Program overview
This three-part program combines a docent-guided interactive museum tour with two classroom lessons by a trained art educator or “Ambassador.” Schools can choose from seven thematic choices—East Meets West, Hawai‘i and Its People, Art of the Philippines, Animals in Art, Art of the Ancient World, Art of the Pacific, and Roots - Cultural Celebration.
Learn about our Honolulu Museum of Art Ambassadors.
Mission
Students in the Ambassador Outreach Program will: extend their understanding of art, increase their perspective as global citizens, and reinforce their critical and creative thinking skills.
Program Registration
- To make a reservation, please click here. Reservations for the Ambassador Program are handled by email only at this time.
- The program fee is $200 per class. (Value is $225 per class. Grant was awarded from an anonymous donor to cover tour fees.)
- Maximum program class size is 30 students. Schools are not allowed to combine classes to reach a class size of 30 students.
- We welcome students with special needs. Please be sure to mention special needs or disabilities.
- Once we process your information, a program contract will be emailed to you.
- The confirmation email will contain program information, including session dates, times, as well as program logistics. Please review the information and reply to the email for program confirmation. If you have question or concerns about reservations, please do not hesitate to call 808-532-8792.
Program Themes
All Classroom Visits’ Length: 1 Hour
Animals in Art (available for Special Education and Preschool)
Grades Pre-K-3
Museum Tour Length: 1.5 Hours
Stone lions from China? A painted dog from France? Mosaic animals from Syria? Animals have been depicted in art throughout history in many different ways using a variety of materials, from paint to stone to fibers to glass. How and why did they do it?
Benchmarks addressed:
FA.K.1.1 Use developmentally appropriate art vocabulary
FA.K.1.4 Explain preferences for particular works of art
FA.1.1.3 Differentiate between two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork
FA.2.1.2 Use color to convey mood in works of art
FA.2.1.4 Investigate how art is used in celebrations, festivals, and customs of selected cultures from the past and present.
FA.3.1.4 Use visual arts vocabulary to discuss and compare works of art
Click here to request this tour.
Art of the Ancient World
Grades 6-8
Museum Tour Length: 1.5 Hours
Journey back through time and discover ancient civilizations! Learn about architecture, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and mosaics of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Consider the importance of art in communicating the powers of rulers, stories of the gods, or ideas of the afterlife.
Benchmarks addressed:
SS.6.3.1 Examine written and physical evidence from ancient societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River Valley, and the Yellow River Valley.
Click here to request this tour.
Art of the Pacific
Grades 4-6
Museum Tour Length: 1.5 Hours
Explore Pacific Island art and culture! Compare and contrast examples of Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian art to discover unique characteristics about each area as well as similarities and differences in beliefs, customs, and everyday life.
Benchmarks addressed:
SS.4.3.4 Describe the theories of early migrations from parts of Polynesia to Hawaii, including migration myths and legends
FA.4.1.2 Use a combination of visual and performing arts to create an original artwork
Click here to request this tour.
Art of the Philippines
Grades 2-6
Museum Tour Length: 1 Hour
Take a trip across the sea! Learn about the diversity and rich heritage of Filipino art, life, and culture—from indigenous traditions of Northern and Southern Philippines to art made under Spanish Colonial rule.
Benchmarks addressed:
SS.2.2.1 Investigate the history of families using level-appropriate primary sources (e.g., artifacts, photographs, interviews, documents)
F.A.2.1.2 Use color to convey mood in works of art
F.A.2.1.4 Investigate how art is used in celebrations, festivals, and customs of selected cultures from the past and present.
Click here to request this tour.
East Meets West
Grades 1-8
Museum Tour Length: 1 Hour
Learn about cross-cultural exchanges and influences from the past as you examine curiosities from Asia carried over the Silk Road for trade in Western lands.
Benchmarks addressed:
SS.3.6.1 Explain that different cultures have unique values, beliefs, and practices.
SS.3.6.2 Make informed judgements about cultures based on evidence from cultural artifacts
FA.3.1.1 Use the elements and principles of art and design, including, value (i.e., tints and shades, analogous colors), line, rhythm, movement, proportion, and balance
Click here to request this tour.
Hawai‘i and Its People
Grades 4-6
Museum Tour Length: 1 Hour
From traditional Hawaiian objects to sketches done by artists traveling with the explorers, to dramatic depictions of landscape or portraiture, discover the diversity of Hawaiian art and artists.
Benchmarks addressed:
SS.4.3.1 Explain the origins and culture of early Hawaiians
FA.4.1.2 Use a combination of visual and performing arts to create an original artwork.
Click here to request this tour.
Roots: Cultural Celebration
Grades 2-3
Museum Tour Length: 1.5 Hours
Echoing the mission statement set forth by founder Anna Rice Cooke, Roots introduces students to the many cultural legacies that contribute to the diversity of Hawaii.
Benchmarks addressed:
FA.2.1.2 Use color to convey mood in works of art
FA.2.1.4 Investigate how art is used in celebrations, festivals, and customs of selected cultures from the past and present
SS.3.6.1 Explain that different cultures have unique values, beliefs, and practices.
SS.3.6.2 Make informed judgements about cultures based on evidence from cultural artifacts
FA.3.1.4 Use visual arts vocabulary to discuss and compare works of art
Click here to request this tour.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS: THREE VISITS
Pre Visit: Museum-in-a-Box in the Classroom
Duration: 1 Hour
Students are introduced to art objects included in a “museum-in-a-box”. Ambassadors host a discussion, allowing students to interact directly with reproductions, artifacts, images, and cultural attire.
“Having students view some of the artifacts prior to the field trip was helpful. They enjoyed learning about art and seeing different types of animals. They were excited to ask questions, feel the different artifacts that were brought, and listened attentively to the stories about each artifact.” -Teacher Evaluation, Grade 3
Museum Visit: Field Trip to the Honolulu Museum of Art
Duration: 1 Hour to 1.5 Hours (depending on museum tour)
"We (teachers) do not have much time to teach the art standards, so having this opportunity for the students to see artwork in the museum, to learn about techniques (like mosaic), art concepts (like texture), and to have a chance to think and talk about what they like and why--is a very valuable opportunity for them." -Teacher Evaluation, Grade K
Post Visit: Art Project in the Classroom
Duration: 1 Hour
After students tour the Honolulu Museum Art, students complete a theme-related hands-on art project. During this classroom visit, the program also serves as a one-on-one workshop for teachers to learn arts education teaching methods from the Ambassador.
“Awesome! We made a clay dolphin. Our Ambassador did a step-by-step demonstration and then broke the steps down to small chunks to guide the students through the project. I had 5 hearing impaired students and I am grateful that they were able to be a part of this. We are so grateful what you present. (The program was) spot on our curriculum! We are covering animal habitats, structure, survival, so the content was well integrated.” -Teacher Evaluation, Grade 1
Professional Development and Evaluation
Professional development is an integral part of the Ambassador Program. Staff promotes workshops for museum and classroom teachers and collects feedback from participants (both teachers and students) via written reflections, student work, and evaluation surveys.
Curriculum Guides
The curriculum guide for the Animals in Art theme includes extensive materials for pre and post visit activities. Click here to download the “Animals in Art” Curriculum Guide.
Program Funding
The Ambassador Outreach Program was made possible by the following supporters:
Atherton Family Foundation
The Ellen M. Koenig Memorial Fund
Friends of Hawaii Charities Foundation
If you are interested in contributing to the Ambassador Outreach Program, please contact Erin Malie Boll at (808) 532-8792.
