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An older white woman shows two black teenagers a map while standing in front of a blue painting.

LEARN | FOR EDUCATORS

The Gibbes recognizes teachers as valuable partners in the field of education.

To support them, we offer a range of programs and resources to help teachers forge their own personal connection with the arts while creating an interdisciplinary perspective for their students.

In compliance with current CDC guidelines and regulations, the Gibbes is offering limited PreK-12 tours at reduced capacity. To check availability, or to schedule a tour for your small group, please contact Chase Quinn, Curator of Education and Programs.

VIRTUAL LEARNING

Virtual Lesson Plans

The Gibbes Museum of Art is committed to providing quality educational experiences with an interdisciplinary approach inspired by works in the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, even when students are unable to visit the Museum. We have a suite of virtual lesson plans, designed for grades 3-5 (with extensions for middle school) that infuse creative writing, artmaking, problem solving, and more into fun activities.

Production and distribution of these lessons is made possible by the generous support of the Gibbes Women’s Council, the Mark Elliott Motley Foundation, the Post and Courier Foundation, South Carolina Ports Authority, and Volvo.

View our Lesson Plans Introduction and Outline (PDF). Please complete the survey included in the introduction. Contact our Virtual Learning team if you have any additional questions or issues accessing the suite of virtual learning plans.

VIRTUAL LESSON PLANS

Professional Development for Educators

We are excited to offer a new series of virtual professional development sessions for K-12 educators with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. From Social Justice and the Arts to Creative Writing, these sessions will give educators tools to leverage the arts in innovative ways. You can access an archive of past sessions on our Vimeo channel.

Free access to these programs is made possible by the generous support of the following organizations: The South Carolina Arts Commission, The Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation, The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation, The Post and Courier Foundation, Volvo, and the Gibbes Women's Council.

UPCOMING SESSIONS

AT THE MUSEUM

PreK-12 Group Tours

In compliance with current CDC guidelines and regulations, the Gibbes is offering limited PreK-12 tours at reduced capacity. We’re committed to enhancing school curricula through the arts. Our specialized tours for PreK-12 students address key themes and ideas found in our permanent collection and special exhibitions. These interactive, hands-on programs encourage critical thinking and visual literacy skills while addressing South Carolina Learning Standards. All Title I Tri-County schools are eligible for free admission and are invited to apply for transportation funding through our Art Access program.

LEARN MORE

Pre-Visit Materials

Prepare your class for your next visit to the Gibbes Museum of Art with materials designed for PreK-12 educators and students. Search our online collection database or visit HandheldArt.org for ideas. Use the Gibbes collection as a tool for learning, to foster in-class discussions and interdisciplinary activities that explore science, history, and language while encouraging critical thinking and visual literacy.

Teacher Workshops

The Gibbes’ professional development workshops for PreK-12 educators are a great opportunity for teachers in all disciplines to explore current exhibitions; design interdisciplinary curricula in collaboration with their peers; meet artists, scholars, and writers; and develop an individual relationship with the arts. Everyone who attends walks away with strategies and materials they can use in the classroom. For more information please contact the Education Department at 843.722.2706 x237 or email [email protected].

Educator Passes

Educators planning a class visit to the Gibbes are encouraged to visit in advance to preview exhibitions using our FREE Educator Passes. To obtain passes, please call the Education Department at 843.722.2706 x237 or email [email protected].

Want to Join our Team of Museum Educators?

Due to COVID-19 we are currently unable to accept any new Museum Educators. We hope to be accepting new applications soon. The Gibbes Museum of Art is seeking engaging individuals with a passion for education and the arts. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage applicants of all backgrounds. Working with the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, Museum Educators make critical connections between the works of art and SC curriculum standards for K–12 visitors. Download information on the roles and responsibilities of Museum Educators (PDF). For more information, please contact [email protected].

IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Create-A-Map

Create-A-Map is our portable map-making kit with everything your students need to create a 9x12ft three-dimensional map of South Carolina on the classroom floor. Especially suited for grades 3 – 8, this interactive experience combines geography, social studies, history, art, mapping skills, and teamwork. Read more about the Create-A-Map on the museum blog.

To reserve this hands-on teaching tool for your classroom, please download the Create-A-Map registration form (PDF) and email your completed form to [email protected] or call 843.772.2706 x237. Teachers at Title I Schools may qualify for waived rental fees.

Gibbes Art to Go

Art to Go sends teaching artists into Title I schools for the fall semester to create unique works of art inspired by works on view at the Gibbes. At the end of the semester, student artwork is displayed at the Gibbes for a mini-exhibition. To learn more about this program, or to join our list of participating schools, contact [email protected] or call 843.722.2706 x237.

Eye Spy

Museum educators with Eye Spy work with area elementary school students to enhance their understanding of art history through visual and cultural literacy lessons. Students learn how to look at and talk about art. The program culminates with a guided tour of the Gibbes Museum. To learn more about this program, or to join our list of participating schools, contact [email protected] or call 843-722-2706 x237.

Eye Opener

Eye Opener connects trained museum educators with Engaging Creative Minds students and teachers. Together, the teachers and museum educators develop a plan to implement their learning vision through Eye Opener projects. Using the visual arts, music, and literature, they expand the learning process in the classroom. Download a list of sample collaborative projects. To learn more, contact Engaging Creative Minds.

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It Starts with a Dot

It Starts with a Dot began in 2017 as a collaborative program between the College of Charleston and the Gibbes Museum of Art, working with students at St. John’s High School on Johns Island. Graduate MFA students in creative writing work with high school students over the course of the school year to develop creating writing techniques inspired by works in the Gibbes permanent collection. Each year, the program culminates with a published volume of original poetry and artwork. Read the 2020 collection.

In 2019, we expanded the program to include shorter workshops with Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker at three Lowcountry Title I high schools. Students engage with temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection during these workshops and create ekphrastic poetry inspired by works on view. To learn more about this program, or to join our list of participating schools, contact [email protected] or call 843-722-2706 x237.