Workshop Programme
Our education workshops take place in the galleries and our learning room, The Studio. They can be booked until the end of the 2008/9 school year. Click on the following headings to skip to the area you are interested in: Early Years, KS1 and KS2, KS3 and 4 and 16+. All Sessions are £2 per pupil.
Please click here for a full programme for the 2009/10 year detailed on our pdf document.
Early Years
Suitable for pre-school to Year One pupils
Pictures Tell Stories
1 hour
The children explore the narrative paintings in the gallery and draw characters from the artworks before listening to a story about the painting Not Sold Yet. Children then engage in role-play activities related to the story followed by having a go at a range of drawing activities in The Studio.
Key Stage One
Telling Stories
1 hour 30 mins
Pupils must use their questioning skills if they are to unravel the stories in our narrative paintings. Following a story they then participate in practical Studio activities, including: drawing, creating different story endings and producing their own acrostic poem.
Heads and Tales
1 hour 30 mins
Pupils investigate our portraits, considering the ‘head’ of the sitter and the ‘tale’ the artist is telling. They learn about pose, expression and setting before exploring these ideas further in a series of practical art activities using a range of materials.
A Sense of Place
1 hour 30 mins
Pupils examine paintings depicting seascape, rural and urban landscapes to identify the ‘tricks’ that artists use to create depth and space. Using sensory boxes to help them imagine what the different places are like, the pupils make a sketch in the gallery which they develop further into a colour drawing in The Studio.
If Buildings Could Speak
1 hour 30 mins
Using old photographs, plans and architectural drawings of York Art Gallery, this session encourages children to examine an historic building and investigate how that building has changed over time. Pupils also consider the design of the building, exploring how shape, pattern and materials have been used. Finally, the children make their own drawings and rubbings to record their findings.
Story Writing
1 hour 30 mins
Pupils use the art on display in the gallery to stimulate creative writing through word-games and discussion. In small groups, they develop their thoughts into storyboards which they later share with the whole group in a session of storytelling, celebrating their ideas.
Hands on Ceramics NEW!
1 hour 30 mins
Highlighting the Gallery’s new Gallery of Pots, this session uses real objects from the ceramics handling collection to
explore different construction and decoration techniques. Following a tour of the latest Gallery of Pots exhibition pupils will get hands-on with clay, making a pinch pot. The session is designed to complement the QCA unit ‘Containers’ but will enhance any art or design unit dealing with different materials or surface decoration.
Sensing the Gardens
NEW! For SEN groups
Developed in partnership with Applefields School, York
1 hour 30 mins
Explore the sounds, textures, sights and smells of the Museum Gardens on a tour designed to meet the needs of your particular group. Pupils will have opportunities to match mystery leaves to plants; play music on the Abbey ruins; hug a tree and make a giant bark rubbing; collect leaves and feathers; take photographs or record sounds; catch a shadow and spot pigeons and squirrels. Wet weather sensory activities can be offered in the Art Gallery and pupils can weave dream-catchers from natural objects. A great, accessible way to explore the natural environment. With additional support if needed, please discuss when booking the session.