In-person and online teacher convenings. Register today!

Summer Learning Opportunities

SAAM Teacher Convenings
Tuesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 31

Join SAAM this summer for two rich learning experiences! We invite teachers of all disciplines to engage with SAAM educators, curators, and artists to learn new ways to enhance student learning through American art. We are offering two professional development days—one in person and a second online—that complement each other but can be attended as stand-alone sessions. Attend one or the other, or both! The first session will take place in person in the museum and the second session will take place virtually.

Teachers looking at an artwork through rolls of paper with a link to register..

In-Person Teacher Convening: Exploring Power and Belonging
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m.

Smithsonian American Art Museum
Meet in G Street Lobby
$25 | Registration required

How can art be a tool for exploring power and fostering belonging in the classroom? Join educators and curators from the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a special convening inspired by two exhibitions: Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo and The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture. We’ll explore the galleries before they open to the public, then model interdisciplinary strategies that build inquiry and critical thinking skills through art, and exchange ideas for classroom application.

This program is geared toward middle and high school teachers.

Your non-refundable registration fee of $25 includes breakfast, lunch, and take-home resources.

Glenn Kaino's "Bridge" with a link to register.

Virtual Teacher Convening: Exploring Power and Belonging
Thursday, July 31, 1 p.m. ET

Online
Free | Registration required

How can art be a tool for exploring power and fostering belonging in the classroom? Join educators and curators from the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a special virtual convening inspired by two exhibitions: Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo and The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture. The program will feature a keynote with artist Sonya Clark, whose work is featured in The Shape of Power exhibition.

Panel discussions and interactive sessions will explore how art has been used throughout American history to both reinforce and disrupt power structures, and as an expression of creative freedom, resilience, and belonging.

This program is geared toward middle and high school teachers.

Image Credits: Photo by Mary Tait

Installation photography of Glenn Kaino: Bridge, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2024; Photo by Lucia RM Martino and Tucker Garrison