Teacher Workshops

Be inspired to use portraiture in your classroom. No matter what subject you teach, 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.

The Portrait Gallery is pleased to offer both virtual and on-site teacher workshops for the 2023-2024 academic year. Please register for all workshops on the Portrait Gallery's Eventbrite page. Looking forward to seeing you in the galleries or on Zoom. 

terra cotta portrait head of a man

 

Celebrating Identity: Portraits of Jewish Americans  

Virtual via Zoom 
Monday, March 18, 2024 - 5:00–6:00 pm 

Description: Kick off Jewish American Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery! In this interactive workshop we will critically examine issues of representation and agency in portraits of Jewish Americans from the museum’s collection. Together we will use thinking routines and analysis to discover how portraiture can illuminate complex narratives in history and offer perspective on who gets to tell the American story. 

waist length black and white photo of an older woman with dark hair

Celebrating Identity: Portraits of Arab Americans

Online via Zoom
Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 5:00–6:00 pm

Kick off Arab American Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery! In this interactive workshop we will critically examine issues of representation and agency in portraits of Arab Americans from the museum’s collection. Together we will use thinking routines and analysis to discover how portraiture can illuminate complex narratives in history and offer perspective on who gets to tell the American story.

portrait of a young Asian man in a space suit

 

Celebrating Identity: Portraits of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders 

Virtual via Zoom
Monday, April 29, 2024 - 5:00–6:00 pm 

Description: Kick off Asian American, Native Hawaiin and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery! In this interactive workshop we will critically examine issues of representation and agency in portraits of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders from the museum’s collection. Together we will use thinking routines and analysis to discover how portraiture can illuminate complex narratives in history and offer perspective on who gets to tell the American story. 

bust length portrait of a Black man painted in vibrant yellow

 

Celebrating Identity: Portraits of LGBTQ+ Americans 

Virtual via Zoom 
Monday, May 13, 2024 - 5:00–6:00 pm 

Description: Kick off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the National Portrait Gallery! In this interactive workshop we will critically examine issues of representation and agency in portraits of LGBTQ+ identifying sitters from the museum’s collection. Together we will use thinking routines and analysis to discover how portraiture can illuminate complex narratives in history and offer perspective on who gets to tell the American story.