Kids As Curators Overview

Kids As Curators • February 8, 2008 - March 29, 2008 • Annex Gallery

Each year the Erie Art Museum forges a unique partnership with local schools culminating in an exhibit curated by, designed by, and featuring the collections of middle school students.

"The idea for the project came from two simple facts," states Kelly Armor, the Museum's Education Director. "A museum is basically a place that presents interesting stuff in an educational context. Middle school students are voracious collectors. Most of us know a twelve-year old whose bedroom is a stockpile of American cultural artifacts. If we can get them to think about their stuff from an intellectual perspective, we can spark a lifelong interest in learning and museum-going!"

This school year art, social studies, science, and language arts teachers from Perseus House, Maritime Charter School and Columbus School in Corry, are working intensively with 5th through 8th grade students on how to apply the museum process—selecting, evaluating, interpreting and presenting objects in exhibitions—to engage students in the basic concepts of their curriculum. With support from museum staff, each school is creating a mini exhibit. After initial display at each school, all exhibits will be mounted at the Museum February - March 2008 for the public to enjoy. Past Kids as Curators exhibits featured clocks, clothing, toys, tools, photography and other pre-teen relics. exhibits will be mounted at the Museum for the public to enjoy. Past Kids as Curators exhibits featured clocks, clothing, toys, tools, photography and other pre-teen relics.

What Partner Schools Receive
• In-depth training and materials on how to use any museum exhibit as a teaching tool
• Act 48 Credit for teacher training
• Museum staff support for duration of project
• Admission to the museum
• A chance for your students to create an exhibit that is featured in the Art Museum
• Hands-on learning that supports the curriculum
• Great publicity for your school

What Partner Schools Provide
• 2 – 5 teachers who work with the same students
• Approximately 25 - 100 participating students
• Four days release time for participating teachers to attend training and planning sessions
• Bus transportation for participating students to visit museum twice, once in the fall & once in the spring

Students' comments: "Wow, kids did this?!?" "At first I didn't think it would be good, but with it all together there it was awesome." "Holy Cow!" "It was awesome, because it is not everyday that you get to see your stuff in a museum."

Teacher comments: " I feel that real learning took place." "I now teach art in a completely different way." "I've enjoyed this project because it certainly got my students thinking beyond textbook and workbook assignments. They really responded to the hands-on approach across the curriculum."

This program is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency
For more information or to get involved contact Kelly Armor,
Erie Art Museum, 814-459-5477