Education Mission
The Education Department at the Hispanic Society uses our collections as a foundation to foster meaningful engagement with the arts, literature and cultures of the Hispanic world through an array of programs for the diverse local, national, and international audiences that it serves. Every year we reach out to the widest possible audience through educational programs and activities that stimulate aesthetic and intellectual engagement, ignite creativity, and promote familiarity with Hispanic art and literature in its historical, cultural, and material contexts. All of our education and public programs are open free to the public.
PROGRAMS
Museum in the Classroom
Our qualified docents will visit schools to talk about The Hispanic Society Museum & Library collections in the classroom. The students will engage with the arts, literature and cultures of Spain, Latin America, and Portugal through talks, interactive programs and activities.
These visits are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and can be conducted in English and Spanish.
This program is free thanks to the generous support of the Marjorie and George Shea.
The Drawings of The Hispanic Society
The Drawings of the Hispanic Society: Explore and Enjoy the Collection’ is an exciting outreach program for middle and high school students focused on drawings from the Society’s collection. The program seeks to address three fundamental questions: ‘What is drawing?’ ‘What tools and techniques are associated with drawing?’ and ‘Why do we draw?’ Students will attain an understanding of the materials and techniques involved in drawing and its purposes both as a means of communication akin to planning and thinking as well as a complete art form. Throughout the course of the program, students will be introduced to significant ideas in art and culture and will practice observation, articulation, and discussion skills, and further develop their visual literacy. Aligned with NYS Standards and created with the school curriculum in mind, the program is applicable to various disciplines including visual arts, social studies, and language arts, supporting learning across the curriculum. The program includes four in-classroom lessons and a possible exhibition of the drawings in a venue to be determined.
This program is free thanks to the generous support of the Marjorie and George Shea.
The Maps of The Hispanic Society: Explore the Collection
The Hispanic Society’s collection of early maps, charts, and globes is one of the most important to be found in the Americas, including unique examples not found elsewhere in North America. The Maps program centers on early history of the Americas using the museum’s maps and globes collection in four lessons. First, students gain practical knowledge of how to read a map and use coordinates. Second, students learn about the history of Hispanic culture in the Caribbean, including the Taínos and the first Spanish contact with the Americas. Third, the program focuses on the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations. Students learn about Spanish contact and conquest in these regions. In the final class, students discuss how the use of maps has changed today and work on a related activity. Aligned with NYS Standards and created with the school curriculum in mind, this program is applicable to various disciplines including visual arts, social studies, and early history of Spanish heritage and teaches practical geographical skills as well as Spanish language. The program is designed for grades 9-12.
- LESSON 1: To access the lesson , please click here
- Activities click here
- LESSON 2: To access the lesson, please click here
- Activities click here
This program is free thanks to the generous support of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.
For information about the above educational programs and to make a reservation for a school group, send an email to education@hispanicsociety.org or call 212-926-2234 extension 209.
From left to right: Pancho Fierro, Tapada limeña. S.XIX | Student work of the Tapada | Student work the Tapada. | P.S. 86- Kingsbridge Heights
From left to right: Libyan Sibyl. S. XVII | Student work of the Sibyl | Student work of the Sibyl | P.S. 86- Kingsbridge Heights
From left to right: Francisco de Goya, Old Man on Swing, 1824-28 | Student work, P.S./I.S 210 Twentyfirst Century Academy for Community Leadership | Federico de Madrazo y Kunz, Caricature of a pianist, 1849 | Student Work, P.S./I.S. 210 Twentyfirst Century Academy for Community Leadership | All Student Work created in the Museum in the Classroom Program
