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, join us this summer for an exploration of identity through the lens of six Smithsonian collections! Register for one of our free five-day Summer Sessions and join an online community of educators across the country.
Read more and register: Session I | Session II
All National Portrait Gallery professional development workshops will be virtual for the 2021 academic year. All workshops will require preregistration. Zoom links for workshops will be sent 24-48 hours in advance.
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 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.
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.
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.
