What happens when we look beyond the surface and past first impressions? Examining artwork can offer opportunities to creatively grapple with complexity and ambiguity in ways that foster creative ideation.   

In this session, students are invited to build their interpretation of an artwork step by step while gaining insight into how they are processing their observations and generating ideas.  

Beyond the Surface sessions may use objects from any of VMFA's collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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Artists throughout time have approached their work with stories to tell, concepts to explore, and puzzles to work out, so asking "What's the Big Idea?" about any art object can be a fun and constructive exercise.   

In this session, students are invited to think creatively and critically about art objects, unpacking visual clues to the ideas they present to viewers both past and present.  

What's the Big Idea? sessions may feature artwork from any of VMFA’s collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher 

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Visual art can both communicate and generate ideas. When students carefully examine art for the messages it may convey, they can be inspired to express their own ideas.   

In this session, students are invited to imaginatively interact with works of art and use them as inspiration for their own visual, dramatic, or written creative expressions.  

Creative Expressions sessions may feature artworks from any of VMFA’s collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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Art is often concerned with making ideas and beliefs visible and can prompt students to think about things from a new perspective. Artworks may offer clues into social and cultural systems or convey abstract ideas about humankind’s place in the cosmos.  

In this session, students are invited to explore artworks with focus and consider the variety of messages and perspectives they may convey.  

Perspectives sessions may use objects from any of the museum’s collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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Across centuries, groups of people have interacted with the environment, their communities, and other cultures. Along the way, they have created art that reflects these interactions.    

In this session, students are invited to hone historical thinking skills as they examine artworks for the visual imprint of these interactions and consider the possible inspiration behind each object’s creation.  

Interactions sessions may use objects from any of the museum's collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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When art is made, it becomes a thread in the fabric of its time. Sometimes it documents key figures, events, or discoveries. Often it offers more subtle insights into the thoughts and concerns of the people who were present at the moment it was created.    

In this session, students are invited to closely examine artworks and open lines of inquiry into the ideas of both creators and intended audiences.    

Moments sessions may use objects from any of the museum's collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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Artists all over the globe depend on mathematics to organize and convey ideas about the world in which they live. Using computational and creative thinking to investigate artworks can help students consider math from a different angle.  

In this session, students are invited to connect classroom learning to objects and consider how artists employ mathematical concepts, such as geometry, symmetry, pattern, or proportion. 

MathemARTical! sessions may use objects from any of VMFA's collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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From the advent of materials like bronze and glass to the inventive reimagining of found materials, innovation has been at the heart of artistic production for millennia.   

In this session, students are invited to carefully examine artworks and consider how artists apply flexible and adaptive thinking to their creative processes.  

Innovation Exploration sessions may use objects from any of the museum’s collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher 

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Artworks can be carefully examined for clues about how they were created. Artists may consider available technology and materials in their artistic practice. They may also carefully employ elements of art and the principles of design to convey meaning and express ideas.   

In this session, students are invited to explore how artists use materials, art elements, and principals of design and to consider how these artistic decisions impact the finished artwork and our experience with it. 

Artist's Toolbox sessions may use objects from any of the museums collection areas. The Distance Learning Educator will choose objects that best support instructional goals shared by the requesting teacher. 

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• VMFA’s 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. 

• 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. 

Yes! The distance learning program will come as a visitor to established remote-learning classrooms. Just let us know that you have an online classroom when requesting a session. 

• 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).