Corcoran College of Art and Design
Corcoran College of Art and Design
Shadows of History
Upcoming Exhibition
Shadows of History: Photographs of the Civil War
February 4–May 6, 2012
San Miguel
Travel with the Corcoran
Discover the world's treasures on art-themed trips to Havana and Trinidad, Cuba, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Educator Programs

Professional Development Workshops

The Public Education department, in collaboration with the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s Art Education program, offers professional development opportunities. These programs are designed to help teachers make meaningful classroom connections with works of art. Teachers explore special exhibitions and the Corcoran’s collection while learning new ways to incorporate object-based learning into their curriculum. Participants take part in studio experiences, writing activities, Gallery explorations, and lectures. Attendees receive an Educator Packet compliment of the Public Education department. Pre-registration is required and limited space is available.

Exploring Personal and Communal Identity through Art
Thursday, September 22, 2011
4:30–8 p.m.
Explore concepts of identity by focusing on selected art works in the Corcoran’s renowned collection. Educators of all grade levels learn to consider how works of art and art-making can enhance one’s understanding of life, self, our historic past, and current times. Participants engage in a hands-on activity and receive practical classroom resources.

Arts 101: Interdisciplinary Connections through American Art
Thursday, January 12, 2012; 4:30–8 p.m.

Explore common themes spanning 400 years of American cultural life, and learn how the ideas and concerns presented in these works may be used to make integrated curricular connections in the classroom. This new and innovative middle school visual arts engagement program is designed to supply educators with interdisciplinary resources and materials necessary to effectively teach key standards of learning through American art.

This workshop will also be offered on March 8, 2012.

Pricing and registration information

Art NOW! Teaching with Contemporary Art
Saturday, February 25, 2012
9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
This workshop, organized around the Corcoran’s collection of contemporary artworks, seeks to familiarize teachers in grades 4–12 with effective, innovative, and interdisciplinary methods of integrating contemporary artworks, themes, and visual culture into their teaching. Activities include viewing artworks, defining the term ‘contemporary,’ gallery discussions, writing, and art making.

Pricing and registration information

Past is Prologue: Teaching about the Present through Historical Art Works
Saturday, April 21 , 2012
9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore selected works from the Corcoran’s collection. Discuss common themes spanning historical periods, generations, cultures, social movements, and artistic disciplines. Learn how the issues and themes presented in these works may be used to make interdisciplinary curricular connections and engage students in making their own comparisons.

Please check back for pricing and registration information.

Educator In-Service Events

What better place to discuss interdisciplinary learning with your colleagues than the Corcoran Gallery of Art? The Corcoran welcomes school and county systems who wish to use our facilities and resources to encourage dialogue among teachers. Gallery and College educators work closely with schools to arrange for a personalized In-Service event. To schedule an In-Service Event, please call (202) 639-1730 or e-mail tours@corcoran.org.

Learn more about joining the Educator Society.