Sample Curriculum for Visual Arts Program

Good Art Ideas

1. Decorate boxes or pots

2. Pastel drawings, colored pencil- draw to musical rhythm.

3. Watercolor paintings

4. Charcoal rubbings of leaves, etc

5. Tie-Dying t's

6. Decorating picture frames

7. Painting ceramic tiles

8. Make stationary: holiday, birthday, etc.

9. Masks- skit?

10. Illustrate poems

11. Illustrate music

12. Drip paintings

13. Magnets

14. Large mural- group collaborative

15. Puppets- skit?

16. Pipe cleaner sculptures

17. Paper Snowflakes- This is a very popular thing I do with all ages. It
requires paper, scissors and a little tape.

18. 3D paper stars- Also, very much fun. Paper, scissors, stapler, and tape.
19. Stain Glass looking paper lanterns. Construction paper, tissue paper,
recycled jar, and a small voltive candle.
20. Twig Wreath- This is a nice holiday craft. Twigs, dried flowers, floral
wire, scissors some sort of wire, or wire coat hangers.

21. Circles: Using large white paper, tempra paints and markers, we had the
students think about the concept of circles. We explored different types of
circles: different colors, designs, patterns etc. Each student composed about
4-5 painting/drawings of circles.

22. MY Portfolio: Today the class made their portfolios for their semester
artwork. We constructed portfolios out of poster board and decorated them
with paints, markers and collage elements. We had the students think about
things that represent them. We talked about different images that could
depict their lives: favorite foods, colors, hobbies etc.

23. Paper Mache Pumpkins: We took the class outside today to do Paper
Mache! Each student got one large balloon and we did an intense Paper
Mache project covering the balloons with strips of newspaper. We used a
cooked flour and water paste to make the glue. These Paper Mache balloons
would eventually be painted to be Halloween pumpkins.

24. Pumpkin Painting: Today we did the second half of our Paper Mache
project. They students each got their balloons and we painted them like
pumpkins. Students were encouraged to decorate them however they chose,
they did not have to look like the conventional pumpkin.

25. String Painting: We brought in elastic string and paints for students to
explore different techniques of string painting. Each student made a number
of different compositions. We also had them bring in other found objects to
use as a medium for painting. We went outside to gather sticks and leaves to
paint with.

26. Fall Collection/Thanksgiving: Today we had the class think of the

concept of fall. We brainstormed images and colors that remind us of fall
and we made Fall Collection Collages using cut out magazine images and
paint. Students were also thinking about Thanksgiving images.

27. Cookie decorating: This was our final class for the semester and we
brought in sugar cookies and frosting to decorate cookies. We had assorted
shapes and colors for the students to decorate with. There were also different
sprinkles and toppings to decorate a plate of cookies for the holidays!
28. MANDALA: Using the round mandala form, clients create their own
mandala using media such as pastels, colored pencils or colored pens. Or
alternatively: Create a past-present-future mandala using three circles, one
within the other.

29. CLAY: Clients make a clay animal, real or imaginary that represents
some aspect of themselves.

30. CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY: Choose one or more Chinese words

representing character traits such as honesty, peace, balance etc. Draw the
words and decorate them.

31. TIME LINE: Clients draw a line, it can be horizontal, vertical, circular
or any other shape. Map out key events with words, symbols or pictures.
Include the future in the time line, to give perspective on how much time lies
ahead.

32. BEST DAY/WORST DAY: Have client divide a piece of paper in half
and draw their worst day on one side; best day on the other side.

33. MOSAIC: Using colored paper or cut up magazine pictures have clients
create a mosaic.

34. WORDS: Have clients choose words that represent how they feel and
put them down on paper. Can use words from magazines or write their own
and decorate.

35. MASKS: Using a mask form clients decorate the masks with paints and
other media, such as glitter, fabric, shells, feathers etc. Alternatively: Clients
draw the outside of the mask as what they think people on the outside and
the inside of the mask, what the clients see themselves.

36. SELF-PORTRAIT: Similar to mask project but can be done without

mask forms. Create a self portrait on a piece of paper. Alternatively: Clients
fold the paper like a greetings card. On the outside they draw or write what
they believe people see, on the inside they write or draw what they believe is
the truth.

37. BOX: Using a shoe box or similar small cardboard box client decorates
the outside as the image they present to the world. The inside is what they
really feel about themselves. Clients do not have to show the inside of the
box to anyone of they don’t want to. Alternatively: Can create a box in
memory of someone or for client to commemorate themselves. Inside the
box, put special objects.

38. BEACH OR NATURE PROJECT: Go to the beach and create art in

the sand with shells, seaweed, rocks etc. Take pictures if desired.
Alternatively: Go out in nature with a sketchbook and draw something they
find beautiful or interesting.

39. GOOD/BAD PROJECT: Using disposable cameras ask clients to take

picture of contrasting things. Eg. Police Cars, Juvenile Hall, Trash Cans vs.
happy dog, cute cat, beautiful sunset. Once the pictures are developed
choose a pair of opposites and display. Alternatively: Can use magazine
pictures

40. CHINESE ANIMALS: Using the Chinese horoscope, identify which

animal each client is according the Chinese horoscope. Discuss the character
traits of each animal, clients can decide whether they agree or disagree.
Client than draws their animal. If they disagree with their animal they can
choose another animal.

41. BALANCE YIN/YANG: Using the Chinese Yin/Yang symbol as a

basic structure. Client picks an area of their life that is out of balance and
creates a yin yang to represent the imbalance. On the front of back of the
picture they identify the imbalance and what would be necessary to correct
it. For instance: Getting High/Sobriety. Violence/Peace. Discuss balance and
ways to achieve a healthy balance.

42. HOLIDAYS/SPECIAL EVENTS: Can develop many projects along

these lines. Eg. Valentines day – self love; Easter – new beginnings, rebirth;
Thanksgiving – areas of abundance in our lives; Halloween – facing our
inner struggles, etc..

43. MULTICULTURAL PROJECTS: Using different ethnic themes a

multitude of art projects can be created. For instance Chinese dragons are a
very powerful symbol representing protection and strength. The group can
create their own dragon on a large scale as a group project. Can also use
designs from any other culture to create beautiful murals or individual
pieces.
 44. BEADS: Clients make their own jewelry or objects such as wall
hangings, mobiles, decorations etc. using a variety of beads, can also use
shells, rocks, etc.

Curriculum & Art Projects for Youth and Elderly

While working with youth I created a curriculum that children would be able
to relate to. We created work by using materials that were accessible and
familiar. I have noted certain projects hat I feel would translate well for
adults and elderly. The following projects were successful.

• JOURNALING
If resources are available have client keep personal journal or sketchbook.
Encourage it as a safe place for client to express their feelings.

• MULTICULTURAL PROJECTS
Using different ethnic themes a multitude of art projects can be created. For instance
Chinese dragons are a very powerful symbol representing protection and strength.
The group can create their own dragon on a large scale as a group project.
Can also use designs from any other culture to create beautiful murals or individual
pieces.

Collage

Using old National Geographic and other magazines that have images that
are colorful and have a large variety of topics are the best for children. Have
them cut out images that they like. You can give them ideas such as favorite
foods, animals, colors, seasons, nationalities, holidays etc. Once they have
looked through the magazines, the next step is cutting out the images. It is
helpful to have them cut out the entire page so it is easier to maneuver the
scissors around the image that they want to cut out. Then they can cut out
the image. Make sure to demonstrate cutting. Have them use small scissors
and go slow, moving the whole paper around the scissors to get a precise
cut. Cutting is difficult for kids so it is important to have them practice. It is
helpful to have examples of both a "not very good" cut-out and then a
"better" cut-out to show them why it is important to take their time. When
we did our collage, I had them cut out many images and shapes first, then
have them play around with the images on a flat surface or cardboard. I
talked about Pop Art and showed them examples of collages that told
stories, or that simply created interesting compositions where the images
related to one another. Some of the children thought it was fun to create
monsters with heads of one animal and bodies of another. The last part of the
project is to glue the images down. A glue stick is the best thing to use, it
keeps the paper flat and allows the image to be moved if they want to change
something around in their composition. To finish, once they have glued
everything down I let them paint over it with Modge Podge, a great glue that
dries transparent and acts as a sealant that is non-toxic. Modge Podge is
relatively inexpensive and old magazines can be collected from the library
for free or from Art from Scrap for a few dollars.

*Another idea that could be used for older children, teens and elderly is to
have the subject of the project be memory based. This is relatively vague but
depending on what age group you were working with you could focus on
something in their life like a memory, a special event, an accomplishment, a
hope for the future, a dream, or basically anything that exercised a cognitive
faculty. I think that this idea could be translated into many different art
projects using a number of mediums.

Blindfolded Painting

One of my favorite projects that is really successful with children and for
myself to teach, was "Blind-Folded Painting." Have the kids pair up into
two's. One starts as the painter who is blindfolded and the other is the helper.
Set up large poster size paper on the wall at about eye level for the children
(eye level so that they can stretch their arms both up and down to paint).
Each duo has two pieces of paper, one for each child. The painter has to tell
the helper what color they want and the helper gives them the color and
paintbrush then guides their hand to the paper. They are free to paint
whatever they want but they can't peak because it ruins the fun! They LOVE
this and you'll be surprised with who ends up creating masterpieces. When I
did this with my kids the children who were rather introverted and
uninterested in art during the year completely opened up. One girl danced
with the brush, creating long horizontal strokes across the paper. You can
guide them by telling them to try to paint certain things like a person or a
flower. When the pieces were finished they resembled paintings by Jean-
Michel Basquiat and other Neo-expressionist painters from the 80's. Show
them a book that has photos of Basquiat and/or other graffiti artists.
Feet Painting

Kids love to dip their feet into things! Put different colors into low buckets
on the floor. Make sure you have towels by the paints and also by buckets of
water to wash off each color before they use another. Put down large sheets
of paper. The kids use one color at a time, get their feet covered and walk on
their paper to create patterns with their feet. They love this project. Make
sure to warn them about slipperiness and getting paint on their clothes. I
demonstrated first, as some of the kids were hesitant to get their feet dirty.
They need to use one color at a time and only paint on their own paper! This
is one of my favorites!

*Although feet painting would not be the best technique to bring to elders, it
could be translated into hand and finger painting. One concern is that elderly
may have nerve disabilities, like tremors or other muscular disability. This
needs to be taken into consideration. However, it may be therapeutic to still
try to use their hands on a soft flat surface. Painting abstractly will also
illuminate the pressure of trying to depict an object or figure. Another
version of this is using other materials as your "paintbrush." Twigs, strings,
tooth brushes, feathers and whatever else you can think of can be used in
place of a paintbrush to create different lines and shapes and patterns. This
may be a good alternative to using one's extremities!

Guided Drawings

For children and elderly, guiding a drawing, line-by-line is very effective. I

have guided children through many drawings and they come out amazingly.
For children, it is useful to put a drawing on the chalkboard or easel in front
of them and talk about the shapes and technical concepts using references
and terminology that they relate to, pointing out shapes that may look like
letters of the alphabet or smiley faces, rainbows, triangles, etc. I like to tape
the drawing up on the board, then tape a blank piece of paper next to it and
re-draw it step by step. In doing this, you will end up with 15 of the same
drawings. That's why it is important to give them time to tell you what else
THEY could add to the picture. The benefit of doing this is that the children
take away at least one technique every time. When I've done this in the past,
children think they can't do the drawing. But after we walk through it, they
can go home and draw the same thing on their own. This teaches them about
line, and continuing a line on a piece of paper. Children tend to make a little
dash marks when they are trying to draw, instead of one or two continuous,
bold lines. Teaching confidence in your drawing abilities is really important,
and something I learned in college!

* I think that this technique could be used with elderly. I have not attempted
to do this, but learning the basics of drawing is a fundamental in learning
how to make art. I believe, like our children, our elderly would be pleased
with their work when they realized they could complete a technical
drawing.

Art Group ideas from Richard Yusim

1. Self Portrait Collage Books - Create your own small book from
recycled paper then decorate and fill it with images all about you!
Collect images from anywhere that show who you are, what you like
and what’s important to you. Participants will learn and apply various
collage techniques in their books.

2. Fine Art Gift Cards- Learn various drawing and painting techniques
and then create cards to be given to family and friends. Participants
will first practice and view demonstrations of various techniques with
a variety of media. Each participant will have 10 cards with envelopes
to have fun with and share with others.

3. Mixed Media Mural Project- Choose a theme with your friends

(landscape, city scene, ocean picture etc.) and create a large scale
mixed media picture to display in a common area. Participants will
learn a variety of techniques with numerous materials and contribute
their individual ideas to the mural project.

4. Frottage/Wax Resist Pictures- Learn the instant art of Frottage,

combine them with watercolors and watch what happens! Participants
will experiment with frottage by finding surfaces in their
environments and seeing what they can create when combining their
wax crayon images with watercolor paints.
5. Homemade Percussion Instruments- Create your own percussion
instrument from everyday materials such as bottle caps and various
other caps, bamboo pieces, drift wood etc. Participants will collect
their materials, design, assemble and decorate their own instrument to
jam with friends!