Even young children can enjoy and appreciate the artwork at The Art Institute of Chicago. Use picture books and art projects to introduce kids of all ages to artists and art pieces.
The Art Institute has absolutely incredible resources for families with younger children, as well as elementary, middle, and high school classes. (Kids are free under 14 years old!) These resources start in the Ryan Learning Center.
The best thing you can do for a successful trip with your children and/or students is to use the JourneyMaker resource. I always create this ahead of time for our visit (a couple of months out at least), so I can prepare my preschooler for what art pieces we will see. You can also create a JourneyMaker tour in the Ryan Learning Center if that fits your needs better.
I AM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ART INSTITUTE IN ANY WAY. I’M SIMPLY A MOM AND EDUCATOR WHO LOVES ART HISTORY AND BELIEVES IT IS FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY FAMILIES.
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Artists at The Art Institute of Chicago
Joseph Cornell
To prepare children to see Joseph Cornell’s dream boxes, I recommend reading these two books aloud a few times at least. The first book, The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell by Candace Fleming, is about Cornell as a child and introduces readers to how and why he started making dream boxes. The story highlights some of the unique objects found in The Art Institute’s collection of Cornell’s pieces. The second book, Mr. Cornell’s Dream Boxes by Jeanette Winter, is about grownup Cornell from the perspective of a child who lived in his neighborhood.
After spending time with these two books, I recommend doing an art project inspired by Joey Cornell. For more Cornell projects, as well as additional art history projects for kids, check out this resource.
Pablo Picasso
To prepare to see Picasso’s pieces, read the following books aloud with your children. Some of my favorite Picasso pieces to see with kids are The Old Guitarist, 1903-1904 and The Red Armchair, December 16, 1931.
After spending time with these books, I recommend doing an art project inspired by Picasso (such as Picasso portraits or Picasso collages).
Mary Cassatt
To prepare to see the various Cassatt art pieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, I recommend reading aloud these two pictured books. Suzette and the Puppy by Joan Sweeney is another great option. Sweeney writes about a little girl who encounters Cassatt in the real world and eventually sits for a painting for her. Meet Mary Cassatt introduces readers to Cassatt and her life. Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter by Barbara Herkert highlights Cassatt’s Impressionist work. These books are all great for ages 3-18.
After spending time with these books, I recommend doing an art project about Cassatt, one can be found in this resource.
Georges Seurat
You absolutely cannot go wrong with seeing Seurat’s showstopping piece, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. It’s one of those pieces that your kids will love (because it’s so big!) and you will love (because it’s iconic!). I recommend reading Sunday with Seurat by Julie Merber and Suzanne Bober and Katie and the Bathers by James Mayhew together as a family. The artwork featured on the front of Katie and the Bathers is also currently on display at the museum (Final Study for “Bathers at Asnières”).
Since Seurat developed his own style, Pointillism, I encourage families to also paint with dots to “paint like Seurat.” For this, I recommend Do-A-Dot markers and free dot coloring pages. Another option is to use Duplo bricks to stamp in paint and create art, as shown here.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Our family’s favorite Frank Lloyd Wright pieces at the Art Institute are the windows, AND the furniture pieces they have of his are also fun! Kids don’t often think of furniture as art!
We love to read all three of these Frank Lloyd Wright picture books and have read them many times. The Shape of the World by K.L. Going and Prairie Boy by Barb Rosenstock give fun and informative looks into who Wright was as a child and as an artist. Fallingwater by Marc Marshman and Anna Egan Smucker is beautiful and great for children even though the Art Institute does not feature anything from Fallingwater.
AP Art History Lessons Using the 250 Required Works
Get a list of 50+ AP Art History Picture Books
Enhance your curriculum and engage your students in a new and exciting way: children’s literature! There are some INCREDIBLE picture books about some the required 250 artworks. The very best ones can be found here.