Exhibition Education Programs
The Decorative Experience
Art/Social studies, Grades 1-12
Time required: 30-45 min.
Beautiful objects from the world over reveal the universal human desire for expressing aesthetic values. They also reflect the culture, geography, and history of their makers. The program for grades 1-4 emphasizes elements of art and principles of design; for older students, geographic and cultural attributes are also examined. After an introduction, the students explore these topics through a scavenger hunt.
Within the gallery is a significant collection of Chinese Tang Dynasty ceramic figures, as well as other objects from China, including furniture, Buddhist figures, and a replica Qin Dynasty terracotta warrior. An emphasis on Chinese art and culture, especially of the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) is available by request.
Tennessee Social Studies Curriculum
Culture, Economics, Geography, History, Interactions
- 3-5 - 3.1.01, 3.1.02, 3.2.03; 4.1.01, 4.2.01, 4.3.02; 5.1.02, 5.1.03, 5.2.04
- 6 – 6.1.05, 6.2.02, 6.3.02, 6.4.01, 6.4.02, 6.5.03, 6.5.12, 6.5.14, 6.5.16, 6.5.17, 6.6.02
- 7-8 - 7.1.01, 7.3.02, 7.5.02, 7.6.01; 8.1.03, 8.2.03
- World geography – 1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 3.4, 5.2, 6.3
- World history – 1.2, 3.2, 5.4, 4.12, 6.3
- Ancient history – Era 4-1.2, 2.1, 3.2, 5.1
Tennessee Visual Arts Curriculum
- Media, Techniques & Processes
- Structures & Functions
- Evaluation
- Historical & Cultural Relationships



Art/Social studies, Grades 1-12