How does art reflect culture? What impact do humans have on the environment? How does geography influence our lives? These are just a few of the provocative questions that inspired the art on view, created by students participating in Learning Through Art (LTA). This artist residency program of the Guggenheim Museum, now in its 37th year, engages New York City public elementary school students in the process of investigating, looking at, and making art. Teaching artists and classroom teachers work together to develop projects that explore diverse subject areas, introduce art skills and techniques, and allow students to express their ideas in meaningful ways. LTA residencies are rooted in questioning: questions about the world and contemporary culture, questions about art materials and what they can do, and questions about works of art.
This exhibition, which features a selection of the artworks created this academic year, is organized according to five themes—Investigating Cultures, Humans and the Environment, Making a Difference, Voices from History, and Transforming Communities. The projects in each section explore questions related to the theme and were created using a wide range of techniques and materials. In each area, one highlighted project includes a display showing the complex process students engaged in throughout the residency to create this art.
This exhibition is made possible in part by Gail May Engelberg and The Engelberg Foundation, as well as the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation. Additional support is provided by Con Edison. The Leadership Committee for A Year with Children 2007 is gratefully acknowledged.
Educational activities are made possible by The Edith and Frances Mulhall Achilles Memorial Fund, The Engelberg Foundation, William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Mortimer D. Sackler Family, The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, Esther Simon Charitable Trust, and the museum’s Education Committee.
The Learning Through Art program is supported by Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Inc.,
Citigroup Foundation, Sidney E. Frank Foundation, Gap Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The Janus Foundation, public funds from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, The New York Times Company Foundation, Generoso Pope Foundation, Beatrice Snyder Foundation, Marti Stevens, The United States Department of Education, and Arthur Zimtbaum Foundation.
Learning Through Art was founded in 1970 by Natalie K. Lieberman in response to the elimination of art and music programs in New York City public schools. Over the past 37 years, Learning Through Art has served more than 141,000 children and their families, primarily in New York City public schools.
Study for Green Dreams, PS 8, Brooklyn, 3rd grade. Teaching artist: Jennifer Bevill. Photo: Kristopher McKay
Altered Map of China, PS 148, Queens, 3rd grade. Teaching artist: Anette Jacque. Photo: Kristopher McKay