The Evans Distance Learning Program
Students visit the galleries virtually with a museum educator for a conversation centered on works of art to enhance their understanding and spark curiosity about topics under study in the classroom. Free of charge and available to 3 - 12 and college classrooms.
How it Works
Scheduling: There is no need to combine class sections or alter your schedule. Because sessions are interactive, we prefer to meet with each of your class sections during their respective class times. The request form will ask for the meeting times of each class section. Most sessions last 45 – 60 minutes. Please make your request at least 3 weeks in advance.
How to Connect: VMFA meets with classrooms via Zoom. A short test call will be scheduled prior to the session(s).
Equipment: Classrooms will need a robust internet connection, projector, computer, web cam, and a microphone.
Session Requests: Browse three different session categories: Investigating Art For Meaning, Historical Thinking with Art, and Seeing with STEM. Each category has three available session topics to choose from. Learn more below.
Investigating Art for Meaning
Useful across the curriculum, Investigating Art for Meaning sessions are designed to help students hone creative, critical, and reflective thinking skills as they engage with and interpret works of art. Emphasis is placed on an interactive experience that is inquiry-based and student-centered. Choose from three options.
Request SessionHistorical Thinking with Art
Ideal for use at the beginning of a unit, Historical Thinking with Art sessions are designed to get students curious about global and historical societies they will explore in the classroom. Emphasis is placed on an interactive experience that is inquiry-based and student-centered, providing the opportunity to sharpen critical and historical thinking skills. Artworks will be chosen in line with classroom curricular goals.
Request SessionSeeing STEM
Seeing STEM sessions are designed to help students use art as a catalyst to practice scientific and mathematical thinking and to recognize the creativity STEM fields have in common with Art. Emphasis is placed on an interactive experience that is inquiry-based and student-centered.
Request SessionFrequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare my students for a session?
- VMFA Distance Learning sessions are designed for discovery! No prep is needed. In fact, we ask that students not be shown the featured artworks in advance.
- A great way to let students know what to expect is to share the introductory video at the top of this page.
What will my students need to participate?
- Students will need no more than a pencil and paper for interactive activities unless otherwise noted. Please ask them to have these items on hand.
- Unless you are teaching an online class, laptops and other devices are not recommended for use during a session.
Can my classroom participate if I teach online?
- Yes! VMFA Distance Learning will come as a visitor to established remote-learning classrooms. Just let us know your classroom meets online when requesting a session.
Are multiple visits during the year allowed?
- Absolutely! We love the opportunity to meet with classrooms more than once.
- Please fill out a session request form for each new visit with your classroom(s).