What is Art Outreach? Art Outreach is a system of more than 70 portfolios that explore a particular arist or artist; a movement in art history (i.e., Impressionism), or theme using prints and artifacts. Portfolios may be checked out to any area educational institution or community group organization free of charge. Along with the artworks, each portfolio includes: A supplementary folder with biogrpahical & print-specific information, Reading Suggestions & Additional Resources Discussion questions, and instructions for an additional art craft. Currently in its 36th year, Art Outreach is utilized by more than 5,000 students per month.
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What’s comes with an Art Outreach portfolio? Prints and/or Artifacts: Each portfolio contains ten to twelve prints (or artifacts, or slides) that are designed to visually explain a certain theme, movement in art history, or individual artist. Each print is documented with background information and pertinent questions to aid the volunteer in the preparation of fun and exciting classroom discussions. Information Packet: This packet explains the background data of the presented work and its artist; as well as highlights potential reading suggestions and research points; and discussion questions. Supplementary Craft Project: This craft suggestion (performed immediately after the presentation or left for another day, depending on time) reinforces the discussed artist or painting technique.
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What are some of the topics I can present? Some portfolios are developed around a theme (animals, transportation or sports).  Other portfolios may be built around an art movement (Impressionism, Surrealism, or Pop art).  Still other portfolio lessons center on an individual artist or artists (Rembrandt, Karsh, or Van Gogh).  At the end of many portfolio lesson plans is a topic bibliography for the docent’s further research or for sharing with classroom instructors and students. Portfolios can be utilized in any classroom environment, particularly in cross-curricular exercises like history and language arts. Many of the Art Outreach portfolios can be presented to better explain the myriad of national and cultural heritage months. For example, the portfolios “Historical Portrayal of Women,” “Women Artists,” and “Georgia O’Keeffe” would all be excellent additions to the classroom for National Women’s Month in March; “Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera” for National Hispanic Heritage Month in September; and “Civil War Era,” “Harlem Renaissance” or “Norman Rockwell” for February’s African American History and American History Month.
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How do I go about renting a portfolio? If you’re interested in checking out a portfolio, or would like to see a list of our available topics, contact Katie Rasmussen, Education Coordinator, at the SAA Office: 523-2631, or e-mail education@springfieldart.org.