Art, Identity, Inclusion: Connecting Students with DC’s Contemporary Artists with Disabilities

“Program Schedule:
5 min: Welcome & Introduction
Brief overview of Art Enables and the day’s experience. Orient students to the space and then introduce them to the idea of artists with disabilities and progressive/outsider art.

10 min: Visual Warm-Up
Students play a quick observation-based game in the gallery to spark curiosity and engagement.

20 min: Guided Gallery Tour
Staff and artist leads a tour of the current exhibition, prompting students to respond to what they see, make connections, and ask questions.

15 min: Artist Talk + Q&A
Resident artists share their creative process and answers student questions about their work and experience.

15 min: Creative Reflection Activity
Students complete a drawing or short writing prompt inspired by the visit: “What story would you tell through art?”

5 min: Group Sharing & Wrap-Up
Students share reflections; staff recaps key takeaways.

5 min: Student Surveys / Teacher Feedback Forms
Quick feedback collected to assess student engagement and learning outcomes.

Learning Goals & Objectives:
1. Students will explore original artwork by professional artists with disabilities, gaining exposure to diverse creative perspectives.

2. Students will learn how visual art can express personal identity, community, and lived experience.

3. Students will build visual literacy by interpreting and responding to artwork.

4. Students will interact directly with artists, asking questions and practicing respectful dialogue.
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