Observe, Interpret, and Create
Free for Students and Educators
In-Person Student Art Workshops are now available!
Student Art Workshops offer the chance for students to pair the processes of observing and interpreting art from the Museum galleries with the exploratory process of creating art in response through workshops led by our Community Engagement Museum Educators.
Students visit the Museum to:
- Observe and interpret art in the Museum galleries
- Explore ideas and experiment with studio art processes and materials
- Make connections between the artworks on display in the Museum and the art they individually create
- Engage in creative expression and personal visual storytelling through art
In-Person Student Art Workshops
Join us at The San Diego Museum of Art or the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art for small group docent-led experiences in the Museum galleries. This time in the presence of art is designed to allow students to discover and engage with artworks in the Museum collection, followed by a multi-media hands-on art exploration with one of our Art and Empathy Museum Educators.
All supplies included. Maximum 36 students, 4 adults.
One adult chaperone per 10 students requested. Bus reimbursement scholarships available. Please inquire through the below online form.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Begins: 9:30 a.m.
- Ends 12:30 p.m.
Inquire through the below links.
Please note: Workshops must be requested online at least three weeks in advance. There is a maximum of two entries per school.
2024-2025 Student Art Workshops
Studio Lab
Care and Connection: Forming Clay Vessels
Designed for Grades 3–12
In this hands-on workshop, students will create a clay vessel as a personal gift for someone meaningful—such as a friend, family member, teacher, or themselves. Through the act of gift making, students are invited to explore and express their experiences of care and connection within personal relationships through art.
Museum Tour
During a docent-led tour of the Museum galleries, students will observe and interpret how artists use line, texture, and form to create both functional and expressive works in ceramics and other materials.
Studio Artmaking
In the Studio, students will reflect on a meaningful relationship and consider how line, texture, and form can express feelings of connection and care. They will create a clay vessel using basic hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling, and additive methods with score and slip—including the option to stamp personal words or messages.
One adult chaperone per 10 students required. Bus reimbursement scholarships are available. Please inquire through the below online form.
- Duration: 3 hours (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)
- Group Size: Minimum 10 students with 1 chaperone; maximum 36 students with up to 4 adult chaperones.
- Chaperones: 1 adult per 10 students required.
- All supplies provided.
Workshops must be requested at least 3 weeks in advance. If you need to cancel, please notify us as early as possible so we can offer the spot to another group.
Bus scholarships available.
Inquire through the link below.
Presented with support from the Julie Sourisa Memorial Art Fund.
Exposure
Care and Connection: Photography & Embroidery
Designed for Grades 3–12
In this two-part workshop for Title I schools, students will explore identity and connection through photography and embroidery. Inspired by artist Mirae kh RHEE, students will capture meaningful photos and then transform their photos into personal artworks.
Part 1: At the Museum
Students tour of the MOPA@SDMA galleries, focusing on personal storytelling and multimedia art. With digital cameras, students will then explore Balboa Park taking self portraits, capturing textures, and experimenting with perspective.
Part 2: In your Classroom
Back at school, students select their photos and use thread, floss, and collage to add texture and words, turning their images into expressive mixed media art pieces.
One adult chaperone per 10 students requested. Bus reimbursement scholarships are available. Please inquire through the below online form.
- Part 1: At MOPA@SDMA 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Part 2: 90-minute in class workshop onsite at your school’s classroom
- Group Size: Minimum 10 students with 1 chaperone; maximum 36 students with up to 4 adult chaperones.
- Chaperones: 1 adult per 10 students required.
- All supplies provided.
Workshops must be requested at least 3 weeks in advance. If you need to cancel, please notify us as early as possible so we can offer the spot to another group.
Bus scholarships available.
Inquire through the link below.
Thank you for your interest in student art workshops.
Please note, workshops must be requested online at least three weeks in advance. There is a maximum of two entries per school.
Bus Transportation Support
For Title I Schools
Financial assistance for bus transportation for school visits to the Museum for Student Art Workshops is available to Title I schools under the following requirements:
- Assistance is in the form of reimbursement to the school for bus transportation costs.
- Reimbursement must be requested and approved by the Museum prior to the date the workshop takes place.
- Assistance is available only to Title I schools located within San Diego County.
- Tour or workshop arrangements must be made at least three weeks in advance.
- A letter from the school’s Principal stating Title I status must accompany the application.
- Certificate of Insurance with the San Diego Museum of Art listed as an additional insured.
- Please email to outreach@sdmart.org or mail to P.O. Box 122107, San Diego, CA 92112-2107
