Be inspired to use portraiture in your classroom. No matter what subject you teach—social studies, English, or visual arts—you will learn and practice techniques to involve your students in creative and innovative ways. By using portraiture as a springboard into deeper discussions about biography and our collective history, the Portrait Gallery strives to create an unprecedented experience for teachers as we gain a glimpse into the past and examine the present.
Teachers & Students
Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Inspiring Civic Engagement
How can educators of all disciplines prepare students to be active and informed participants in a democracy? Join us this summer to explore this question through the lens of six Smithsonian collections! Register for our free five-day virtual Summer Sessions and join an online community of educators across the country. Discover how museum objects can help learners explore the challenges and opportunities of living in a democracy and inspire civic action.
Teacher Workshops
By using portraiture as a springboard into deeper discussions about biography and our collective history, the Portrait Gallery strives to create an unprecedented experience for teachers as we gain a glimpse into the past and examine the present. All workshops will require preregistration.
Learning to Look Summer Teacher Institute
The Summer Teacher Institute takes a broad look at the Portrait Gallery's collection. During the institute, the museum's curators and historians provide in-gallery content lectures, introducing the collection. Utilizing an interactive approach, NPG educators model a variety of "learning to look" strategies—unique ways to hook and engage students when they look closely at portraits.
Student Programs
Student programs at the National Portrait Gallery bring students in contact with the men and women who have shaped our nation. Through analysis of the visual elements of portraiture, students explore biography, art, and the American experience.
Classroom Resources
Want to learn more about the lives of remarkable Americans, past and present, who have contributed to the nation’s history and culture? The Portrait Gallery has a variety of resources for the classroom that have been developed to complement our exhibitions.
Webinars for Teachers
Learn how to use portraiture in the classroom from the comfort of your classroom. View archived professional development webinars for ideas and strategies about integrating portraiture into your teaching.
