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A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING THROUGH ART

Learning begins earlier than the first day of school, and a child’s first marks with a pencil or crayon may be the seeds for a lifetime enriched by art: whether through creating art, traveling to see art, or supporting institutions
such as the Chrysler. Education rests at the core of the Chrysler’s mission, and the new school year holds a wealth of learning opportunities for children and adults alike.

Each year the Chrysler’s docents tour thousands of school children from across the Hampton Roads region. Channon Dillard, manager of school programs, works with area schools to develop tours to enhance learning across the curriculum—from Art to English to History. John Christiansen, educator at the Historic Houses, created a CD-ROM to complement exhibitions at the Norfolk History Museum which contains historical background notes and lesson ideas for several aspects of Norfolk history. Additionally, the Chrysler has created a CD-ROM to complement its collection of Civil War photography, and in the coming year these materials—as well as many others—will be available on the Chrysler’s re-designed website. It contains a complete list of tours and programs in addition to the online collection of the Museum’s artworks as well as the holdings of the Jean Outland Chrysler Library.

In addition to traditional school tours, the Museum has formed two new partnerships allowing it to reach new audiences after school. Students in Norfolk’s after school program at Lake Taylor Middle School will continue to visit the Chrysler weekly as a part of program begun in February of 2006. This fall, Director of Education Scott Howe will lead a course for high school students from Chesapeake Bay Academy. This new initiative has been generously funded by the Louis S. Haddad Foundation.

“Introduction to the Museum,” a course for students at Old Dominion University, rounds out the formal programs for students at the Chrysler. This course, taught jointly by Dr. Elizabeth Lipsmeyer, director of ODU’s Art History Program, and the Chrysler’s Scott Howe will give college students a first-hand introduction to important issues facing museums today.

Opportunities for learning and discovery exist at the Chrysler for all ages, from pre-school to seniors. Please explore the listings in the current calendar or contact the Education Department to learn more.

To schedule tours at the Museum: 333-6269.
To schedule tours at the Historic Houses: 441-1526.