Nurturing Multicultural Voices Through Art

Through a decade-long collaboration between the Fairfax County Public Schools Office for ESOL Services’ Family Literacy Program, National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology, workshop participants of all ages have used museum objects, artmaking, and storytelling to explore issues of migration, belonging, and community-building, while developing empathy, confidence, self-expression, and self-advocacy. You will learn about the research and results of these programs, and leave with a Smithsonian Learning Lab toolkit of resources and activities designed to foster in multigenerational English language learners important skills including visual literacy, public speaking, creative writing, art appreciation, collaborative learning, and advocacy.

Speakers
Beth Evans, National Portrait Gallery
Micheline Lavalle, Fairfax County Public Schools
Philippa Rappoport, Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology