Lauren Daugherty

Project abstract

The Rural Teachers Engaging Art program at the IU Eskenazi Museum of Art shares and studies school-based techniques for engaging with museum collections. Specifically, the program offers three lines of engagement with teachers in rural communities. The three lines include: 1) creating a professional learning community, in which teachers have the opportunity to discover, design, and critique techniques for engaging with art; 2) demonstrating techniques in the classroom, co-led by museum and classroom educators; and 3) studying teacher engagement, learning outcomes, and outputs as a result of the program. As we continue to grow the program, we are developing a new focus on professional development that pairs the healing power of art with educators of children impacted by the addictions crisis. For example, understanding which art materials to offer to a child who is dysregulated will be a key component of the program. We are also exploring bringing 3D object replicas to the classroom for increased access through multi-sensory learning.

Community partners

• Bradie Shrum Elementary School
• West Washington High School
• Brown County Middle School
• Brown Bear Preschool
• Shelbyville Middle School
• Shelbyville High School
• Monroe County Head Start

Anticipating:

• Huntingburg Elementary School
• Southridge High School

Counties involved

Brown, Dubois, Monroe, Washington

Project abstract

In partnership with IU Health Bloomington Hospital and the Herron School of Art and Design (IU Indianapolis), the Eskenazi Museum of Art will lead an art therapy program at the hospital that will provide wellness for patients in psychiatric care, while also mentoring an IU art therapy intern. In addition to providing an outstanding program for the participants, this project will establish partnerships with various community organization and a strong partnership with IU Health Bloomington Hospital over the next year, with a goal of positioning the museum to begin a museum prescriptions program as early as summer 2021.

Community partners

• IU Health Bloomington Hospital

Community partners

•  IU Indianapolis Herron School of Art + Design 

Counties involved

Monroe