The Birmingham Museum of Art has introduced “Culture Bridge: eLearning Across Asia,” a platform of digital teacher resources that uses art to enhance and inspire everyday learning.
Published: May 2, 2020
By: Lori Chandler Pruitt
Made possible with a grant by the Freeman Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of Asian culture, this initiative provides web tools that allow teachers and students to learn about art from all parts of Asia through educational videos, art activities, and interactive images.
“We are proud to offer these digital resources intended as a medium for teachers to easily integrate visual art into their curriculum. This platform is designed to foster and enable closer understanding and appreciation of Asian culture through a free and highly accessible way,” says Angela May, assistant curator of education at the Birmingham Museum of Art. “By offering these resources to the public early, the BMA enables parents, students, and teachers alike to take advantage of these eLearning tools during the time they are away from the classroom.”
The Birmingham Museum of Art holds a vast collection of Asian art, representing many regions and cultures across thousands of years. It collaborated with a team of local teachers to ensure that the digital exercises and activities aligned with current curriculum standards and classroom needs.
Among the offerings are STEAM-based lesson plans that link the museum’s collection to relevant academic subjects; interactive images which allow students to explore the symbolism and meaning of a specific work of art; educational videos which review the history of an object; and art activities that encourage students to explore their own creativity and artistic abilities.
Many of these resources are now live on the museum’s website, learn.artsbma.org. Over the next several months, additional content will be published on the platform, including lesson plans and additional videos.