Studio Practice as a Tool for Cross-Curricular Critical Thinking

Studio Practice as a Tool for Cross-Curricular Critical Thinking is a one-week, in‑person Summer Institute for Teachers hosted at the Phillips Collection. Designed for educators across all subject areas and grade levels, the institute uses close looking, inquiry‑driven discussion, and hands‑on studio practices to demonstrate how art can become a vehicle for interdisciplinary learning. Participants engage in repeated cycles of observation, questioning, interpretation, and reflection, exploring how personal assumptions and perspectives shape meaning. The program emphasizes arts‑based strategies that support social‑emotional learning and critical thinking, providing practical tools teachers can bring back to their own classrooms.

When: Monday through Friday, July 13–17, 2026, 10:15 am to 1:00 pm each day.

Run time: The course totals 15 hours: 14 hours of in‑person instructional workshops at the Phillips Collection plus 1 hour of independent work (reading journal articles and completing pre‑ and post‑course surveys).

Tickets: Free admission, but advance reservation is required. Sign‑ups are first‑come, first‑served; use the “Make a reservation” link for the July 13‑17 session to secure a spot.

Ages: Open to educators of all grade levels and subject areas.

Venue: The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.

Credit: Participants can choose from several professional development options: 15 PLU for Washington, DC; 15 points for Virginia (requires pre‑approval); 1 CPD credit for Maryland; or graduate‑level credit through Trinity Washington University for a $125 fee (supports recertification and salary advancement). The course may also be taken not‑for‑credit.

Note: All course supplies are provided free of charge. The institute is part of an educational partnership between the Phillips Collection and the University of Maryland, incorporating the Prism.K12 arts‑integration framework. For additional information, contact Director of Teaching & Learning Hilary Katz at hkatz@phillipscollection.org.