Schools

The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for all. We work closely with local schools to provide fun, engaging learning activities to teachers and students. The Harwood Museum waives admission fees for Taos County School Groups, and enthusiastically encourages teachers to bring their classes to the Museum.

Over the past three years the Harwood has developed a very successful program, Art in the Schools, which brings students to the museum for a monthly visit throughout the academic calendar year. This program currently serves three grades from Enos Garcia Elementary School as well as the Taos Catholic Education Center. Over 300 students visit the museum monthly as part of this program. Children have become increasingly comfortable in the Museum setting, are learning important skills, developing inquiry, and learning to be freely creative.  Each month a different area of the Museum collection is explored, from special exhibitions to work in the permanent collection. This exploration is facilitated by the Harwood's education team who tailor each visit to the skill levels and special needs of each class. After visiting the galleries for an interactive discussion and examination of works, techniques, ideas and histories, the class walks over to the Fern Hogue Mitchell Education room and gets to work creating their own art, supporting topics  presented in the Museum. The Harwood continues to develop curriculum for this program which is aligned with the New Mexico State Standards.

Harwood Art in the Schools  is offered to all schools free of charge.  If your school is interested in participating in this program, please contact the Education Department.

School Groups are also invited to visit the Harwood for a specialized tour and project to complement areas of class study. We are happy to work with teachers to design activities that focus on any area of curriculum, from art topics, to world history, current events, politics, environmental issues, math, science, social studies and writing. We also encourage teachers to use the Harwood in non-traditional ways, by bringing classes to visit the galleries and work in the space on activities that are not necessarily art focused. Museum Educators are happy to assist teachers in  developing  lesson ideas.  We are also  on hand to help make you feel comfortable working in the Museum setting.

Outreach - Transportation to the Harwood Museum from the schools can be tricky and expensive. We are fully equipped to come into your classroom either to prepare your class for a visit, or to work with your students on art projects. We can even provide mini-art historical presentations related to regional as well as international subjects, past and present.

Afterschool Art - in addition to educational activities during the school day, the Harwood also provides afterschool outreach to schools. Currently the Museum works with Anansi Charter School to provide a weekly art enrichment program after school.  The Harwood also offers a free Friday Afterschool Art program for teens at the Museum  from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

Cllick here to inquire about Harwood Outreach to the Schools or Afterschool Art in the Schools.