SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
School workshops combine interactive gallery experiences with hands-on artmaking in the Ford Learning Center studio classrooms. School workshops are learner-centered activities for students from preschool through 12th grade and are led by highly trained Teaching Artists. Strongly aligned with state and national learning standards, these creative experiences improve visual literacy, empathy, and critical thinking skills while encouraging creative expression.
School Workshops can be adapted for students above the suggested grade ranges with advance notice. Please add details in the “Notes” field of the registration form.
Workshops
SHAPES AND COLORS
Grades Pre-K–1
Let’s try some color mixing magic! Combine primary colors to create green, orange, and even neutrals, then visit the galleries in search of geometric and organic shapes to add to a mixed media work of art. Shapes and colors have never been more fun!
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
MY MYTHICAL CREATURE
Grades 1–3
Come explore! Dragons, mermaids, and other fantastic creatures are waiting around every corner. Which features will you include in your own “combination creature” collage?
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
INDIGENOUS DESIGNS
Grades 2–4
Native Americans have lived in our area since before it was called Missouri or Kansas. In the galleries, look at functional art designed and created by Native Americans both past and present. Find symbols and patterns used by indigenous people around the world, then create a work of functional art using symbols and patterns that are meaningful to you!
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
DRAGONS
Grades 3–5
Did you know there are over 600 dragons in the Nelson-Atkins collection? Discover the different purposes of dragons created in Asia and in Europe. Gather inspiration in the galleries, then design your own three-dimensional dragon in clay.
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
SCRIBBLE BOTS
Grades 5 and Up
Ready to have some fun with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math? Explore the mark-making techniques of artists in the galleries, then tinker with simple circuitry to create a motorized mark-making machine.
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
PERSONALITY PORTRAITS
Grades 5 and Up
What makes you special? Explore realistic and abstract portraits in the galleries and discuss a variety of abstraction techniques. In the studio classroom, create an abstract portrait reflecting your personality using a collagraph printmaking process.
Find workshop details and pre-/post-workshop resources by clicking below.
Registration
Days: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays
Times: 10:00 am, 12:30 pm
Length: 90 minutes.
Group Size: Minimum of 6 students, and maximum of 112 students per Workshop request.
Chaperones: 1 chaperone per 16 students is required; please round up for additional chaperones. The ideal chaperone assists with group behavior management and gallery transitions. No more than 2 chaperones per 16 students; paraeducators cannot be a chaperone. Children and siblings under 18 years of age are not eligible to be chaperones.
Workshop Cost: The $120 workshop fee includes art supplies and museum staff for one Nelson-Atkins Studio Classroom. Each classroom is designed to accommodate up to 16 students. The total number of students registered will be divided into groups of 16 or less to determine the number of Studio Classrooms your group will require. Payment is due at the time of registration.
- Example: I have 61 students total. I will need 4 Studio Classrooms. My total cost for Studio Workshops will be $480.
Schoolwide Title I schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area are eligible for the Nelson-Atkins’ Incentive Grant Program. The Incentive Grant Program underwrites workshop fees and provides a $200 stipend to offset trip expenses for classified schoolwide Title I schools in Missouri and Kansas. A minimum of 16 students is necessary to receive the funding. Maximum group size depends on the individual tour and workshop. More information is available at this link.
Validation of Incentive Grant benefits for qualifying visits will be included with your confirmation email. Requests from groups falsely claiming Title I status will be canceled.
How to book: Click “REQUEST” below, select a School Workshop, and complete the request for the number of Studio Classrooms your group will require.
When to book: We require 21 days notice. After submitting your request, you’ll receive a request acknowledgement email.
Workshops are available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10:00am – 11:30am or 12:30pm – 2:00pm.
How to pay: Payment is due at the time of registration and requires a credit card to process. If your school is classified as a schoolwide Title I school, enter the promo code TITLE1 and click “submit” at the top right corner of the registration screen before entering any other information. Requests from groups falsely claiming Title I status will be canceled.
Workshop Confirmation: Workshops are not confirmed until a confirmation email is received. Confirmation will arrive within 10 business days.
Cancellations and Changes: Workshop cancellations require a minimum notice of three business days prior to the scheduled visit. Groups who cancel without three days notice will not receive a refund unless the museum or school is closed due to weather.
All changes to the date and time need to be submitted through a new workshop request. At least 21 days advance notice is required for submitting any changes.
To cancel or make a change to your scheduled workshop, please email studioworkshops@nelson-atkins.org.
NOTE: For clarity of communication, each teacher needs to register for their own class. Please do not schedule for others.
We look forward to working with you!
LUNCHES
The Nelson-Atkins does not have indoor dining spaces for school groups bringing lunches with them. School groups are welcome to eat sack lunches outdoors. In the case of inclement weather, the museum cannot provide an indoor eating space. Middle and high school groups of up to 45 students are welcome to make a reservation at Rozzelle Court Restaurant two weeks before their field trip. Contact studioworkshops@nelson-atkins.org for reservations or more information.
NOTE: For clarity of communication, each teacher needs to register for their own class. Please do not schedule for others.
Prior to Submitting a School Workshop Request:
- Consult with your school’s administration; are you a school-wide Title 1 school in the KC metro?
- Check district and school calendars: Schedule around testing days, school assemblies, half days, and any other student events/programming.
- Know approximate travel time to and from your school
- Check bus scheduling calendar, maintenance days and availability
- 1 adult chaperone is required for every 16 students
- Have a credit card available to make payment at time of registration.
- The museum is CLOSED on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So no onsite tours or workshops available on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
*Please note, if there are no workshops in the current month the calendar will display as “No Events”. Click through to another month to view additional dates.
Questions?
For additional information please email StudioWorkshops@nelson-atkins.org
We look forward to working with you!