The Making of America

american art collection

As students sample the museum’s collection of American art from colonial times through the mid-twentieth century, they will examine the interdependent relationship between artists and the country’s changing history. Students will explore various themes, including the importance of identity in early American portraiture; westward expansion and democracy; representations of the American West; and artists’ responses to changes in modern America. Through discussion and participatory activities, the tour will engage students in observing and describing works of art, supporting their opinions using visual evidence, responding to art through descriptive writing, and thinking critically about how artists elicit various responses through their work.

Appropriate for grades: 4th-8th
Maximum number of students: 60
Durations: one hour and 15 minutes
Cost: Free

Classroom Connections to supplement your tour