Grades/Level: Lower Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Middle School (6–8), High School (9–12)
Subjects: Visual Arts
Time Required: Short Activity
20 minutes
Author: J. Paul Getty Museum Education Staff

Activity Overview

Students who will have a Guided Lesson at the Getty Center watch a video that introduces them to the Museum's collections and to the interactive teaching style practiced by our educators. As demonstrated in the video, students will be encouraged to share their observations and personal reactions to works of art. Self-guiding teachers may wish to view the video(s) online as preparation for their visit to the Getty Center.

Learning Objectives

Students should be able to:
• discuss their expectations for their visit to the Getty Museum at the Getty Center.
• list questions they have about their visit to the Getty.
• name one thing, or a collection area they'd like to see during their visit to the Getty Center. (upper grades)

Materials

• The appropriate video for your class' grade level, provided in the pre-visit materials sent by the Getty Museum's Education department.
• What's Up at the Getty? (grades K-5, running time 9 minutes)
• First Impressions (grades 6-12, running time 16 minutes)
• Background Information about the J. Paul Getty Museum information sheet

Activity Steps

Step 1: Ask your students what they think they will see or experience when they visit the Museum. List their responses on the board.

Step 2: Watch the video together. (grades K-5 watch What's Up at the Getty, grades 6-12 watch First Impressions)

Step 3: Ask students to reconsider their list. After watching the video, does the list need to be revised? What was the most exciting part of the video? What did they learn about the Getty Center and about art? What questions do they have for their Museum Educator? How will visiting the Getty Center differ from other field trips they have taken? What part of the Getty's collection do they want to see during their visit? Why do people look at art? Is art important? Why?