Garden performance (2007) forced us to be in the present moment and anticipate the next with great joy and simplicity. The students and teachers are still talking about it. It was just what we all needed."--Amy Williams, Duxberry Park Alternative Elementary School
"Our WorldView experience was timely and provocative. The students were actively engaged in discussion both before and after the film and reported that they developed awareness of things they were previously uninformed about. This program helps students with intercultural understanding, and they can also consider the role and responsibility of the artist. Very valuable!"--David Fawcett, Columbus Alternative High School
"The Wexner Center gives students many opportunities to expand their creative energies and ideas about art. In the galleries, students can view contemporary art that would not have a venue any where else in the Columbus area. The educational program rivals that of any large metropolitan museum in the United States. Thanks for enhancing my teaching."--Babette Dusang–Jones, Columbus Public Schools
Invite a Wexner Center Educator to Come Speak with your School!
Do you or your school’s faculty and staff want to learn more about our education programs? Members of the Education Department can be available almost any day of the week to come right to your school and deliver a short presentation on our programming and ways your school can be involved in the Wexner Center! Call (614) 292-6493 or email edweb@wexarts.org to arrange a special visit.
CONTACT
Call (614) 292-6493 or e-mail edweb@wexarts.org for more information or to schedule school programs or reserve performance tickets.
SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL AND TEACHER PROGRAMS
MAJOR SEASON SUPPORT
FOR EDUCATION
Battelle
SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL AND
TEACHER PROGRAMS
American Electric Power
Ingram-White Castle Foundation
Puffin Foundation
Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR
THE WEXNER CENTER
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Columbus Foundation
Nationwide Foundation
Ohio Arts Council
