Activities
These activities focus on works of art in the Whitney’s collection and special exhibitions. Through discussion, research, art making, and writing activities, we hope to encourage close looking, foster conversation between students, and connect artwork to classroom learning. Learn about our four artist-centered themes.
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2017
Drone’s Eye View
Discuss the Anarchist project and the Fourth Amendment -
Post-9/11 America
Research and discuss safety and freedom -
O’ Say Can You See
View and discuss Laura Poitras's film -
Under Surveillance
Discuss surveillance -
Abstraction
Make a drawing of a journey -
The Circus
Make wire sculptures -
Inspirational Architecture
Study a building or architectural structure -
Early Sunday Morning
Write a poem about a favorite place at a specific time -
The Artist and His Mother
Draw or write a description of a person from memory -
Dempsey and Firpo
Depict an exciting moment of an event -
See the Music
Make an abstract composition that visualizes music -
Shape the Composition
Make a shaped composition -
Picture the Story
Create an abstract artwork based on a book -
Abstract Surroundings
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Optical Illusion
Experiment with composition and pictorial space -
What is a painting?
Discuss what a painting might be -
Race Relations in America
Artist as Critic -
Street Scenes and Sounds
Artist as Observer -
Digital Transitions
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Migration
Artist as Storyteller -
Portraits
Artist as Observer -
Identity Politics
Explore identity politics through creative writing -
Challenging Media Stereotypes
Combine found words and images to challenge stereotypes -
What is American? (continued)
Explore what it means to be American -
What is American?
Explore what it means to be American -
Multiple Materials
Create a relief work with art materials and found objects -
Representing the Figure
Make a flashlight figure mural -
Edward Hopper, Early Sunday Morning
Imagine the street when everyone wakes up -
Try This!
Experiment with objects and mirrors -
Joseph Stella, The Brooklyn Bridge
Draw multiple views
127 pages