K-12
School and educator programs use works of art in the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions to create a forum for ideas, debate, and exchange. Programs at the Museum and in the classroom offer students and teachers opportunities to explore American art while learning from artists and each other.
Ahora Se Ofrecen Visitas Guiadas En Español
Online lessons are also offered in Spanish. More information below.
Online Lessons
Interactive online lessons engage students with works of art from the Whitney's collection through close looking exercises, guided discussions, and activities. These classes are taught by Museum educators via videoconferencing.
- Forty-minute-long thematic online lesson that builds upon classroom learning
- Whitney educators introduce students to two works of art through discussions and activities that incorporate the artists’ voice and process
- Lessons can be tailored to meet the curricular needs and interests of participating classes, and will focus on the Whitney’s collection
- Size: one classroom allowed per online lesson
- We are able to use teacher’s preferred program or use the Whitney’s Zoom account
- We offer online lessons in Spanish, subject to availability
Pricing
NYC Public Schools: FREE
All Other Schools: $150 (one classroom per entry time)
The last day to submit an online lesson request for the 2020-2021 school year is May 28th. We will resume requests for the next school year in September 2021.
Charles Henry Alston, The Family, 1955. Oil on canvas, 48 3/16 × 35 13/16 in. (122.4 × 91 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art; purchase, with funds from the Artists and Students Assistance Fund 55.47
Guided Visits
Guided Visits for K-12 students are thematic gallery tours that build upon classroom learning.
Guided Visit + Studio
This program features a one-hour and ten-minute Guided Visit and a one-hour art-making workshop in the Hearst Artspace that explores materials and experiments with artistic processes.
School Partnerships
We work with a small group of New York City schools to create long-term partnerships with the whole school community.
Get Updates About School and Educator Programs
K-12 Teachers
Book a Visit
Free for New York City public schools
Bring your students to explore the Whitney’s fall exhibitions. Guided Visits for K-12 students are thematic gallery tours that build upon classroom learning.
Free Guided Student Visits for New York City Public and Charter Schools endowed by The Allen and Kelli Questrom Foundation.
Ahora se ofrecen visitas guiadas en español
Guided Visits are now offered in Spanish.
New: Neighborhood Friends Initiative!
The Whitney is committed to being an integral part of our vibrant downtown community. In order to work more closely and deeply with K-12 schools in the area, we have started a new initiative called Neighborhood Friends. This initiative is open to all schools in District 2 and in Manhattan south of 23rd street.
Educator Programs
For Teachers
Teachers can explore materials, activities, and resources developed especially for K–12 audiences.
Teacher Exchange
In this year-long professional development program, New York City teachers and Whitney educators learn from one another and exchange ideas about art and teaching.
Teacher Guides
Check out our Teacher Guides, designed for educators to use as a resource in the classroom before and after a visit to the Whitney.
Download Our Social Narratives!
Prepare for your visit with our social narrative, which contains photographs and descriptions of what to expect on a Guided Visit or Guided Visit + Studio at the Whitney. Please note: this seventy-minute Guided Visit + Studio program is only for Access groups.
Connect to the Common Core
Our programs have long supported classroom learning in the ways encouraged by the Common Core State Standards.
Thank You!
Annual support for School and Educator Programs in the Laurie M. Tisch Education Center is provided by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation; The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation; Con Edison; and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Major endowment support is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation.
Free Guided Student Visits for New York City Public and Charter Schools endowed by The Allen and Kelli Questrom Foundation.