School Tours: Sculpture and Sketching
Grades 4–12
Please note: The Gallery is no longer taking School Tour requests for fall 2009. Please check back on December 1 to begin requesting School Tours for winter and spring 2010. You can still review information about tours and planning self-guided visits by clicking on the links below.
Logistical Information | Additional Gallery Resources
What are some of the characteristics of sculpture? Looking at works ranging from figurative bronze and marble sculpture to objects that challenge the traditional definition of the medium, students investigate the sculptors' uses of materials and techniques as well as the sculptures' subject matter, function, and effect on the viewer.
Looking and Learning Skills
This two-building tour (with six tour stops) includes careful observation, sketching, and discussion to encourage participants to develop their own ideas and interpretations. The following skills are promoted:
- Using sketching as a tool to observe and understand sculpture techniques, form, and function
- Debating, discussing, and interpreting the intended purpose, message, and mood of a sculpture or group of sculptures
- Comparing and contrasting traditional and modern sculpture in terms of materials, technique, and subject matter
Group Size: Up to 60 students
Length: 90 minutes
Meeting Location: West Building, Rotunda, Main Floor
Pre-Visit Materials
Museum Policies
Student Lunches
General Information
What is object-based teaching and learning?
- NGAClassroom: New Angles on Art (online interactive unit)
- NGAClassroom: Sculpture and Sketching Museum Activity (printable museum)
- NGAClassroom: Mobile Maker (online activity)
- NGAKids: Mobile (online activity)
- Online Tours: Sculpture Galleries