Princeton University Art Museum Featured in Exhibition of Student Art and Writing Presented by the Assoc. of Art Museum Directors and the US Dept. of Education in Washington, DC

DISTRIBUTED ON JULY 17, 2014

PRINCETON, NJ--The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), in partnership with the United States Department of Education in Washington, D.C., is currently hosting Museums: pARTners in Learning. This is their second collaboration to exhibit student art and creative writing resulting from AAMD member museums’ innovative educational programs offered in partnership with their local schools. This year, the exhibition features programs organized by 16 college- and university-based art museums, including the Princeton University Art Museum, which underscore the breadth and range of art museum education today.

On view now through August 29, 2014, at the U.S. Department of Education, Museums: pARTners in Learning celebrates the remarkable diligence and creativity of thousands of K–12 students across the country, and highlights the diverse ways in which direct engagement with the arts enriches students’ learning experiences, personal development and critical thinking.

Each year, four 3rd grade classes from the Trenton, New Jersey, public school system participate in the Princeton University Art Museum’s Frances Lange Public School Program, named after a longtime Art Museum docent and devoted volunteer.  Over the course of eight visits throughout the year, students visit the Art Museum to learn about artwork on view in the galleries ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe.  In their home classrooms, students keep journals and create their own works of art inspired by their visits to the Art Museum.  The program culminates with an end-of-year exhibition of the students’ artwork held at the Trenton Board of Education.

“Museums play a unique role in complementing our schools’ educational resources and provide invaluable access to arts education for students across the country,” said Chris Anagnos, executive director of AAMD. “Art is a powerful tool for encouraging new ways of thinking across disciplines. We are so pleased that the Princeton University Art Museum is participating in Museums: pARTners in Learning, and is committed to fostering innovative educational programs to promote student learning, engagement and personal growth in Mercer County, New Jersey. We are proud to work with the Department of Education to showcase the many ways in which museum-school partnerships can make a broader impact on the quality of K–12 education in the United States.”

AAMD’s 242 members serve more than 40,000 public, private, charter and home schools a year, with programs ranging from single-visit tours to intensive, long-term partnerships that include shared teaching, curriculum design, assessment and professional development. Museums often pay for students’ transportation, especially those in high-need schools, and offer professional development for teachers, programs for students with special needs and college preparedness for high school students. All AAMD museums place education at the core of their mission. Further information about AAMD is available at www.aamd.org.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Art Exhibit Program, now in its 11th year, produces seven exhibits each year. Members of the public who would like to visit Museums: pARTners in Learning should contact Jackye Zimmermann (Jacquelyn.Zimmermann@ed.gov; 202-401-0762) to set up an appointment.

About the Princeton University Art Museum

With a collecting history that extends back to the 1750s, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country. From the founding gift of a collection of porcelain and pottery, the collections have grown to over 92,000 works of art that range from ancient to contemporary art and concentrate geographically on the Mediterranean regions, Western Europe, China, the United States and Latin America.

Committed to advancing Princeton’s teaching and research missions, the Art Museum serves as a gateway to the University for visitors from around the world. The Museum is intimate in scale yet expansive in scope, offering a respite from the rush of daily life, a revitalizing experience of extraordinary works of art and an opportunity to delve deeply into the study of art and culture.

The Princeton University Art Museum is located at the heart of the Princeton campus, a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Nassau Street. Admission is free. Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed Mondays and major holidays.

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Please direct image requests to Erin Firestone, manager of marketing and public relations, Princeton University Art Museum, at (609) 258-3767 or ef4@princeton.edu.