February 13, 2003 - The National Gallery of Art 2003 Teacher Institute will focus on storytelling and the visual arts. The six-day seminar, held during July and August, will explore the connection of storytelling to learning and the ways teachers can use art objects with storytelling activities in the classroom.

The first half of the program will emphasize decoding and interpreting narrative works of art, building language arts and critical thinking skills in the process. The needs of elementary school teachers and their students will be addressed through the reading and telling of stories that relate to artists whose subject and style have special appeal to young audiences. The last three days of the program will be an intensive hands-on tutorial in which participants tell their own stories about art by creating short electronic movies--a format with special appeal to middle and high school students. The electronic component of the program builds on earlier technology initiatives offered through the Teacher Institute and furthers the Gallery's commitment to helping teachers study and teach the visual arts using computers and online technologies.

Two six-day sessions will be held at the Gallery and at other Washington locations: Session 1: July 14 - 19, 2003 and Session 2: July 28 - August 2, 2003. $200 per person. This fee covers the cost of instruction, books, and other program resources.

Participants will be selected through a rigorous application process. Applications are due March 15, 2003. Access http://www.nga.gov/education/storyworkshop.htm for complete information!