Philadelphia Museum of Art Education Committee
Lynne Honickman and Marla K. Shoemaker, The Kathleen C. Sherrerd Senior Curator of Education, serve as co-chairs of the Education Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which serves as an advocate for education within the Museum and the Greater Philadelphia region.
The committee also has the role as an educational organization within the community. One of the goals of the Education Committee is to engage the public in a way that makes the collections and resources more readily accessible to a broad and diverse audience of all ages. The Museum is accomplishing this through five initiatives:
- Supporting the Arts in K-12 – offers children many opportunities for learning, reflection and self discovery. More than 80,000 students throughout the region participate annually in Museum activities and over 3,000 teachers take part annually in Museum workshops.
- Expanding College Experiences – the Museum is a key resource for regional colleges and universities. Education staff members work with faculty to design tours and programs, with courses ranging from introductory classes to advanced seminars in specialized fields.
- Partnering with Community Organizations – both large and small to help make Philadelphia a world-class city. Through creative programming that reflects the diversity and interests of its residents, the Museum hopes to inspire and educate its many citizens.
- Ensuring Accessibility – people with disabilities or age-related limitations are welcomed into the Museum through a wide variety of programs and services. A front-line staff that receives regular training in helping visitors with disabilities is always there to assist.
- Enhancing Lifelong Learning – encounters with art enliven the mind and awaken the creative spirit. The Museum offers family and adult audiences many opportunities to engage with art, tailoring strategies to the needs and interests of a wide spectrum of ages and experiences.