The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, provokes curiosity, engagement and reflection about art and the American experience through diverse exhibitions and imaginative programs for all. The Museum’s core collection of American art has continuously evolved to present a more diverse representation of artists exploring the challenging topics and perspectives comprising American identities. The campus includes KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, an interactive family studio that nurtures artistic curiosity in young visitors with hands-on art-making. The Rockwell believes art can be a spark for important dialogue, cultural acceptance and mutual understanding.
Program: Identity and the Artist
In 2003, The Rockwell Museum established a partnership with the High School Learning Center of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District. With the support of The Triangle Fund and others, the Identity and the Artist program was formed. Through the creation of masks, music, movement and writing monologues, students explore issues concerning identity, affording them opportunities to gain greater self-awareness.
This program provides an opportunity for students to gain confidence in themselves through the artistic and social components and to gain an understanding of how a museum can be a resource for academic work and personal growth through the study of art. The program also provides teachers the opportunity to better understand the learning styles and particular needs of each individual student.
Program: Alley Art Project
The Alley Art Project is a unique educational program designed to connect local high school students to both The Rockwell’s collection and their community at large. For over a decade, Rockwell Museum educators have been partnering with the High School Learning Center of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District on the Alley Art Project. Together, we create stunning student-designed and painted murals that use The Rockwell’s collection of art and objects as inspiration. Students work under the direction of Rockwell Museum Education staff and guests artists, in the creation and painting of each mural.
Visit the Alley Art Project website to download a map and scavenger hunt. Explore the murals and downtown Corning by visiting each mural site and finding details within each mural design. The Rockwell believes that public art has the power to bring people together, encourage conversation and ignite the imagination.
https://rockwellmuseum.org/all
Program: Garden of Fire
The Rockwell Museum was the lead organization for this community collaborative program that served approximately 135 students annually from 2013 – 2020. The Garden of Fire (https://gardenoffire.com) was brought together with encouragement from Chris Sproule, former Executive Director of The Triangle Fund and inspired by the Expanded Learning Network of the Southern Tier (ELNoST). The Rockwell Museum, 171 Cedar Arts Center, CareFirst (formerly Southern Tier Hospice), Tanglewood Nature Center, The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes collaborated for many years to bring fun, educational workshops to regional youth centers. Participating youth centers included Addison Youth Center, Laura Richardson Houghton Corning Youth Center, Hornell Area Concern for Youth, and The Corning Salvation Army.
The goal of this holistic program was to educate children about health, art, music and natural science through interactive experiences. The name “Garden of Fire” reflects the gardening and fire ceramics activities that were offered as part of the program. Each component of the program offered students a unique perspective and opportunities which they would not otherwise be exposed to in their communities. It also allowed students of varied backgrounds to work together to learn new skills and create within a safe and supportive environment.
Materials, videos and lesson plans area available to download on the Garden of Fire website (https://gardenoffire.com/g-o-
The Rockwell Museum
111 Cedar Street
Corning, NY 14830
607-248-1489
Contact Information
Amy Ruza, Youth and Family Programs Educator
607-248-1489
