Education

K-12

The Spencer provides a variety of educational opportunities for K-12 students and teachers to engage with art. Teachers can participate in interdisciplinary workshops co-sponsored by university departments, utilize our online resources, schedule a tour online, or check out art objects from our Classroom Collection.

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  Classroom Collection

  The Spencer’s Classroom Collection contains 29 works of art in various media including photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, printmaking, and ceramics. The collection is available to all area art teachers to check out and display in their classrooms.

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  The Gilded Age

  This resource begins with a brief overview of the Gilded Age and several key points of Gilded Age art. Then for each of six works of art from the Spencer's permanent collection there is a brief description of the artist and work as well as visual and cultural/historical discussion starters.

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  Narrative Devices in Art

  This instructional resource introduces upper-elementary and middle school students to narrative devices (methods or formats that artists use to tell stories). Discussion questions also encourage students to consider how artists manipulate elements such as time and space to enhance their narratives.

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  Tour Information

  The Museum’s trained volunteer docents conduct guided tours which last approximately one hour and are free of charge, though donations are accepted. We encourage discussion between the docent and museum visitors.