Online Resources for Art Teachers

posted by: Alix | April 04, 2012, 09:11 PM

As reported this week on the AAE blog, arts instruction is on the decline in school districts across the country. While we all must adjust to difficult budget realities, the internet allows art teachers free access to an enormous network of online content. Through the use of some new innovative tools, teachers can take online "field trips" to world-renowned museums, or simply supplement their instruction with banks of worksheets or project ideas.

Take a moment to examine the following popular websites for art educators:

The Art Project powered by Google: If you're an art teacher, this website will be your new go-to resource! The Art Project features interior tours of seventeen world famous art museums. Simply select a museum from the list on the homepage and you can virtually tour it using the same interface used in Google Maps. The website also offers an option to create your own art gallery while visiting each museum. You can see works of art in greater detail, add to your collection, and open background information about each piece with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Art Babble: This website is designed and maintained by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Teachers and students visiting Art Babble will find videos featuring all types of art narrated and hosted by museum experts. The website is diverse and allows users to browse the channels to find videos covering a wide array of topics including abstract art, European art and design, African art, graphic design, glass, sculpture, surrealism, and more.

Art Education 2.0: This resource is an open source online community connecting art teachers around the globe. Once a teacher creates a free account, users can participate in forums, groups, comment on blogs, and share photos and videos. Art Education 2.0 is great for teachers wanting to share and collaborate on projects designed for students.

Teacher Vision for Art Teachers: Teacher Vision is a great resource for teachers of all subjects. For tools specific to art instruction, the website provides an extensive list of free lesson plans, printables, activities, quizzes, and references, perfect for art teachers at the elementary, middle, or high school level.

Incredible Art Department: The site claims to have more resources than any art site online. Teachers can watch podcasts, study artists, visit art schools, see architecture, visit museums and galleries, read art blogs, buy art supplies, participate in art related groups, and get lessons and activities.

Are you an art teacher? Do you have any go-to resources to share?
Comment below.

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