Education

University Museums is foremost an educational resource for Iowa State University students, faculty, and staff. University Museums works side by side with university departments, faculty members, and student groups to provide an environment that fosters visual literacy and physical and intellectual access, as well as creativity.

The University Museums education staff maintains a working relationship with Iowa State University, local K-12 schools and the community in an effort to design and present educational tours and programs that meet classroom needs. Our programs are tailored to the diversity of our university and address an audience comprised of students, academics, public school children, and community members.    

Have you recently been a part of a tour or attended a University Museums program? If so, we would appreciate your feedback! Visit our survey site today!

 

Visual Literacy and Object Learning:

Visual literacy uses learner-centered methods to examine and find meaning in works of art and improve critical thinking and communication skills that can be applied to all academic disciplines.  Visual literacy and learning makes connections with art, history, technology, culture, and integrates these primary educational resources in to our everyday lives.

To arrange an in-class or site specific Visual Literacy or Object Learning session or for more information on these topics please contact Amanda Hall, Education Assistant for University Museums at 515/294-4442 or email her at ajhall@iastate.edu.  Please be prepared to provide the preferred date, time of day, name of group, number in group, location for the session, and contact information. 

For an Adobe PDF copy of Visual Literacy: 7 Ways to Read an Object click here. 

For an Adobe PDF copy of the Object Learning Work Sheet click here. 

To download Adobe Acrobat Reader click here.
 

Visit the new Visual Literacy and Learning hallway exhibition in the lower level of Morrill Hall!

 

Educational Programming:

Each semester, University Museums presents tours, programs, and events designed to educate and enlighten audiences about art and culture. Educational Programs Calendar
 

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all university Museums sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in these programs, please contact the University Museums office in advance at 515-294-3342.

 

Tours FAQ's:

How do I arrange an educational tour?

To arrange a tour of the Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum, Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden, or Art on Campus Collection, please contact Amanda Hall, Interpretive Specialist for University Museums at 515/294-4442 or email her at ajhall@iastate.edu. Please be prepared to provide the preferred date, time of day, name of touring group, number in group, location for the tour, and contact information. Or fill out our the University Museums online Tour Request Form and email to ajhall@iastate.edu.

Is there a charge for educational tours?

All coach bus and adult tours cost $5.00 per person--this charge covers tours of the Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum, Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden, and the Art on Campus Collection.  Educational tours outside museum open hours are $75 per hour per museum educator in addition to the regular per person cost.  There is no charge for educational tours to ISU classes/clubs and public/parochial school groups during open hours.  Two weeks notice is required when booking tours.  Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours in advance.

Do I need to schedule a self-guided tour?

It is not necessary to schedule a self-guided tour unless you wish to tour the Farm House Museum which is open by appointment only. A suggested donation of $3 per person is recommended for individuals visiting the museums during open hours.

Can I schedule museum space for a class?

University faculty and staff are invited to use University Museum exhibitions and collections for teaching purposes.  University Museums welcomes all educators to hold their classes at the Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum or Farm House Museum.  Depending on the current exhibition, the Brunnier and Christian Petersen Art Museums can accommodate up to 100 students.  Chairs can be ordered for class lectures and discussions.  The Farm House Museum can accommodate 25 students at a time for class purposes. Two weeks notice is requested. To schedule museum space for a class, please contact Amanda Hall at 515/294-4442 or email her at ajhall@iastate.edu. 

How can I use museum programs as an educational resource?

University Museums hosts a variety of program series.  Programs vary from dance or open forums, to artist’s talks and expert scholars.  All programs are designed to educate and inform audiences about current exhibitions and collections.  University Museums welcomes faculty to require attendance at these programmatic offerings through the issuance of a “culture card” to students.  Students who attend programs will have their card stamped at the end of the program for credit. Culture cards can be obtained from the University Museums office in 290 Scheman Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Programs generally last one hour unless otherwise noted. For a listing of current programs click here.

 

ISU Class Projects:
 

English 306/406 Fall Semester 2009

Ekphrasis Poetry: Confronting Art

The history of poetry contains a long tradition of poets writing in response to art. Sometimes these poems are elaborate descriptions of objects, the writing imitating the detail of the artwork itself. In contemporary times, poets often reflect upon, meditate, or interpret the ideas conveyed by visual works of art. These poems may be faithful to the reality of the artwork, describing the event portrayed or the poetry may be more open-ended, capturing the mood or tone of the art. The artwork may even serve as a launching pad for the imagination of the poet. Write a short poem in response to a piece of art that you saw at the Christian Petersen Art Museum and be prepared to read it out loud.

Read the poems by clicking here.
 

Agronomy 114 Fall Semester 2009

Principles of Agronomy

A collaborative program has been established for the course in an effort to promote and encourage agriculture students to integrate arts and sciences in their discipline.  For this assignment, Agronomy 114 students participated in a CASA tour of five works of art in the Art on Campus Collection.  Here are a selection of the student’s responses to Breaking the Prairie by Grant Wood. 

Read student comments by clicking here.