Akari in Schools
Akari in Schools is a virtual school program for students in grades K–12. One of Noguchi’s tabletop Akari light sculptures is mailed directly to your school or teacher’s home, and paired with a 45-minute to 1-hour interactive virtual lesson led by a museum educator through the teacher’s preferred video conferencing platform, telephone, or the Noguchi Museum’s Zoom account.
Through inquiry-based discussions and activities, students explore topics related to their classroom’s light sculpture, such as Noguchi’s experiences as a biracial artist, and the cultural influences that contributed to the development of Akari. After the virtual program, the Akari remains on permanent display in the physical or virtual classroom, continuing to inspire students to make connections between art and other aspects of their lives.
Akari in Schools can be scheduled in English or Japanese. Programs are currently being scheduled for October through December 2021. The Akari in Schools kit includes a tabletop Akari light sculpture, a lightbulb, and a teacher’s curriculum guide. One lesson is scheduled per virtual program. Each classroom teacher must complete the application form for their classroom only. We cannot accept multiple classrooms in one application form.
Register Your Classroom
NYC Public Title 1 Schools: Free
The Akari in Schools program is free for all NYC Public Title I Schools.
NYC Public Non-Title 1 Schools: $10
The Akari in Schools program has a materials fee of $10 for all NYC Public Non-Title I Schools.
All Other Schools: $150
The Akari in Schools program has a fee of $150 for all other schools.
Returning Participants
If your NYC public school classroom received an Akari light sculpture as part of the 2020–21 school year’s program, please register here to participate again for 2021–22.
Download the Akari in Schools Curriculum Guide (PDF)
Virtual Noguchi Art
Virtual Noguchi Art lessons are scheduled for microschool, family, friends, and community groups who are looking for ways to connect with art. Join us for a 45-minute live online session where we engage with work by Isamu Noguchi, and then make art or participate in theater games together. All programs are catered to students’ ages and abilities.
The fee is $100 per session, for up to 16 participants (grades K-12). Programs can be scheduled in English, Spanish, or Japanese on Monday through Friday with at least two weeks advance notice. Scholarships are available for a select number of nonprofit groups; contact us at education@noguchi.org.
Themes
Exploring Art Materials
Use Isamu Noguchi’s artwork to inspire material exploration and artmaking. Learn about Noguchi’s creative process and the awareness he brought to his material choices. Then explore art materials as a group and discuss how art can help make connections to our lives. Let us know what art materials you have at home, and we’ll design a lesson based on your interests.
Exploring Character
Use Isamu Noguchi’s artwork to motivate character-building theater exercises. Learn about the sculptures like Miss Expanding Universe (1932), which was inspired by the choreographer Ruth Page, and then investigate how different gestures, movement, and facial expression can create an original character. Participants should bring a pencil and paper for sketching activities and plan for fun theater games.