The Blanton’s university programs offer numerous opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with art. University programs range from student internships to interdisciplinary class tours for Austin area college students. The Blanton’s diverse permanent collection allows for learning, teaching, and scholarship in a variety of disciplines.
While campus is closed and faculty are offering remote and online learning, the Blanton Education Team is available to support instructors with additional resources.
UT’s Blanton Museum of Art and the Leadership and Ethics Institute jointly extend an invitation to all students to enjoy an interactive, self-guided exploration of the museum’s galleries. Featured works of art will activate reflection on themes of community and “servant leadership.”
Respond to guiding prompts! Make choices! Look closely at a diverse range of visual expression. After thinking about the themes of leadership and community, you will be invited to share your ideas through the creation of a symbolic image. All materials will be provided—just bring your cell phone to the Blanton and use the QR code to get started. Share the experience with a friend.
The Leadership and Ethics Institute is part of the Office of the Dean of Students and provides leadership development opportunities to all students at the University of Texas. The Blanton Museum of Art is located at the southern edge of campus on MLK Blvd; it presents a varied program of temporary exhibitions, as well as permanent collections of Latin American, European, and Modern/Contemporary art. We are excited about this new collaboration that demonstrates how works of art can embody important ideas about leadership—and get students thoughtfully, creatively, and playfully engaged with images and big ideas.
Faculty from astronomy, classics, English, geography, history, Latin American studies, mathematics, medicine, music, pharmacy, political science, religion, social work, Spanish and Portuguese, and numerous other departments regularly use the Blanton as an extension of the classroom. Blanton educators are available to help design customized class sessions in the galleries or Print Study Room that enhance student understanding of course content and achieve desired learning objectives. Sustained close looking, open-ended questioning, and active learning techniques are employed to advance critical thinking, problem solving, oral communication, visual literacy skills, and to practice mindset skills.
There are many ways to integrate original works of art into teaching and learning in other disciplines. A visit to the museum can provide cultural context, exemplify ideas and concepts encountered in class, teach visual literacy, introduce methodology, or provide a focus for student assignments and projects.
Download more information about teaching with art.
University BrochureTo schedule a class visit, please complete our online request form. Please allow at least three weeks’ notice for customized class sessions designed by the Blanton’s professional educators.
Schedule Class VisitAs both the campus art museum and the largest public art collection in Central Texas, the Blanton acts as an interface between university and community audiences. The Blanton frequently presents public programs such as gallery talks and musical performances designed to showcase the intellectual and creative talents of UT faculty and graduate students. Faculty expertise, as well as graduate student research, also routinely shape the interpretation of collections and exhibitions.
The Graham Williford Fellow for University Engagement works with the Blanton’s educator for university audiences to develop object-based gallery lessons that connect art to ideas and issues explored in the students’ academic courses. The fellow also supports faculty outreach to promote curriculum based-teaching initiatives at the museum. For more information about the application process click here.
The Blanton welcomes you to host events, ranging from lectures, to symposia, to festive receptions and exclusive black-tie dinners in the Michener Gallery Building and Edgar A. Smith Building. A variety of spaces are ready to suit your needs in the Blanton Museum’s beautiful new home. University functions often qualify for special discounted rental rates. Our state of the art spaces and convenient location on campus make the Blanton a great place for your next meeting or department function. For more on facility rental, please contact the Blanton’s Special Events Manager Stacey Hoyt, at stacey.hoyt@blantonmuseum.org or (512) 475-6516
