School Visits

Glenstone provides opportunities for middle and high school aged students to learn in an environment which encourages direct connection with art, architecture, and nature. Our program is intended for a broad range of curriculum and grade levels and uses direct engagement to build critical thinking and interpretation skills. All in-person visit paths are designed to meet Maryland Visual Art State Standards or Next Generation Science Standards to enable stronger connections to the current state-wide curriculum.

Please contact the Community Engagement team at youth@glenstone.org.

General Information:

Guided Visits

Guided onsite visits are offered on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am – 11:30 am. One guided visit is available per day for up to 40 students and 4 school chaperones. All paths include time inside the Iconoclasts exhibition at the Gallery and outdoors, weather permitting.

Glenstone's guided visit program is fully booked through June 14, 2024. Join the waitlist here for a guided onsite visit. If a date becomes available, Glenstone will email all educators on the waitlist at once about the availability, with at least 2 weeks' notice.

Glenstone offers four programs led by knowledgeable guides that use artful thinking routines, modeled on strategies developed by Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education, to encourage student engagement. All paths are designed to meet Maryland Visual Art State Standards or Next Generation Science Standards to enable stronger connections to the current state-wide curriculum.

Guided Visit Paths:

Principles of Design 

An introduction to looking at art, using slow-looking techniques to encourage deeper appreciation and richer conversations around art. Students are guided through looking at artistic and material choices, as well as an artwork's overall impression.

Maryland Visual Art State Standards:
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work

Art and Artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries

Students will explore how an artist makes and exhibits artwork by looking at Glenstone’s unique exhibitions and installations. This path explores the process of collaboration between artist and institution in achieving an artistic vision.

Maryland Visual Art State Standards:
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding. 

Nature and Sustainability

In this path, students will learn about the meaning and decisions behind Glenstone's ongoing sustainability efforts, including recycling, stream restoration, and reforestation.

Next Generation Science Standards:
Life Science 2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Earth Science 3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Engineering Technology .1.B: Developing Possible Solutions 

Iconoclasts – Available March 21 - June 14. 2024  

Students will explore the Iconoclasts exhibition and experience a survey of modern and contemporary art created by artists who have made some of the most radical contributions to art in the 20th century. The path will feature work in a range of media, highlighting moments from folk and self-taught art, photography, conceptual art, and pop art.  

Maryland Visual Art State Standards:
Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding. 

Virtual Engagements

Virtual Engagements are offered on Thursdays and Fridays and are 45-60 minutes. One is offered every hour starting at 9 a.m.

To request a virtual engagement for a school program (from February 1 June 14, 2024) click here.

Glenstone offers three virtually guided programs led by our knowledgeable guides that use interactive exercises to encourage student engagement.


Virtual Engagement Options:

Drawing at Glenstone
This interactive presentation takes a close look at artwork on view at Glenstone and focuses on critical thinking through close-looking and note-taking through drawing.

Color Theory 101
This program is an introduction to color theory which demonstrates how to read colors in artwork and the environment. Students will learn how color can change the effect of an artwork as well as influence the viewer’s reaction to the work.

I Love My Leaf: Formalism and Mindfulness
Students will be introduced to the basics of formalism and the benefits of close-looking as a kind of mindfulness activity while slowing down to observe objects in nature.

Self-led Visits

Glenstone can host self-led school groups of up to 40 students and 4 school chaperones. In a self-led visit, students explore Glenstone at their own pace and engage with our guide team throughout campus.  Students must travel together in groups of up to 10 students to 1 chaperone. 

If you would like to come for self-led group visit, please sign up here.

Guidelines

  • To help us preserve and protect the art, galleries, natural environment, and the experience of other visitors, we ask that you respect the following guidelines:
  • Due to the fragile nature of the works on view, all visitors must be 12 or older and all minors (ages 12–17) must be always accompanied by an adult
  • School groups must travel together in groups of up to 10 students with 1 school chaperone.
  • Visitors should be prepared to spend considerable time on foot, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Please stay on marked trails and paths. Our growing plants thank you!
  • Please don’t touch the art. Even outdoor sculptures that are exposed to the elements can be damaged by human contact.
  • Photography is allowed any time a visitor is outdoors. Once inside the galleries, photography is not permitted.
  • If the heat index value is expected to exceed 105 degrees, the wind chill temperature falls below 0 degrees, or there are thunderstorms expected in the area, our Community Engagement team will reach out to the group’s primary contact to reschedule your visit.