The Gallery Experience

Tips for a Successful Visit to an Art Exhibit

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Speak with your child about art before you visit an art exhibit. It can be as easy as:

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Talking about the artwork in your home and asking
      • Would you like to know the family history of thatquilt? (painting? piece of pottery?)
      • Reading picture books with your child and asking
      • How are the pictures helping to tell the story?
      • What materials did the illustrator use?

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Being interested in the artwork your child does at school and asking
      • Can you tell me about the artwork you are doing in school?
      • Can you bring some of your artwork home?
      • What materials did you use?
      • What decisions did you make in creating it?

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Walking in the neighborhood and asking
      • What decorations do you see on the building?
      • Where do you find patterns and textures?

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Riding in the car and asking
      • What artwork can you find along the drive?
      • What artwork do you see as we walk through town?
      • Why do you think the artwork was put here?

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When you are in an art museum:
    • Let your child decide what he or she would like to look at.
    • Look at the artwork first, not the label.

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Gently guide your child by asking:
    • Why did you stop here?
    • What do you see?
    • Can you tell me more about that?
    • What do you like about this artwork?                 
    • What questions do you have about it?

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Terms you may wish to use:
• Line
• Color
• Contrast
• Texture
• Shape
• Emphasis
• Movement
• Pattern

 

Let your child determine when it is time to move on to another artwork.

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Always keep in mind:

It is more important for your child to look at and talk about the artwork than to be told what he or she is seeing.
It is better to plan several short trips than to plan an en- tire morning or afternoon in an art museum.
The trip should be a positive experience that encourages your child to want to visit the art museum again and again.