Current Art Lab Themes

Students explore the ICA’s architecture, special exhibitions, and/or permanent collection with a guided tour, then delve into their own hands-on investigations and problem solving with a related art-making activity in the BANK OF AMERICA ART LAB. Organized around major themes in current exhibitions, these combined Tour + Art Lab programs are offered in two-hour blocks (approximately one hour gallery visit and one hour Art Lab). This combined program is offered during the below dates and times. Advance registration must be made three weeks prior to program start date:

Tuesday, Wednesday OR Thursday:
10 am–Noon
11 am–1 pm OR
Noon–2 pm

For After-School Groups Only:
Thursdays: 4–6 pm

To book a Guided Tour and Art Lab, complete the GROUP VISIT REGISTRATION FORM for K–12 School and Youth Groups  at least three weeks in advance to receive the discounted group rate.

For more information, contact us at tours@icaboston.org

Note: Tours work with a varied selection of artworks from the ICA permanent collection and special exhibitions.Typical tours provide an opportunity for visitors to look at highlights of ICA architecture, visit multiple ICA galleries, and make comparisons.

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CURRENT THEMES

INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY ART AND IDEAS
Ongoing

The art of our time invites us to open our eyes and reflect on current events around the world. Tour the ICA collection and special exhibitions with a focus on processes and decisions made by today's artists. Discover the artists' intentions and how their works connect to our lives. View works by artists Hague Yang, Anne Collier, Roe Etheridge, Rachel Perry Welty, and others, discussing similarities and differences. In the Bank of America Art Lab, participants create 3D collaged works of art (paper-based), using a wide range of materials to reflect questions and/or recurring themes in their own lives.
 

SPEAKING OUT
Ongoing

View works from the ICA collection and special exhibitions. Discuss how and why contemporary artists chose to incorporate images and themes in their work, often from everyday life. During art-making sessions, students work combining distinct visual elements using mixed-media and text to create posters—or "public  announcements") that speak out about social issues.


ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Ongoing

Tour the galleries to discover and discuss works of art on view as well as the building's architecture. Hands-on projects for students in grades K–5 involve designing structurally sound buildings and neighborhoods. For middle school and high-school students, art-making activities transform 2D materials into 3D forms, working with a variety of media.
 

THE ART OF BARRY McGEE
April 9–September 2, 2013

View the exhibition to discover works by urban artist Barry McGee then during studio workshops combine hand-lettering with other design elements to create original works of art. Secondary students will be asked to include elements related to developing visual language.

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*Free admission is available for teachers who would like to preview the exhibition. For information please email tours@icaboston.org to arrange a pre-visit.