Education

ArtReach Hospital Program

ArtReach Hospital Program serves patients, from kindergarten to high school, who attend the Hospital School at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Collaborating with the Palo Alto Unified School District, the Museum offers art classes as a free elective at the Hospital School on Friday mornings. Students work with the museum art educator to learn about the history of art, the contributions of specific artists, and the basic elements of art and design. Although the curriculum developed by the Museum covers K-5th grade, the art educator has expanded on the curriculum to challenge the middle school and high school age patients. High school students receive curriculum credit for the art program. Art lessons are the most popular class at the Hospital School. Although many long-term patients develop school phobia and have expressed negative feelings about attending school, most will readily attend art lessons. Teachers find it easy to engage the students during art lessons. At the end of each lesson, students have created art that they can hold, enjoy and share.