The Art Gallery of Alberta’s School Programs build bridges between viewers and artwork, strengthening the connection of art to life
Through interactive explorations of exhibitions, an array of studio opportunities and dynamic full-day programs, AGA School Programs relate artwork to students in an engaging and meaningful way.
School programs will be held at the new Singhmar Centre for Art Education.
- Download the AGA School Programs brochure (PDF 1.8MB)
- Download the AGA Teacher Welcome Package (PDF 72KB)
AGA and 21st Century Learning
School Programs at the AGA not only provide unique art encounters for students, but also contribute to strengthening 21st Century Learning skills such as critical thinking, problem identification and solving, and innovation.
Three types of programs to choose from:
Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers
The AGA offers exciting and innovative Professional Development Opportunities for teachers throughout the year. Visit youraga.ca for upcoming events and opportunities.
Gallery Visits
- 90 Minute Interactive Gallery Exploration
- Offered daily (Monday to Friday) from 9:30-11:00 and 12:30-2:00
- Class up to 20 students: $120.00
- Class up to 30 students: $160.00
Gallery Visits offer a unique in-depth experience in our exhibitions and feature a hands-on project related to your Study Connection of choice (Art, Language Arts, Social Studies, French). You are the creator of your Gallery Visit with the option of a grade level and a choice of activities related to different areas of Alberta Education’s Programs of Study.
Creating your program is easy:
- Choose a theme
- Choose a grade level
- Choose an activity
- Add a studio for a full day experience!
| Themes | Exhibition Connections | Grade Levels | Study Connections | We Also Recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning to Look | Explore the current exhibitions EDGAR DEGAS: Figures in Motion, Karsh: Image Maker & Storm Room by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller while learning to look and talk about art. Practice close looking and engage with art through all of the senses in this interactive gallery-wide exploration! | K-12 | Art: See & Sketch Activities LA: Descriptive Analysis & Writing Activities SS: Investigating Worldview |
|
| Artist as Storyteller | Investigate current exhibitions EDGAR DEGAS: Figures in Motion, Karsh:Image Maker & Storm Room by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller through storytelling, text comparisons and character development activities. Use your imagination to create and tell stories using original artworks as inspiration! | K-12 | Art: Flip-book Illustration LA: Short Story Writing SS: Creative Diary Entry |
Soundscapes |
| Meet the Artist: Edgar Degas | Discover the life and work of Edgar Degas with an interactive visit through the exhibition EDGAR DEGAS: Figures in Motion. Examine Degas' drawings, paintings and sculptures with this in-depth gallery exploration. | K-6 | Art: Drawing the Figure LA: Poetic Creations SS: Sign of the Times Activity |
Sculpting with Degas |
| Media Watch: Karsh and Cameras | Explore the exhibition Karsh: Image Maker and the world of dramatic photography with this gallery visit that focuses on photographic processes. Learn what makes a great photo and how photographs tell stories visually with this exploratory gallery visit. | 4-12 | Art & Design: Composition and Photography Exercises LA: Interview with a Portrait |
Lights, Camera, FREEZE! |
| Shifting Perspectives | Examine shifting perspectives in art with this exploration of Francisco Goya: Disasters of War and Los Caprichos and the sound installation Murder of Crows. Discover the connection between Goya's historical art prints and Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller's contemporary sound installation Murder of Crows. | 10-12 | Art: Drawing Sound LA: Descriptive writing activities SS: Political Cartoon Analysis |
Goya Print Matters |
| Salut Degas! | Découvrez le monde d’Edgar Degas! Choisissez parmi trois niveaux de français pour cette exploration interactive. Dans un climat favorisant la discussion et le questionnement, la visite se veut un moment de découverte et d’apprentissage de l’art et de la vie de Degas. | 1-12 | Niveau 1: Les Débutants Niveau 2: Les Apprenants Intermédiaire Niveau 3: Les Apprenants Avancé |
Click here to request a School Program Booking, or view the School Programs FAQ.
Studio Visits
- 2 Hour Studio Project
- Offered daily (Monday to Friday) from 9:30-11:30 and 12:00-2:00
- Class up to 30 students: $180.00
Studio Visits allow students to connect with current exhibitions through art-making and problem solving activities. Each program includes an art encounter with current exhibitions before students work with professional artists and art educators to create their own artwork. Studio experiences encourage individual and group planning, problem identification and critical inquiry, collaboration and reflection, and a focus on the process of different art making practices.
Studio Projects
Soundscapes
Available for Grades 1-12
Visit the audio installation Storm Room by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller to discover a contemporary sound installation. In the studio, work with different sounds and music to create large scale group murals. Explore the connection between painting, sound, and movement while working and responding to others with this fun painting studio.
Sculpting with Degas
Available for Grades 3-12
Visit the exhibition EDGAR DEGAS: Figures in Motion to discover Degas’ sculpting process. Work with an armature and different sculpting materials to sculpt your own figure in motion. Use mixed media to finish the sculpture just like Degas!
Printed Issue
Available for Grades 7-12
Examine the work of Francisco Goya before creating a relief print in this printmaking studio. Create a social or political statement that is personally relevant while exploring composition, positive and negative space and contrast. Print multiples in order to get your message out!
Audio Installations
Available for Grades 3-12
Visit the contemporary sound installations Storm Room and Murder of Crows (Grade 10-12) to discover how contemporary artists use sound to create narrative in their artwork. In the studio, work in small groups to build instruments in order to create sounds inspired by imagery. Combine sounds and record to make your own sound installation.
Lights, Camera, FREEZE
Available for Grades 3-12
Explore the works of Yousuf Karsh in the exhibition Karsh: Image Maker and examine the connection between theatre and photography. In the studio, warm up with some theatre exercises before working in pairs to recreate a character or scene inspired by a written text. Use lighting, composition, and costumes to create a tableau vivant and photograph the creation.
Click here to request a School Program Booking, or view the School Programs FAQ.
Full Day Experience
Extend your experience at the AGA by combining a Gallery Visit with a Studio Visit! Add a studio to any of the Gallery Visits for a dynamic full-day learning opportunity. Students will have the opportunity to connect with current exhibitions through close looking in the gallery and then exercise their creativity in the studio. Create your own combination or choose from our recommended combinations for your day at the AGA!
Class up to 30 students: $320.00
A typical Full-Day Experience includes:
9:30-11:00 Gallery Visit
11:00- 12:00 Use of the Lunch Facilities including an Art Video Showing
12:00-2:00 Studio Visit
Click here to request a School Program Booking, or view the School Programs FAQ.
Book your program today!
- Choose school program and a study connection
- Go to youraga.ca
- Use the online form to register and indicate three preferred dates for your program.
- A booking confirmation will be sent to you via email
For more information contact the AGA Education Programs Manager at jessie.beier@youraga.ca
