Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Teachers' Notes

Resource created by the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull.

 

Creating an 'Art Across the Curriculum' project

Visual art is a fantastic stimulus for work in all areas of the curriculum, enabling creative ways of working and opening up unexpected avenues across subject areas. This resource presents an inspiring case study showing how one school used a visit to the Ferens Art Gallery as a starting point for cross curricular work, and providing guidance on creating your own 'Art Across the Curriculum' project.

 

Curriculum Links

  • KS2-4 Literacy: creative writing or drama inspired by work
  • KS2 Art & Design: Materials; Skills - Evaluating work
  • KS3/4 Art & Design:  Art from different cultures - European Art; Museum/Gallery visits; Fine Art
  • Arts Award:  Discover and Explore

Depending on the artwork chosen, the  following Curriculum Links may also be relevant:

  • KS2 Design & Technology: Homes and Structures
  • KS2 Geography: Around the World; Water - Canals
  • KS3 Geography: Landscapes - Rivers
  • KS3 Physics: Light
  • KS2 Art & Design:  Portraits; Colour; Developing ideas
  • KS4 Art & Design: History of Art; Portraits; Times & Contexts
  • KS3/4 Design & Technology: Textiles - Materials
  • KS3/4 History: The Tudors | The development of Church, state and society
  • KS2 History:  Ancient Greece - Myths and Legends

 

Choosing an artwork

The choice of artwork for your project will determine the breadth of curriculum links you can explore. Here are some tips:

  • Choose a work large enough for the class to explore together
  • Take a risk - children can make their own interpretations 
  • Look for unexpected curriculum links

There are several downloadable resources to help you plan an 'Art Across the Curriculum' project - see 'Documents' in the Resources section.

 

Arts Award Discover & Explore suggested activities

  • This resource allows students to explore a range of different paintings and art forms. The images featured here can act as starting points for discussion. Students' responses to the artworks could be recorded as part of the evidence required for Arts Award, for example, as with the Wheeler Primary School group, a gallery of students' work could be created. 

(With thanks to Wheeler Primary School for their help in developing this resource.)