About Whitney Education

Art as Experience

A touchstone for the development of Whitney Education is the American philosopher and educator John Dewey (1859–1952) and his classic 1934 text Art as Experience.

According to Dewey, aesthetic experiences present us with unique opportunities to integrate perception and knowledge in profound and lasting ways. Our programming encourages visitors to slow down, look closely, and engage directly with works of art.

At the Whitney, we approach museum education as an experimental process in which art helps us to better understand the world around us and inspires creative thinking far beyond the Museum’s walls. 

Whitney Education

The Education Department strives to make the Whitney a dynamic platform for audiences to experience art as integral to their own lives and the world around us. Whitney educators work in multifaceted ways as facilitators, translators, advocates, and producers as well as teachers. We are committed to an approach that privileges research, responsiveness, and reflection. As educators, we create opportunities for visitors with different needs, experiences, and interests to make meaningful connections with art. We challenge ourselves and our audiences to think creatively, embrace new ideas, and consider American art and culture in all its complexity.