K–12 Teacher Resources
K–12 Arts Integration Collection Package
Developed by educators at the Smart Museum of Art, this K–12 collection package supports arts integration and interdisciplinary learning in the K–12 classroom. Through both in-person visits to the Museum and online experiences with the Smart’s permanent collection, classroom teachers can activate art from across histories, cultures, and mediums.
The selected works highlight a variety of artists, themes, and mediums that can connect across disciplines such as history, literature, and science, opening creative pathways for students to activate multiple modes of learning.
This online resource provides foundational object information for teachers and encourages further research on specific artists and artworks to deepen connections to curricular goals.
An online experience with the Smart’s permanent collection for classroom teachers.
IMAGE: Gertrude Abercrombie, Doors (3 Demolition), 1957, Oil on canvas. Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago, Gift of the Gertrude Abercrombie Trust, 1979.14 © Artist Estate
K–12 Educators Guidebook
Developed by educators at the Smart Museum of Art, the Learning Through Art guidebook aims to support arts integration and interdisciplinary learning in the K–12 classroom. It highlights strategies in viewing, inquiry, and participation that can be applied to student activities or assignments. Through in-person visits to the Museum and online experiences with the Smart’s permanent collection, classroom teachers can activate art from across histories, cultures, and mediums.
Stop by the Smart to pick up a free copy of the guidebook, or view the online version below.
This guidebook is supported by
K–12 Professional Development Workshops
The Smart offers a limited number of K–12 professional development workshops annually. Designed for educators interested in expanding their teaching practice, this 1-day workshop will explore how arts integration can deepen student learning and class engagement.
Participants will take part in creative activities that support successful lesson planning, enjoy a guided tour of the Smart’s current exhibitions, gain strategies for connecting art experiences with classroom curriculum, and participate in specialized close-looking exercises with objects from the Smart’s permanent collection.
Interested schools should contact Jillian Huttel, Museum Educator for K–12 and Family Programs, to discuss workshop opportunities.