Children can learn about a wide variety of art at school, from drawing and painting to basic art history. However, given the focus on realistic techniques, modern art is one style that can get overshadowed. Yet modern art is actually one of the best styles for young students to discover in their elementary and middle school years, since there are many ways to interpret each piece. Here’s a brief introduction to modern art and how you can introduce it at home or in school.
What Is Modern Art?
Modern art is the term for an exciting artistic period that occurred between the 1860s and 1970s. During this time some artists broke with traditional styles to experiment with color, shape, materials and perspective. The term actually covers a series of movements, including Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and of course, Pop Art. Each movement had its own style, but shared a willingness to challenge convention.
How to Teach Kids About Modern Art
Getting kids excited about modern art can start with a single painting or a simple art project. The methods below can spark an interest and help children develop creatively.
Choose an Artist for Each Modern Art Movement
As we have previously discussed, learning about famous artists builds confidence in kids. Fortunately, you won’t have to look far to find celebrated artists across every modern art movement. A fun introduction for children is to pick an artist for each movement, such as Monet for Impressionism, Picasso for Cubism, Dalí for Surrealism and Warhol for Pop Art. You can discuss an artist’s life and show one iconic piece per artist.
Teach Modern Art With Color and Shape
Visual elements are a good entry point into modern art. Using artists like Kandinsky or Mondrian, you can ask children to describe how they feel when they look at vibrant, colorful works and abstract shapes. As they start to think about the relationship between colors, shapes and emotions, you can introduce a color mood board and get children to pick colors based on a feeling.
Turn Museum Visits Into Interactive Experiences
During a museum visit, you can encourage kids to become more engaged through simple games. For example, you could let them hunt for a painting featuring only three colors, or one using no straight lines. Another option is to let them lead you through the museum, giving their impressions of artwork that stands out to them.
Try Hands-On Modern Art Projects
Once children are familiar with a few art movements, try this art lesson for kids and have them reimagine one of their earlier drawings in a modern art style. They could turn a more traditional sketch or painting into a bold Pop Art design or Surrealist interpretation to see how style alone can change the feeling of a piece.
Try Our Free Modern Art Lessons for Kids
Golden Road Arts creates art content for elementary and middle school students. From modern art movements to famous artists, our tutorials and instructional guides help children build creativity and hands-on skills. Call (503) 718-7097 or browse free art lessons.
