School visits · Grades 6–12
Class is in the gallery
A visit to a working contemporary art gallery in Newburgh's Historic District. Students meet the artist on screen, see the work up close, then make something in the artist's own method.
Why Holland Tunnel
Not just a tour
How a visit works
Watch, look, make, share
- Meet the artist15–20 min · screening
Students sit down for a short film about the artist: how they work and what they were thinking. When the artist can come, the film leads into a live Q&A.
- In the gallery20–25 min · guided
A guided look at the exhibition. Students find the things the artist talked about and see how the work is made up close.
- Hands-on25–30 min · workshop
An activity in the artist's own method, in the studio space or the garden in fair weather.
- Wrap-up5 min · together
Each student shares one thing they noticed. Teachers leave with a follow-up activity for class.
Larger classes split in two and swap between the screening and the gallery, so everyone gets a closer look.
Meet the artist
On screen, or in person
Every visit opens with a short film made with the artist in their studio: the ideas, the materials and the process behind the work on the walls. The films are captioned.
Each film also lives on the artist's profile, so students can watch again before or after the visit.
Workshops
Made in the artist's method
The hands-on part changes with each exhibition. A few from recent shows:
Eight Hudson Valley painters who work outside in every season. Students sketch from direct observation, the way they do.
About the show →Twenty-four artists building with lost and found materials. Students turn everyday objects into a small sculpture.
About the show →Hybrid instruments made from axes, brooms and tennis rackets. Students design an instrument from ordinary objects.
Meet Ken Butler →For teachers
Ready for your files
Curriculum-linked
Each part of the visit covers one strand of the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts: Responding (the film), Presenting (the gallery walk), Creating (the workshop) and Connecting (the wrap-up), with ties to English, science and social studies.
Lesson plan included
A plan for the visit with objectives, standards, vocabulary, a pre-visit activity and a follow-up for class, ready to attach to your trip request.
Purchasing paperwork
Send us your purchase order and we'll send your business office our W-9 and an invoice that references it. We'll fill out your district's vendor forms if needed.
Questions teachers ask
What does a visit cost?
Rates depend on group size and the program. Ask us, and tell us how your school plans to pay (school budget, Title IV-A, BOCES, PTA or a grant) so we can send the right paperwork.
Which grades is it for?
Grades 6–12. The film, the conversation in the gallery and the hands-on activity are adapted to the age group.
Can the artist be there?
When the artist is available, yes: the film leads into a live Q&A. Otherwise students watch the artist film, and sometimes the artist joins by video call.
How many students can come?
One class at a time. Larger groups split in two and swap between the screening and the gallery.
What if a student has access needs?
Tell us in the booking form and we will plan the visit around them.
Book
Plan a class visit
Tell us about your class. Paulien will reply with available dates, the lesson plan and rates.