Artists and Sense of Place

Since its inception in 2001, the Artists and Sense of Place residency program has brought a unique experience to over 8,000 students from over 45 Orleans and Jefferson Parish public schools and employed 21 visual artists. By pairing elementary school students with professional artists to explore the influence of situation and geography in their lives, this program encourages art appreciation, self-discovery, and learning in the visual arts.

Instructed by the artist in a medium he or she prefers, students create a work or works of art that reflect their school, community, neighborhood, or world. At the end of the three- to four-week residency, the students’ creations are displayed in the Ogden Museum Education Gallery and the students visit the Museum to see their work and recognize themselves as Southern artists in their own right. Ultimately, the students’ work is installed at their school, while one piece enters the Museum’s Education Collection. Students, no matter what their expectations, become engaged and leave with significant memories of working with our artists and coming to the Museum to see their own work and that of other artists.

Day with an Artist

The Day with an Artist program brings 20 middle- or high-school students to the museum to spend time discussing and making art with an artist. The artist selects three to four works in the museum for study, including one of his or her own pieces. After a tour of these works, students participate in a “press conference” lunch with the artist, asking questions prepared in advance or developed during the tour. The day concludes with an art-making workshop conducted by the artist focusing on a particular technique discussed during the day.

Early Childhood Enrichment Program and Tours

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute, The Ogden Museum’s Early Childhood Enrichment Program serves pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade children with the goal of making art approachable, teaching art in a way in which students can easily relate and understand, as well as introducing children a museum.

This program also strives to increase literacy through the use of art. Prior to a visit to the Ogden Museum, students read and discuss a suggested book in class. During the students’ visit to the Ogden Museum, they view artwork related to the book and their conversations and participate in in-gallery activities reinforcing newly learned concepts and vocabulary.
Suggested books for pre-K:
Matthew’s Dream by Leo Leonni (introduction to a museum)

Suggested books for Kindergarten:
The Room of Wonders by Sergio Ruzzier (found objects)

Suggested books for 1st grade:
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (neighborhood)