Free Online Art Learning Resources for Students and Teachers

Check out these free educational programs provided by the National Gallery of Art!

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Pansies in Washington (1969) by Alma Thomas National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Did you know that the National Gallery of Art offers free learning resources and programs for audiences of all ages?

To support teachers, parents and caregivers, and students, our educators created this selection of activities. Use these lesson plans, films, and other materials to explore art with kids of all ages, from preschoolers to high schoolers.

Pansies in Washington (1969) by Alma Thomas National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

1. Art Tales for Pre-K

Ages 4–6

Inspire creativity in your pre-K and kindergarten-aged kids through hands-on art activities and children’s books suggestions . Download coloring pages of works in the National Gallery’s collection for extra fun!

Disponible en español.

Self-Portrait (c. 1630) by Judith Leyster National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

2. Process and product

Ages 10–14

Explore different forms of artmaking and find inspiration to build your artistic skills. This resource features videos with contemporary artists, easy-to-follow explainers for artistic techniques, and lessons for beginner experimentation.

Toussaint at Ennery (1989) by Jacob Lawrence National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

3. Afro Atlantic histories

Ages 14–18

Afro Atlantic Histories: Teaching the Transatlantic Slave Trade . Use art to teach the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies.

This resource, created by the National Gallery and National Endowment for the Humanities, provides art and history educators with inspiration and tools to help students build historical thinking.

Available on both nga.gov and edsitement.neh.gov , it pairs works from the National Gallery’s collection with discussion questions, curriculum connections, and in-depth activities.

May Flowers (2002, printed 2013) by Carrie Mae Weems National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

4. Uncovering America

Ages 5–18

Uncover what it means to be American through art at the National Gallery. Find stories of creativity, struggle, and resilience.

May Flowers (2002, printed 2013) by Carrie Mae Weems National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

This set of resources for K–12 educators features works that reflect the richness and diversity of the people, places, and cultures of the United States.

Four Dancers (c. 1899) by Edgar Degas National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

5. Children’s video tours

Ages 4–18

These 50 video tours allow you to take a closer look together. Explore paintings, people, places, and surprising scenes from distant lands and times.

Check out more educational videos.

Self-Portrait (1659) by Rembrandt van Rijn National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

6. An eye for art: focusing on great artists and their work

Ages 5–12

This family-oriented art resource introduces children to more than 50 great artists and their work. Corresponding activities inspire artistic development, focused looking, and creative writing.

Self-Portrait (1659) by Rembrandt van Rijn National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Discover different periods and themes: Studying Nature , Exploring Places , Examining Portraits , Telling Stories , Observing Everyday Life , Questioning Traditions , and Playing with Space . Individual sections are available for PDF download.

The Judgment Day (1939) by Aaron Douglas National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

7. Look together

Ages 4–18

Use these online conversation starters to connect with art —and with one another. This resource guides you in selecting a work of art, sharing your observations, and making comparisons together.

Disponible en español.

A Girl with a Watering Can (1876) by Auguste Renoir National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

8. NGA Paint 'n' Play

Ages 5 and up

With this game, kids can create their works of art using brushes and palettes from artists in our collection!

We recommend playing on a computer or tablet. If you're using a tablet, be sure to rotate your device to landscape mode.

Native hut at Nassau (1885) by Winslow Homer National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

9. Grades 3 to 5 lessons and activities

Ages 8–11

These expanded lessons connect art with writing, math, science, and history.

Native hut at Nassau (1885) by Winslow Homer National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

For example, in Homer in the Bahamas , students learn about the life of painter Winslow Homer, research possible waterway pollutants, and write a journal entry imagining daily life in this setting.

10. Youtube videos

All ages

Immerse yourself in some of our favorite videos on artists and their creative process. Find Your New Favorite Artist, watch a painter try to create a work by John Singer Sargent, or make your own paper flowers inspired by Berthe Morisot.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

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