The LSU Museum of Art started a new program this fall to educate White Hills Elementary pre-K through first grade students in art and to inspire them to think critically.
Coordinator of School and Community Programs Lucy Perera heads the program that brings the children to the LSU MOA to discuss different themes each month.
Perera said the idea is to track the students’ progress in their normal classes by exposing them to different art forms and having them form their own opinions of each piece.
Similar programs have been implemented in at-risk elementary schools in Arkansas, and the results included better retention of course material and better test scores, Perera said.
Concentrating on different themes each month exposes the children to many forms of visual art and makes them feel valued when they express their opinions, Perera said.
The first month was an introduction to the LSU MOA, the second focused on water colors and the upcoming month will highlight the different portraits in the museum, she said.
The contemporary works the museum has added, such as the work of Rashaad Newsome, will also be incorporated into the theme of portraiture, Perera said.
Younger students are more receptive to new-age works of art than older generations, so Newsome’s work should resonate with the students, she said.
After learning about the history of the art in the museum, the students then use their creative ambition to create their own works of art, Perera said.
Though the academic impact is important, Perera said the new program will attempt to measure whether regular exposure to art can affect the everyday lives of the students.
While the program is currently in its adolescence, with the addition of more classes comes an increased need for help with the children, Perera said.
“I would love to see more [University] student involvement going forward in the program,” Perera said.
Of the University student interns she has had over the years, Perera said she wanted to hire every one of them, but because of a lack of budget, she has not had the opportunity to hire anyone.
Going forward, the growth of the program will prioritize the hiring of student workers to accommodate the number of elementary school students, Perera said.
“I would love to see more [University] student involvement going forward in the program.”