Experiencing works of art in a museum : a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts

Abstract

Extra curricular activities in our schools have always included visits to various museums. Such visits require planning beforehand. It takes phoning up the museum to inform of the visit, it requires preparatory work in the classroom, explanations at the museum itself and a follow up activity in the class. The need for an organised package that can assist both teachers and students alike at all levels has long been felt to render museum visits more fruitful. Education in the Arts in Malta is gaining momentum, yet much is still to be desired. The Museums Department has room for special art educators to be permanently assigned to perform the job recommended in this study. Very little material is available to assist our students to benefit from the unique experience of encountering an original work of art. The responsibility remains on the teachers to perform this task to the best of their ability.