MADlab is MAD’s inquiry-based and experiential flagship educational program which acquaints New York City school children—at pre- through high school ages—to MAD and to the scintillating worlds of art, craft, and design. While interacting with working artists and certified educators, the children explore the creative process and transformation of materials in an irreplaceable program that combines learning-with-your-hands projects and the museum gallery experience.
MAD programs for school groups offer students opportunities to begin to develop a personal vocabulary—both verbal and non-verbal—as a way of knowing and communicating. Through the acts of doing and making, the students actively ask questions which reveal understanding about the creative process, specific works of art, and the actual skill involved in different art forms. Visits to MAD’s galleries to tour and discuss the current exhibitions help students strengthen the ability to reflect on their studio experience, gain practical insights into specific artworks, and eventually learn to make critical evaluations.
MADlab workshops are designed to assist educators in accomplishing requirements outlined in the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts grounded in the National and New York State Learning Standards for the Arts. While making use of the Museum as a community and cultural resource, MADlab satisfies the following benchmarks of arts learning for New York City public school students:
- Arts Making
Create hands-on projects and aesthetic education experiences in our studio directed by professional artist educators. Work clay, shape wood, fold, collage and weave--all art materials are provided.
- Literacy in the Visual Arts
Explore artists' materials, processes and techniques during interactive discussions and observations in our galleries.
- Making Connections
Discover how craft, art and design concepts influence and are influenced by social and cultural traditions by participating in activities linking the arts to subjects across the curriculum and specific units of study in your own classroom.
CREATE. EXPLORE. DISCOVER.
What: Hands-on workshops inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions, NY State standards in all subjects and the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts exploring three-dimensional artists’ materials and processes, cultural history and traditions.
Who: For NYC public school students K-12. Maximum 35 students per group plus 1 chaperone per 10 students. Taught by the Museum’s professional Artist Educators. Resource packets for classroom teachers provided.
When: Visits scheduled Monday-Friday, 10:30am-3:30pm. 90-minute program
includes tour, visit with a studio artist and 3-dimensional mixed media workshop. In-school residencies also available.
How: Spots fill fast! Reserve your class visit now by calling the Education Department at 212.299.7759. $105 advance flat fee for public schools includes admission and all art materials.
MAD is an authorized vendor with the NYC Department of Education.