Grades/Level: Lower Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Middle School (6–8), High School (9–12)
Subjects: Visual Arts
Time Required: Short Activity
20 minutes
Author: J. Paul Getty Museum Education Staff

Activity Overview

The pre-visit video introduces students to the Getty Museum, its collections, and to the interactive teaching style practiced by our educators. As demonstrated in the video(s), students will be encouraged to share their observations and personal reactions to works of art. Self-Guiding teachers may wish to view the video(s) online as preparation for their visit to the Getty Center.

Learning Objectives

Students watch a pre-visit video and discuss their expectations for their visit to the Getty Museum.

Materials

• The appropriate video for your class's grade level, provided in the pre-visit materials sent by the Getty Museum's Education Department.
• What's Up at the Getty? (grades K-5, running time 9 minutes)
• Getty Center Orientation Video (grades 6-12, running time 11 minutes)
• Background Information about the J. Paul Getty Museum information sheet

Activity Steps

1. Ask your students what they think they will see or experience when they visit the Museum. List their responses on the board.

2. Watch the video together. View What's Up at the Getty? for grades K–5, or the Getty Center Orientation Video for grades 6–12 online. If you do not have Internet access in your classroom, please call Visitor Services at (310) 440-7322, and they will get you in touch with an educator who will mail you a copy of the video.

3. Ask students to reconsider their list. After watching the video, ask the following questions:
• Does the list need to be revised?
• What was the most exciting part of the video?
• What did you learn about the Getty?
• How will visiting the Getty differ from other field trips you have taken?