Museum-School Partnership Opportunity

The Textile Museum seeks school partners from District of Columbia Public Schools (grades 1 through 6) for a unique student textile art project.

• Description of Project
• Project Goals
• Project Details
• Application (PDF) -- due December 14, 2007

Partnership with The Textile Museum includes:

• A private viewing for teachers of the exhibition Indigo.
• An interactive tour of the exhibition for students.
• A collaborative textile arts project, created by students in their classroom.
• A Textile Museum docent to assist with gallery content and ideas for a textile art project.
• Funds for project supplies and bus to visit the Museum.
• Display of artwork in The Textile Museum’s Myers Room in June 2008.
• School’s name and class project description in public program materials for Celebration of Textiles on June 6 & 7, 2008.
• A certificate for each student and recognition ceremony at Celebration of Textiles.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The Textile Museum invites all 1st through 6th grade classes in the District of Columbia Public and Charter Schools to apply for participation in the 4th annual Museum-School Partnership. Students visit the Museum to learn about the current exhibition, then choose an aspect to represent in their artwork. Collaborating with their teacher and a Museum docent for several months, students design and create original textile artwork. The final project is a small exhibition unveiled during Celebration of Textiles, the Museum’s annual family festival.

No previous textile experience is necessary. Applications are reviewed by a committee of local art educators and textile artists, and up to three classes, with maximum of 30 students each, are selected. The Textile Museum matches each partnership school with a Museum docent who will work with the teacher and students from February to May towards project completion.

PROJECT GOALS

• Educate students about the textile arts and the cultures that produce textiles.
• Provide an opportunity for local schools to partner with The Textile Museum.
• Provide an opportunity for students to create and display textile art.

PROJECT DETAILS

The classroom teachers will:

• Attend an initial meeting and special tour at The Textile Museum.
• Participate in a teacher’s workshop on April 12, 10:30am-1:30pm.
• Work with students to design and create unique textile art inspired by the exhibition.
• Deliver artwork to the Museum on Thursday, May 18, 2008.
• Attend the recognition ceremony with their classes at Celebration of Textiles.
• Meet project specifications and deadlines.
• Dedicate sufficient time to completion of project.

The Textile Museum will:

• Assign a docent to work with each class.
• Provide funds to teacher for project supplies.
• Provide gallery guide and a specialized tour.
• Document project through photograph.
• Display class artwork in June at the Museum.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the partnership application and submit by December 14, 2007.
Notification of selection will be in late January.

For additional information, call (202) 667-0441, ext. 35.