Events & Activities
Art and History Connect
Grades: 4–12
Length of tour: 1 hour
Tour Description
Take a trip through time to explore history as depicted in the artwork of different eras. Observe the role of art as a document of events, people and values. Learn how art acts as a mirror in which a culture sees itself reflected.
Goals
To discover history through the eyes of artists
To introduce “art history” as an independent subject by exploring different periods of art
To see how the culture, the times, and events are reflected and expressed in various styles, subjects and themes in art
Rationale
Artists record. They give us visual images that preserve history. We can see what people looked like in the past, and view significant events and places through their eyes. At the same time, art has its own history. The development of styles, the preference for subjects and themes, and the selection of materials are the basis for the story of art. This tour enhances a student’s knowledge of the past and an appreciation of the history of art.
Topics
- How art reflects historical, cultural, economic and political trends, and conditions of life during the time the artist created it
- Face to face encounters with historical figures featuring how they looked, what they wore, etc. and what was important to them
- The evolving styles and changing subjects of art throughout history
- Definitions of art terms such realism, idealism, abstraction, etc.
- The power of visual arts to communicate ideas, events, and the characteristics of the past
Arizona Education Standards
Visual Arts Standards
Strand 2: Relate
Concept #1 Artworlds (PO 001, PO 002, PO 103, PO 105, PO 206),
Concept #2 Materials, Tools, Techniques (PO 102, PO 203)
Concept #3 Elements & Principles (PO 001)
Concept #4 Meanings & Purposes (PO 001, PO 102, PO 203)
Concept #5 Quality (PO 001, PO 203)
Strand 3: Evaluate
Concept #1 Art Issues and Values (PO 001), PO 003)
Concept #3 Elements & Principles (PO 001)
Concept #4 Meanings & Purposes (PO 001)
Concept #5 Quality (PO 001)
Social Studies Standards*
Strand 1: American History
Concept #5 Westward Expansion
Concept #10 Contemporary United States
Strand 2: World History
Concept #1 Research Skills for History
Concept #2 Early Civilizations (China)
Concept #3 World in Transition
Concept #4 Renaissance and Reformation
Concept #5 Encounters and Exchange
Concept #10 Contemporary World
*The tour can be adjusted to meet Performance Objectives at varying grade levels.
Language Arts Standards
Grades 4 – 12
VP-E1 Analyze visual media for language, subject matter and visual techniques
VP-P1 Analyze and evaluate visual media for language, subject matter and visual techniques
VP-P3 Analyze and evaluate the impact of visual media on the intended audience