Education & Public Programs
THRIVE
Your gift to the THRIVE THROUGH ART campaign helps bring art making activities and programs that spark creativity and support social and emotional health to our community.
Our Purpose
The Education and Public Programs Department transforms lives through life-long engagement with the arts.
Our Programs
- Expand and deepen engagement with the Harwood collection and exhibitions
- Support equitable access to transformative arts experiences
- Connect audiences with diverse practicing artists
- Rely on rigorous, relevant, and intentional curriculum and teaching
- Contribute to a thriving social, emotional, intellectual, and creative life in Northern New Mexico
Photo Credit: Sam Joseph Photography
Images courtesy of Harwood Museum of Art.
School Tours
The Harwood welcomes teachers and their students for educator guided museum experiences. All tours are led by Teaching Artists and include a 45-minute museum visit and a 45-minute art making activity. Guided tours are available Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Self-guided tours are available during regular museum hours, Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-5pm.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Harwood Education is offering two thematic school tours, both aligned with National Common Core and Visual Arts Standards, New Mexico State Core Standards, as well as SEL Core Competencies. All tours are guided by Teaching Artists and include a 45-minute museum visit, and a 45-minute art making activity.
Exploring Self: On this SEL-focused tour students will explore how artists express their identity, cultural background, and values through visual art. This year we are learning about Luchita Hurtado, a Venezuelan-born American artist whose paintings and drawings explore the connection between human beings and the natural world. (September 25 – February 21)
Storytelling Through Art: Students will develop their visual literacy skills while working on understanding and communicating emotion through the language of art, by exploring the work of modern Santero Nicholas Herrera. Born and raised in El Rito, New Mexico, Herrera is a folk artist who uses storytelling through illustration as a way to process difficult events in his life. (September 25 – May 30)
All tours are aligned with National Common Core and Visual Arts Standards as well as New Mexico State Core Standards, SEL Core Competencies and Studio Habits of Mind.
Teen Programs
Artists ages 13-19 collaborate with Harwood Education to curate programming by teens for teens. Monthly open art labs create space for teens to explore the museum, make art, and cultivate new friendships with teens across Taos. Join us at Frist Fridays, exhibition openings, and other community events!
Adult Programs
Harwood Education and Public Programs curates a variety of adult education opportunities including tours, lecture series, gallery talks, films, concerts, and art-making workshops. Become a Member and enjoy a 20% discount on all programming.
Family Programs
Harwood Education is committed to supporting and engaging families through accessible and engaging art programming. Every Sunday the museum is free to Taos County residents and families are invited to spend quality time enjoying art together. Harwood Join us for family-friendly community events like the annual Lighting Ledoux holiday tradition and Community Day events with interactive art making and activities for all ages.
The Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center
The Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center is a dedicated area for art-making programs housed in a sun-filled space that was once the living room of the original home of Burt and Lucy Harwood. In addition to the studio, the Sidney and Gladys Smith Children’s Art Gallery offers an extension gallery where student art can be showcased. Taos’ original children’s library, part of the Harwood Public Library from the 1920s to the 1990s was once housed in the studio. Thanks to the generosity of Orin and Stephanie Smith the studio has been restored to its original splendor and named for Stephanie’s grandmother, the beloved Taos schoolteacher, Fern Hogue Mitchell.
Contact Us
For more information or inquries please email education@harwoodmuseum.org