SCHOOL & TEACHER PROGRAMS:

The Mystic Arts Center is located in the heart of downtown Mystic along the Mystic River. Founded as a society for local artists nearly 100 years ago, the Center hosts fifteen exhibitions of local and regional art each year including paintings, prints, drawings, mixed media, sculpture and photography.

School Programs

Staff-Guided School Visits
Guided visits are discussion-based and hands-on, and help students exercise visual and verbal literacy skills.  As students describe, analyze, and create artworks, they are encouraged to express their opinions about what they see, using critical thinking, problem-solving and observation skills.

Grant Funded Opportunities
Due to generous donors, select schools may participate in MAC programs at a reduced or no charge, including the cost of transportation, while funds last.

ART START TOURS - Grades Pre-K, K

Children join Mystic Arts Center staff for an artful adventure of stories, hands-on activities, and playful discovery in our galleries. Artworks are explored through the creative windows of storytelling, movement, and imaginative play.

Fee: $5 per student; $50 minimum

VISITS TO YOUR CLASSROOM – Grades Pre-K to 5

Art in a Box
An artist or art theme is the focus of each program.  Using reproductions, storybooks, movement and/or theatre techniques, MAC educators help students make critical observations about artworks and the creative process.  Each student then creates an artwork of his or her own using stylistic and compositional elements of the artist or theme studied.
Topics available:
The Art of Van Gogh
Yoga and Art
Anime-style Drawing

Maximum class size 30 students
Fee: $125 per 1-hour program.
Beyond 10 mile radius: Additional charge of $.45 per mile RT

ART SMART TOURS - Grades K – 12

The Art Smart program connects a studio art project with discussions in the Center’s galleries.  Four themed programs are available to attend individually or as a series.
Program Fee: $7 per student; $100 minimum
Grades 3 and up: 2 hour program
Grades K - 2: 1.5 hour program

Fundamentals
A facilitated gallery discussion focuses on the elements of art: color, line, shape, texture as well as elements of design, like pattern and rhythm. Gallery teachers help students to recognize and decipher narrative content, mood, non-narrative concepts, and artist’s intent. The art project incorporates elements of art and design to encourage individual expression. This program is appropriate for first time visitors as a broad entry into the visual arts.

Face to Face
A facilitated gallery discussion focuses on portraiture and depictions of the human face in artworks.  The artist’s use of the elements of art and compositional choice are examined in light of how they define the portrait. Gallery teachers help students to recognize and decipher the subject’s pose, mood, personality and the purpose behind the portrait while utilizing art vocabulary. A self-portrait art project will incorporate the elements of art and design and help students explore their own identities with regard to expression, personality, and mood. This program is appropriate for any group, or as follow up to the Fundamentals program.

Places
A facilitated gallery discussion focuses on the elements of art and design as related to landscapes and other artworks depicting settings. Gallery teachers help students to recognize and decipher the elements of a landscape (horizon lines, perspective, atmosphere, geography et al). The art project incorporates the elements of art and design to encourage an individual interpretation of a distinct place. This program is appropriate for any group, or as a follow up to the Fundamentals program.

Writing with Artworks
Grades 2 & up:
A facilitated discussion about art in the galleries focuses on descriptive language and elaboration. Students exercise verbal, oral presentation, and writing skills using artwork as a catalyst.  Writing activities are included in the gallery while the studio art project focuses on the idea of the written word and language. This program is appropriate for any group.

MULTIPLE VISIT PROGRAM - Grades 3 - 8

W.A.M! Writing and Art Matter!
This curriculum exercises literacy through art. Students will improve their abilities to provide detail and elaboration when writing or talking about the visual world around them.  This three-part program includes two guided lessons with MAC staff, and a resource packet for teachers to use as follow-up in the classroom.  Contact the Education Department for more information, scheduling and availability.

Fee: $15 per student

Teacher Programs

EVENINGS FOR EDUCATORS
Join Mystic Arts Center Education staff for an orientation to current exhibitions and school programming. Enjoy refreshments and good company as you learn about MAC field trip and professional development opportunities. Admission for school educators and administrators is free. Call or email to R.S.V.P. (860)536-7601 x209.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Prepare yourself with cross-curricular tools to diversify your teaching strategies and integrate artworks into your curriculum through interactive and participatory workshops with gallery activities, handouts, and practical “take-home” lessons.

Literacy Through Art
Scheduled by appointment
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 pm
Recommended for teachers, grades 3-8

.6 CEUs available
Fee: $60, $50 CAEA and Mystic Arts Center members

Immerse yourself in the visual arts through writing, discussion, and art-making. Tools and questioning strategies for artworks and various writing prompts will be modeled.  Examine various topics to appeal to multiple learning styles and to exercise critical thinking skills. The day concludes with a studio art exercise that incorporates the written word. Morning refreshments provided. Add $10 to the registration fee for a boxed lunch or bring your own.  Registration in advance required.

IN-SERVICE DAYS
Book a day exclusively for your group. Four weeks notice required. Choose from three topics below, or call the Education Department to discuss customized options.
Fee:      Half day (up to 3 hours): $25 / teacher, $200 minimum
Full day (3.5 – 5 hours): Gallery Program Only, $35 / teacher, $200 minimum
Full day (3.5 – 5 hours): Gallery & Studio Art Exercise or Studio Retreat,
$50 / teacher; $250 minimum: $50 / teacher; $250 minimum

Fundamentals: This workshop introduces methods of teaching with artworks across the curriculum and is great preparation for bringing your students on an Art Smart Tour with the same title.

Art and Writing: Incorporate writing into your art curriculum or energize your language arts lessons with creative writing prompts and skill building. This workshop is great preparation for bringing your students on a Writing with Artworks tour.

Studio Art Retreat:  Want to focus in depth on the creative process? Spend the day with our studio faculty, learning a new process, medium, or skill. These sessions are customized to your interests and needs and conclude with critique and reflection for classroom applications. Art supplies not provided.

Scheduling Your Program

All guided group and school visits must be scheduled a month in advance. If you do not receive written confirmation of your visit two weeks before your program, please contact the Education Department. To reschedule or cancel a staff-guided visit, a minimum of two days notice is required.   

Cancellation Policy
Groups canceling with less than 24 hours notice may be required to pay the minimum booking fee of $100.  If your school has a delay, dismisses early or closes due to inclement weather, your visit is cancelled automatically at no charge.

Group Visit Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm*
*except for Art Start Tours

Public Hours
Daily, 11 am -  5 pm
Closed major holidays.

Class Size Limits
60 students, with up to 10 additional chaperones

Self-guided Visits
We welcome self-guided groups to the Mystic Arts Center with the appropriate number of chaperones. Call the Education Department at least two (2) weeks in advance to schedule your visit. Review our “Planning Your Visit” packet on line before arriving to ensure the quality of your visit.

Accessibility
The Center’s galleries and studio are accessible to visitors with mobility limitations. Persons entering in wheel chairs should enter the studio entrance or galleries from their front doors respectively.

Chaperone Requirements
Grades 2 – 12: one adult per 15 students
Grades Pre-K, K, 1: One adult per 7 students
See the “Planning Your Visit” packet on our web site for details on chaperone responsibilities.

Transportation and Parking
The Mystic Arts Center parking lot is bus accessible and free for program participants. Visitors must provide their own transportation unless arranged with MAC Education Staff.

For more information or to schedule a program:
Contact the Education Department at
(860) 536-7601 ext. 209 or education@mysticarts.org.

The following supporters help to fund these programs:
The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut  *  Pfizer 
The Anderson-Paffard Foundation, Inc. *  The Palmer Foundation