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P R E S C H O O L   P R O G R A M S


Child making art at VMFA   Children in the gallery   Children's art   Cover of children's art book

Spring 2010 programs

PRESCHOOL OUTREACH: JUNE 2009-JUNE 2010

Young@Art Community Preschool Outreach Program
VMFA's community preschool outreach program continues to serve thousands of children in their neighborhood classrooms. With a trained VMFA instructor, students learn about color, shape, line, and texture while exploring VMFA works of art; listen to stories; and engage in art activities. Register NOW for the May 2009-June 2010 session by phone at 340.1573 or e-mail Jessica Bauserman. Young@Art is made possible by a generous grant from the Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia and The Memorial Foundation for Children.

Preschool partners will receive up to 4 visits (one thematic unit) with each class/ age group. Each visit will incorporate a new artwork and lesson. Partners, please select one unit from the following and return to: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220

Download a list of the units

  • Spring into Art (offered seasonally, March-May) Students will recognize the signs of spring and the changing of seasons while viewing artworks that incorporate nature in springtime.

  • Art Fun in the Summer Sun (offered seasonally, June-August) Students will investigate works of art that exemplify seasonal activities and weather during the summer.

  • Fall into Art (offered seasonally, September-November) Students will explore color, leaves, and nature while viewing works of art reflective of the fall season.

  • Chilling Out with Art (offered seasonally, December-February) Students will recognize the signs of winter and the changing of seasons while viewing artworks that incorporate nature in winter.

  • People, Places, and Things Students will discuss still lifes, landscapes, seascapes, and portraits while exploring the various environments, histories and subject matter within these works of art.

  • Animals in Art Students will enjoy works of art with animals of various species. Students will discuss and recognize the animals’ physical characteristics and varying habitats.

  • Art Around the World Students will look at works of art from around the world and discuss symbols and celebrations associated with these cultural groups.

  • Art and Movement Students will view works of art that show movement through the artists’ use of line, shape and color. Each lesson incorporates a movement activity, as well as, an art lesson!

  • Sensational Art (will be offered beginning in September 2009) Students will use the five senses while investigating works of art representational of sound, sight, smell, touch (texture), and taste.

  • Colorific Scientific (will be offered beginning in November 2009) Students will look at contemporary and impressionist artists’ use of color while experimenting with mixing primary and secondary colors, creating tints and shades, and observing color within nature.

  • Counting Down with Art (will be offered beginning in December 2009) Students will explore numbers and counting and recognize patterns and shapes while viewing works of art.

PRESCHOOL ONSITE: SPRING 2010


Young@Art
Children enjoy a story, hands-on art activities, and exploratory and movement games while viewing reproductions of VMFA works of art. Themes change each month with new lessons introduced weekly. Ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult
$5 (VMFA members $4), adults free
Pre-registration required. Phone: 804.340.1405, Mon - Fri 8:45-4:30 pm | Meet in the Pauley Center Educational Resource Room.

Jan
Chilling Out with Art
Recognize the signs of winter and the changing of seasons while viewing artworks that incorporate nature in winter.
Wed 6, 13, 20, 27 | Thurs 7, 14, 21, 28 | 10-11 am


Feb
Colorific Scientific
Become a mad scientist. Investigate the relationship between art and science while conducting artful experiments.
Wed 3, 10, 17, 24 | Thurs 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10-11 am


Mar
Sense-sational Art
Explore the five senses and handle tactile objects while observing works of art. | Wed 3, 10, 17, 24 | Thurs 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10-11 am

Apr
Spring into Art
Students will recognize the change of seasons while viewing artworks that depict nature in springtime.
Wed 31, 7, 14, 21, 28 | Thurs 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 10-11 am

May
Re: Open-The Museum and Me
Take an art adventure through the new expanded museum. Learn the ins and outs of the collection while viewing works of art.
Wed 5, 12, 19, 26 | Thurs 6, 13, 20, 27 | 10-11 am

Directions to VMFA Preschool Classes

From the Boulevard, turn west onto Kensington Ave, not Grove Ave. Next, take your first left onto Sheppard Street. Sheppard Street is a one way street that runs directly behind the museum. You will see signs for VMFA’s new Parking Deck. Parking in the deck is $3 or free for members. You may also park on the street for free.

The preschool classes take place in the Pauley Center. The Pauley Center is the long white building on VMFA’s campus that faces Sheppard Street. The entrance to the Pauley Center is directly behind the Pauley Center sign, which you will see walking from the street or the parking deck. The Sheppard Street entrance has three steps; if you’re using a stroller, follow the sidewalk around the Pauley Center to the other side. When you enter the building, a guard will direct you to the Educational Resource Room. VMFA Campus Map

Frequently Asked Questions about Preschool Art Parties

  • What will we do?
    In the Educational Resource Room, we will explore works of art, read story together and do an art activity. Children will have time to play with peers and explore the ERR.
  • How much is the Class? How can I pay?
    The fee is $5 or $4 per child for members. Phone 804.340.1405 to register and pay in advance.
  • Can I bring a sibling who isn’t participating?
    However, we ask that guardians limit the number of participating children to two.
  • Are strollers allowed in the class?
    Yes.
Young @ Art is made possible by generous gifts from The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, the Memorial Foundation for Children, and Target.
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E D U C A T I O N A L   R E S O U R C E   R O O M

The Educational Resource Room in the Virginia Museum of Fine Art's Pauley Center (formerly Center for Education and Statewide Partnerships) is for educators, children and their families to explore new avenues of art through books, puzzles, and CD-ROMs. Teacher packets and inspiring materials will help bring art into any classroom. The Resource Room is open to the public Wednesday – Friday 11-4. For more information or to make an appointment, phone 804.340.1573.

Search the Educational Resource Room's online catalog PANDORA.

M U S E U M    L I B R A R Y

Scope of Collections

The holdings of the VMFA Library, a non-circulating library, provide significant primary and secondary resources for the study of the history, criticism, and theory of art in its 142,500 volumes, including 82,000 monographs, 45,000 auction catalogues, 4,000 bound periodicals, 3,500 rare books and rare serial holdings, approximately 40,000 vertical files on artists and VMFA history, and Museum scrapbooks dating from 1935.

Visit the Library

VMFA’s Compliance with Code of Virginia 22.1-296

Enacted in 2006, Section 22.1-296.1 of the Code of Virginia requires that all persons who provide services to school children during school sponsored activities and have direct contact with students certify that 1) the individual has not been convicted of a felony or any offense involving the sexual molestation or physical or sexual abuse or rape of a child; and indicate 2) whether the individual has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

VMFA Child Protection Guidelines

You will find a copy of VMFA’s certification letter, as well as a copy of our certification waiver signed by all of those at VMFA working with children