Workshop Programme
Our education workshops take place in the galleries and our learning room, The Studio. They can be booked until the end of the 2008/9 school year. Click on the following headings to skip to the area you are interested in: Early Years, KS1 and KS2, KS3 and 4 and 16+.
Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2
All our Early Years, KS1 and KS2 workshops are £2 per pupil and are suitable for a maximum group of around 30 pupils.
Early Years
Pictures Tell Stories
One hour, available all year
The children explore the narrative paintings in the gallery and draw characters from the artworks before listening to a story about the painting Not Sold Yet. Children then engage in role-play activities related to the story, followed by drawing activities in The Studio.
Light and Shadows
One hour, available 26 - 30 January, 2009
Join our curious cats William and Alfie and use light and shadows to explore colour, shape and materials. In the Studio, the children create their own shadow puppets to re-tell the story of their visit to the gallery.
Key Stage 1 & 2
Telling Stories
One and a half hours, KS1 only
Pupils use their questioning skills to unravel the stories in our narrative paintings. Following a story they then participate in practical Studio activities, including drawing, creating different story endings and producing their own acrostic poem.
Heads and Tales
One and a half hours, KS1 and KS2
Pupils investigate portraits, learning about pose, expression and setting, and consider the 'head' of the sitter and the 'tale' of what the artist is trying to share with us as the viewer. Pupils then enjoy practical art activities using a range of materials and processes.
A Sense of Place
One and a half hours, KS1 and KS2
Pupils explore paintings depicting seascape, rural and urban landscapes to identify the 'tricks' that artists use to create depth and space. Using sensory boxes to help them imagine what the different places are like, the pupils make a sketch in the gallery which they develop further into a colour drawing in The Studio.
If Buildings Could Speak
One and a half hours, KS1 and KS2
Using old photographs, plans and architectural drawings of York Art Gallery, this session encourages children to examine a historic building and investigate how that building has changed over time. Pupils also consider the design of the building; exploring how shape, pattern and materials have been used. Finally, the children make their own drawings and rubbings to record their findings.
Story Writing
One and a half hours, Literacy Session, KS2 only
This session has been designed in consultation with writer-in-residence, Tracy Chevalier. Pupils use the art on display to stimulate creative writing through word-games and discussion. In small groups, they develop their thoughts into storyboards which they later share with the whole group in a session of storytellling, celebrating their ideas.
We offer a "pick and mix" selection of sessions which allows you to choose up to three activities per half-day visit. These include guided tours, gallery-based workshops and Studio-based workshops, on themes including objects, people and mood.
Each session lasts 45 minutes, costs £1 per student and is suitable for a maximum group of 30 pupils (minimum charge: £15). We also offer free self-led tours, with teachers' notes available.
The only limit on your choice is that you can have only one Studio workshop per half day.
Pick and Mix
Self Led Tours
If you would like to take your group around yourself, choose a self-led tour on one of three topics - Objects, People or Places. Teachers notes are available.
Guided Tours
Objects Everywhere - A tour of the gallery focusing on the objects, ceramics and still-life paintings on display.
Meet & Greet - A tour of the gallery introducing some of the characters portrayed in the artworks
Come on a journey - A tour of the gallery focusing on the different places depicted in the works of art and the moods they evoke.
Gallery-based Workshops
Ceramics Handling Session - Get up close to ceramics from the collection. Considering: Form, Material and Maker.
Sketchbook Patterns - Collect ideas from around the gallery to help develop ideas for still-life, sculpture or surface design.
Searching for Clues - How much can a painting tell us? How true are the stories they tell? Look carefull to find the answers in our narrative paintings
Sketchbook Bodies in Motion - How does an artist capture a figure in motion? Explore the dynamic poses in the gallery
Is the Sky Blue? - See how artists use colour to convey different times of day and make colour notes of the paintings you see.
Sketchbook Moods and Emotions - Collect examples, ideas and thoughts inspired by the artwork in the gallery - how does the piece make you feel?
Studio Workshops
Vanitas - Find the hidden meanings in the Dutch still-life paintings and create and draw your own still-life arrangement.
Natural Forms - A drawing session using specimens from the Yorkshire Museum's natural history collection. Choose to focus on Pattern, Structure or Anatomy.
Measuring Up - Use the rules of proportion to help you draw a face or figure. Are you in perfect proportion?
Forms out of Clay - Design and model a simplified human form inspired by sculpture and paintings in the collection.
Emotional Colours - What do different colours mean to you? Change the mood of an image by altering your colour palette.
Shadow Lands - Getting the most from your pencil. Use shading to add depth, shape and mood to your drawings.
Our sessions for 16+ students all last for 60 minutes and cost £2 per students, unless otherwise stated. There is a minimum £25 booking charge. We can also adapt our KS3 and 4 programme to suit 16+ students.
Gallery Tours
Assessment Objective 2
A tour of the gallery with notes, suggestions and exercises designed to fulfil the objectives of AO2.
Main Gallery Exhibition
A tour of the latest of our changing exhibitions
The Print Room
See a selection from our extensive collection of works of art on paper. We can only accommodate up to eight students on this tour, for 20 minutes, and the sessions cost £6. Choose from Print-making techniques, illustrations and caricatures and images of York.
Practical Sessions
Prints
Learn the techniques of mono-printing and transfer ink drawing or explore the possibilities of foil card printing - which can produce effects similar to etching and engraving, cheaply and quickly.
Caricatures
Work with photos and collage to plan and create your own character portraits.
York - Day and Night
Pastel; wax resist; line and wash. Try out different techniques to capture York by day and night.