Animals of Ancient China
All subjects and grade levels

During a virtual tour of our current exhibition, Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes, students will learn about the roles animals played in daily life and rituals during the Chinese Bronze Age. Students will compare ancient animals to modern animals, then create their own portraits of animals that are important to them.

Women Warriors of China
Social Studies and ELA teachers

Our exhibition Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes explores the ritual significance of ancient Chinese bronzes. Students will study the Chinese Bronze Age, learning how bronzes connect art to traditions, celebrations, and culture. Students will then explore the tomb of Fu Hao, a woman warrior unique to Chinese history, and the bronze and ritual tools discovered in her tomb, studying gender roles and societal traditions throughout China's history and modern culture. The lesson ends with a creative writing activity for students to share their new learnings.

Ancient Times to Modern Art: Chinese Ritual Bronzes
Art teachers

Students will take a virtual tour of our current exhibition Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes, studying the materials, shapes, and purposes of ritual bronzes. Students will consider how bronzes have influenced other art forms in China, and connect art to traditions, celebrations, and other cultural elements. Students will then participate in an at-home art activity, using items they can find at home.

Buddhist Zen Gardens
Social Studies and Art teachers

Using Miya Ando's installation Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form as an anchor, students will engage with an introductory presentation on Buddhism, learning key understandings specific to Japanese culture. By analyzing Miya Ando's art, inspired by a Zen rock garden at the Ryōanji temple in Kyoto, Japan, students will apply their learning to design their own Zen rock garden using materials foudn at home.