Pre- and Post-Visit Activities

Let's Go Pennsylvania!

Pre-Visit Activities

• Introduce students to the Allentown Art Museum by describing what it is, where it is located and what it contains. Ask students: What is a museum? Has anyone ever visited the Allentown Art Museum or another museum before? What did you see at the museum?
• Ask students to locate Pennsylvania on a map. Next ask them to locate where they live in Pennsylvania. Place Pennsylvania in context by looking at the other states that surround it, including major cities. What is unique about Pennsylvania? Make a list on the chalk/white board and share it with the Field Docent when she arrives.
• Discuss artists in general with the students. Ask them: Where do artists get their ideas? What inspires them? How did they get started? What materials do artists use? Do you know any artists? What do they make or do? Include musicians, dancers, actors, etc., in the definition of an artist.

Post-Visit Activities

• Who are the artists the students met during the program? Have students research other Pennsylvania artists or artists from other states to compare and contrast their work. Use the Allentown Art Museum's online collection to find additional artists.
• Have students create an artwork that represents where they live. Use the list they generated before the visit to help them recall unique aspects of Pennsylvania, their town or city, and their neighborhood. What will they include in their artwork to help show they are from a particular place?
• Invite a local artist into your classroom to speak and demonstrate his or her art form to the students or plan a multiple day artist residency.
• Schedule a field trip to visit an artist's studio such as The Harry Bertoia Studio in Bally, PA and The Wharton Esherick Museum in Paoli, PA.

More Outreach Programs

THE ART OF STORIES
LET'S GO PENNSYLVANIA!
MOSTLY MODERN: INTRODUCING FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT