Education Initiative Fund
The Education Initiative Fund encourages innovation and creativity in all aspects of DeCordova' s Museum School, outreach, and related educational programs.
Education has been DeCordova's primary mission since the Museum's founding in 1950. Our focus on the work of New England art and artists has made DeCordova the most vital force in educating the public about contemporary art in the region. To help strengthen DeCordova's commitment to learning, the Education Initiative Fund was established. This fund supports program innovation, start-up ideas, and specific projects that, though important, would not be possible to fund otherwise.
Help us make DeCordova a national leader in museum education, and make a difference in the lives of countless people. Your support of the Education Initiative Fund will help DeCordova's Education Department:
- Hire pioneering artists as teachers and program leaders
- Acquire the latest computer hardware and software to keep our students and visitors on the creative forefront
- Respond to newly emerging needs in both scholarship and special access
- Provide professional development opportunities for teachers, students, and Museum volunteers.
Outreach
A firm foundation
Long recognized for its visionary educational initiatives, DeCordova is committed to education beyond the courses of studio art study offered at the Museum School. The Museum has pioneered some of the most exciting outreach programs in the country—programs recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as national models for effective arts learning.
- Gallery on the Go brings artworks and artists directly into schools and has proven to be a compelling way to introduce children to the power of art. The program has been replicated at other museums, both large and small, across the country.
- Art Works for Schools: Thinking and Learning Through Art helps both students and teachers connect art to other subject areas, such as math, history, and language arts. Created in collaboration with Project Zero of Harvard University and the Underground Railway Theater, this program is already attracting the interest of educators across the nation.
DeCordova is now ready to build upon these experiences and offer such advanced educational opportunities as new family-centered workshops and expanded collaborations with local schools. The Education Initiative Fund is crucial to the long-term growth of these plans.
