School Studio
Fridays 10 AM–2 PM
Grades 3–12
Bring Your Classroom to the Hirshhorn Art School
Teachers: Looking for a one-of-a-kind school outing to engage your class in the topics of our times and unleash student creativity? Look no further than the Hirshhorn’s Friday Art School Studio! School groups can expect a 90-minute session exploring modern and contemporary art through interactive hands-on activities that align with cross-disciplinary national standards. Sign up for School Studio here.
What classrooms can expect
90-minute in-studio learning experience
Teachers can sign up their classroom (up to 30 students) for one 90-minute time slot. The session is split into two parts: a 45-minute in-gallery tour, followed by 45 minutes of related artmaking in the Hirshhorn Art School. Two options are available: 10–11:30 AM and 12:30–2 PM.
Dynamic themes: School Studio takes place in the Hirshhorn Art School, on the Museum’s Lower Level. Teachers can select one of three topics for their School Studio visit:
- Explore Architecture: My Monuments
- Basquiat × Banksy: Riff-Off
- OSGEMEOS: Whimsical Worlds
- 3D Storytelling: A World in a Box
- Contemporary Canvas
Each topic introduces contemporary artists and artworks through a dynamic theme, gives students hands-on opportunities to explore a range of art-making techniques, and invites discussion and debate on the topics of our times.
Explore Architecture: My Monuments
Recommended for elementary students
It’s no secret that Washington, DC, is a city full of monuments and important buildings. In this architecture-themed studio session, students will draft and create monuments to themselves and their loved ones within their own cityscape. This session can be facilitated in connection with the DCPS-Arts Enchanted City Cornerstone unit or as a stand-alone session for any group interested in exploring architecture.
This studio covers architectural design, city design, spatial reasoning, and urban planning.
Basquiat × Banksy: Riff-Off
Recommended for high school students.
Jean-Michel Basquiat was a visionary of his time who used street art to inspire positive change with social justice. The street artist Banksy then transformed a work by Basquiat– an artist who influenced his own practice– to amplify his message even further. Both of these original artworks are shown together for the first time to inspire conversation about current social issues and how art can enact those changes. In this session, students will create collaborative artworks inspired by the art and imaginations of both Basquiat and Banksy.
This studio covers social justice, public art, and collaborative artmaking.
OSGEMEOS: Whimsical Worlds
Recommended for middle to high school students.
OSGEMEOS are a pair of twin artists from Brazil. The exhibit OSGEMEOS: Endless Story spotlights the artists’ playful combination of universal themes with magical elements drawn from their heritage, urban art and graffiti traditions, and shared imagination. In this session, students will create a large-scale collaborative artwork inspired by OSGEMEOS’s magical world, Tritrez.
This studio covers public art, collaborative artmaking, color, and composition.
3D Storytelling: A World in a Box
Recommended for grades 4–8 (priority booking for DC Public Schools)
Art does not always have to be paint on a canvas or words on a page! Instead of writing or drawing his stories, artist Joseph Cornell brought them to life in his unique handmade assemblage boxes. In this session, students will transform an ordinary box into an extraordinary miniature world using everyday objects. What stories will they tell?
This studio covers 3D assemblages, collaging, and interactive storytelling.
Contemporary Canvas
Recommended for middle to high school students
What does it mean to be “modern”? In this workshop, we’ll explore three forward-thinking artists and how their methods are revolutions in their own right. We’ll transform ordinary rocks into vibrant Picasso faces, create a bouquet of cardboard Futurist Flowers, and sound off with meaningful messages inspired by the Hirshhorn’s new exhibit OSGEMEOS: Endless Story.
This studio covers Cubism, 3D art-making, geometric reasoning, and graphic design.
What to bring
- Comfortable clothing and shoes: This program takes place in an active studio space. Students should wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting messy.
- Minimal baggage: Due to limited storage in the Museum and time required for security bag checks, we strongly encourage students to leave backpacks at school. Classes bringing lunch should place all meals in one to two bags for an adult chaperone to carry.
Extending your visit for lunch and exhibition viewing
Teachers may request to add a 20-minute lunchtime in the Art School space (lunch not provided). Weather permitting, classes may also eat lunch on our outdoor Plaza. Teachers may also opt to self-guide with students in Museum galleries for 30–60 minutes to view the program’s featured artworks.
Standards-Aligned Arts Experiences
School Studio aligns to the following National Core Arts Anchor Standards:
Anchor Standard #1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard #3. Refine and complete artistic work.
Anchor Standard #6. Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Anchor Standard #7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Anchor Standard #8. Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Anchor Standard #9. Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Anchor Standard #10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Anchor Standard #11. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.
Before your visit
Prepare students for your visit with these kid-friendly artist bios featuring artists in School Studio.
After your visit
registration
