School programs at the National Portrait Gallery inspire students to learn about the men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States. The Portrait Gallery is the only museum of its kind in the United States to combine aspects of American history, biography, and art.
Students will participate in an interactive, themed gallery tour facilitated by specially trained Gallery Educators. These programs are standards-based and complement curricula in art, history, social studies, and language arts.
The Portrait Stories program also includes related hands-on experiences in the National Portrait Gallery’s Education Center. Students participating in this program will return to the classroom with a product of their experience.
Gallery-tour–only programs are one hour long. Portrait Stories programs are 60 or 90 minutes long.
All school programs are available from October to May of each academic year, except where noted.
Orientation Video, For Teachers
Orientation Video, For Students
Portrait Stories Grades Kindergarten–3
Delve into history! This engaging and highly interactive program brings young students face to face with significant Americans. From discussing the portrait and listening to an age-appropriate biography to creating a related hands-on art activity, students gain firsthand knowledge about fascinating individuals.
Note:
Portrait Stories programs are 60 or 90 minutes long. The 60-minute Portrait Stories program is for groups of 10–30 students and includes looking at ONE portrait, reading the biography, and completing the art activity. The 90-minute extended program is for groups of 10–60 students and includes the above as well as looking at an additional FIVE portraits in the collection.
Highlights of NPG Grades 4–12
Who invented the light bulb? Who founded the Special Olympics? Who coined the term “The Gilded Age”? Visit the National Portrait Gallery to find out. Bring your students in to learn more about those individuals who shaped America with this interactive tour.
(Work with us to identify the most relevant individuals for your class.)
America's Presidents Grades 4–12
The National Portrait Gallery is proud to hold the only national collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. The images in this exhibition lie at the very heart of the Portrait Gallery’s mission to tell the stories of those who have shaped America’s story.
Movers and Shapers: Early America to the Civil War Grades 4–8
From the colonial era to the end of the Civil War, individuals have shaped their own times. Here, we present the politicians, reformers, authors, soldiers, and others who have changed the course of American history.
Note: The teacher may choose to have a 60-minute or a 90-minute tour.
The Struggle for Justice Grades 6–12
This program showcases major cultural and political figures—from key nineteenth-century historical figures to contemporary leaders—who struggled to achieve civil rights for disenfranchised or marginalized groups.
Temporary Exhibitions
Americans Now Grades 4–12
Portraiture continues to be a thriving art form in America. This program will take a look at two of the Portrait Gallery’s exhibitions dedicated to contemporary portraiture—“Americans Now” and “Twentieth-Century Americans.” Students will examine the art in these exhibitions and discuss the artists’ different approaches to their subject matter.
Phone: (202) 633-8503 FAX: (202) 633-8521
E-mail: NPGEducation@si.edu Mailing Address:
Office of Education National Portrait Gallery P.O. Box
37012 Washington, D.C. 20013-0712
REGISTRATION PACKET
Please use the printable registration packet for all school programs, and be sure to include all required information. The application should be emailed to the address above.
Registration packet (doc)
EXPLORE NPG IN YOUR CLASSROOM Take a look at past issues of this NPG newsletter for ideas on how to integrate portraiture into the classroom.
Phone: (202) 633-8503
E-mail: 
