LEARN
LEARNING RESOURCES¬
Welcome to our laboratory of ideas. We're here to help you become a more inspired creative, no matter your age, stage, or station in life.
Dig into the resources below—make art with your children, hear from the artists themselves, or get inspired by our Community Cookbook of Comfort. Here you can get many of the Museum experiences, right at home.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Family & Children Activities
Looking to Learn
These program guides are designed to accompany our family program, Looking to Learn.
Children ages 3–8 and their caregivers join us each month to look, learn, and make in response to themes from our current exhibitions. This program includes close-looking at artwork, reading of a storybook and a making activity inspired by the theme.
VIEW PROGRAM GUIDES
Community Responses
Community Cookbook of Comfort
Inspired by our food-themed suite of exhibitions—Nourish, American Appetite: Selections from the Chrysler Museum, Real Food Films, & Open (C)all: Food and Memory—Virginia MOCA invited Hampton Roads cooks, bakers, and makers of all ages and skill levels to share recipes of comfort.
Audio Tours
Tune in to what's on view
Learn more from artists about selected works currently or previously on view. Accessible through your internet-connected device. Look for the headphones icon and QR code on gallery labels and enjoy.
Conoce más sobre obras seleccionadas de las exposiciones actuales a través esas audioguías narrado por los artistas, el personal de Virginia MOCA, y miembros de la comunidad. Accesible desde sus dispositivos personales, las audioguías están disponible en inglés y español. Simplemente busque el icono de los auriculares y el código QR en las etiquetas de la galería durante su visita, o haga clic abajo para accederla aquí en nuestro sitio web.
Virtual Student Art Start
Learn from Katherine Custer, Manager of School and Educator Programs, by looking closely at three works of art from our previous exhibition, Shifting Gaze: A Reconstruction of the Black and Hispanic Body in Contemporary Art.
Guerrilla Girls: The Art of Behaving Badly
On August 5, Frida Kahlo, founding member of the Guerrilla Girls, joined us on Zoom to talk about art, their book The Art of Behaving Badly, activism, and more. Check out highlights here, including a Q&A.
Nourish Artists: Deep Dive
Each of the 12 artists from our exhibition, Nourish, shared a bit about their process and collaboration with local food experts in a documentary shot by Jeremy Bates that aired on WHRO. Watch clips of each artist here.
From Calabar to Chesapeake: The Nigerian Roots of Virginia Cooking
Join James Beard Award winning culinary historian Michael W. Twitty on an exploration of historic Virginia foodways and their roots in what is now greater Nigeria and surrounding regions. We will discuss the foodways of this region and the impact it made on Virginia and the larger world of Southern food through Virginia migrants.
LEARN
STUDIO PROGRAMS¬
Students in a class
ABOUT IN-PERSON STUDIO PROGRAMS¬
Welcome to Studio Programs at Virginia MOCA. No matter your age or experience, we’re here to help you embrace your inner artist and enjoy exceptional and exciting hands-on art experiences inspired by the art in our galleries. Engage with a variety of artists, creative media, techniques, and themes to produce contemporary artworks filled with meaning.
For the safety of our community, masks are required throughout the Museum for all visitors age 3 and up regardless of vaccination status.
We are asking all in-person studio program attendees to self-screen for symptoms prior to attendance. Please fill out this FORM.
*Class sizes limited. Masks required for all sessions.
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS¬
The Cohen Memorial Fund at Virginia MOCA offers a number of scholarships for children and teens to participate in art education. Everyone deserves to express their creativity. Through these scholarships we hope to provide an understanding and appreciation of the arts to anyone with an interest—regardless of financial situation—and to recognize and encourage artistically gifted individuals.
UPCOMING CLASSES
ADULTS
MASTER CLASS WITH MEGAN ANGOLIA
DATE Saturday, March 5, 2022 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
In this workshop, you’ll hear from the artist how to sculpt an expressive face in clay and learn to capture the anatomical components of a person's likeness by sculpting a face in dynamic expression.
MASTER CLASS WITH AGNES GROCHULSKA
DATE Saturday, February 12, 2022 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
In this workshop, hear from the artist herself as she reveals her open, intuitive approach to sketching from life through a variety of exercises in gesture and contour drawing.
CONSTRUCTING IDENTITY
DATES Thursday, February 17, 6:30–9:30 PM
Thursday, February 24, 6:30–8:30 PM
Thursday, March 3, 6:30–7:30 PM
You’ll use sculptural and functional ceramics to creatively apply a variety of hand-building techniques and underglazing methods to create a personally symbolic work of art.
NARRATIVE VESSELS: TELLING STORIES THROUGH LAYERED IMAGES
DATES Sunday, February 13, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (students bring packed lunch)
Sunday, February 20, 1:00–3:00 PM
Layer personally symbolic imagery using ceramic printmaking techniques to create a narrative vessel and examine how Shaping Memories: Expressions in Clay artists Ehren Tool and Hollie Lyko use layers to obscure and reveal their own recollections.
FAMILIES
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGES 3–8
PLACES AND SPACES
DATE Saturday, February 19, 2022 10:30–11:30 AM
Join us in the galleries to examine the place-based work of Made in VA artists Shara Appanaitis and Riley Goodman, then combine painting, printmaking, and other processes to represent a special space of your own!
Pricing includes supplies for one adult and one child.
Learn More & Sign Up
PRE-K
CHILDREN AGES 2–5, WITH A CAREGIVER
THE GREEN LIFE
DATE Saturday, February 5, 2022 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
We’ll explore our galleries to find nature-inspired artworks by Made in VA artists Caitlin Blomstrom and Gregory Hennen, then capture the elements of nature through monoprints, liquid watercolor, and found object stamping!
ART ON THE GO
DATE Saturday, March 5, 2022, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
This sensory-based class encourages creative play and material research to create a portable and modifiable work of fiber art perfect for kids on the go!
AGES 6–8
MARK MAKING: A MICRO INVESTIGATION
DATE Tuesday, March 1, 2022 4:30 PM
Examine the marks of Made in VA artists Suzanna Fields and Sarah Boyts Yoder, inspect synthetics and organics under the microscope, and experiment with an unconventional variety of materials to create reduction prints and mixed media paintings about the world up close.
MAKING WITH MEMORIES
DATE Saturday, February 26, 2022, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Assemble an engaging multi-media installation that explores the concept of memory with clay, found materials, ink, paint, and pastels.
AGES 9–12
INTRO TO CONTEMPORARY ART
MULTIPLE SESSIONS Sundays, February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2:00–4:00 PM
Uncover the themes, techniques, and materials exhibited in the galleries at Virginia MOCA, and discover the why behind the creation of contemporary art. Immerse yourself in the professional practices of a contemporary artist to conceptualize, workshop, and implement ideas through 2D and 3D art.
AGES 13–17
IDENTITY INVESTIGATION
DATE Saturday, February 26, 2022 1:00–3:00 PM
Exercise creative exploration and critical thinking skills to distinguish how aspects of appearance, personality, culture, and more contribute to the personal and social self by combining found materials, drawing, and painting to produce a wall-mounted installation.
ARCHETYPE CORNER
DATE Wednesday, February 16, 2022 4:30–6:30 PM
Engage with exhibiting artists Agnes Grochulska and Russell Richards to identify how symbols, expressions, and environments can be used to cultivate meaning in art. Enhance understandings of setting and character design and develop your own ideas through drawing and painting.
SUMMER ART CAMPS
Now Accepting Summer Art Camp 2022 Proposals
Educators, Virginia MOCA is now accepting proposals for Summer Art Camp 2022. Art Camp will be in session from July 11–August 19, 2022 (six weeks total).
Payment Instructor payment begins at $25/hour for teaching plus a half-hour of preparation per class per day.
If you are interested in offering a camp, please submit your proposals no later than Thursday, January 27, 2022.
You may also submit a proposal by following the below link and completing the ONLINE FORM (preferred).
Please feel free to contact Education Coordinator Kendall@virginiamoca.org with any questions at all. We look forward to hearing from you!
Summer Art Camp
2022 dates Coming soon!
Enroll your young artist in Summer Art Camps with Virginia MOCA! Children and teens ages 6–8, 9–12, and 13–17 will enjoy captivating and unique hands-on art experiences led by knowledgeable art educators. Campers will engage with a variety of artists, creative media, techniques and more through exciting and memorable art activities.
*Masks are required for all in-person sessions. Each in-person camp is limited to 10 participants.
STUDIO SCHOOL POLICIES
Registration & Studio Policies
Register online, by telephone, or in person. Tuition must be paid at the time of registration. No student is considered registered until all fees are paid. We cannot make confirmation calls, however students are notified in the event of a cancellation.
Registration deadline is 5:00 PM, seven days prior to the course start date unless otherwise noted.
Refunds
Refunds are available only if a course is cancelled by Virginia MOCA due to low enrollment. Students cancelling enrollment before the registration deadline (7 days prior to the course start date) will receive a tuition credit voucher which can only be applied to another class at Virginia MOCA.
Payment
Currently, Virginia MOCA is only accepting payment by credit/debit card online or over the phone and Tuition Credits from previous Studio School sessions. To apply Tuition Credits, call 757-425-0000 x338 or email Kendall@virginiamoca.org.
Scholarships
Financial aid scholarships are available thanks to The Cohen Family Memorial Fund. Registrations for approved scholarship applications will be made by MOCA staff. You can also email Kendall@VirginiaMOCA.org or call the education department at (757) 425.0000 x338 for more information.
Additional Policies
- Adult classes are for students ages 18 and up
- Adult students provide their own materials unless otherwise noted
- Virginia MOCA attempts to reschedule any course that is cancelled
- Substitute instructors may be hired without advance notification
- Minimum enrollment for all courses is seven students unless otherwise noted
- Most classes are held at Virginia MOCA. See course descriptions for exceptions
- Studio activities may be photographed for Virginia MOCA promotional use
LEARN
PUBLIC PROGRAMS¬
New Waves 2018 Juror Cay Sophie Rabinowitz and exhibiting artist Todd Webb.
FOR ADULTS
COFFEE + CONVERSATION
Join us for a casual conversation exploring current exhibitions, led by Virginia MOCA staff and guest lecturers. This program is free and registration is required. Join us for our next program:
Coffee + Conversation with Agnes Grochulska, February 10
INSTAGRAM LIVE
Join Heather Hakimzadeh, Curator, for a conversation with past and current Virginia MOCA exhibiting artists. Guest artists will give us a look inside their studios, share current projects, and discuss process and inspiration. Find us on Instagram @virginiamoca. Tune in to an upcoming Lives
Instagram Live with Marisa Stratton, February 17
MASTER CLASSES Spend the day in the studio with an exhibiting artist for a master class inspired by their artistic viewpoint and process. This unique and personal experience is a fabulous way for participants to have a one-on-one interaction with a contemporary artist. Upcoming master classes:
Master Class with Agnes Grochulska, February 12
Master Class with Megan Angolia, March 5
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
A changing schedule of programming inspired by our current exhibitions featuring artists, community members, and experts such as panel discussions, gallery talks, and other unique opportunities.
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
LOOKING TO LEARN: ART AND STORYTIME
Children ages 3–8 and their caregivers are invited to join us each month as we look, learn, and make, in response to themes from our current exhibitions. This live streamed program for families will include close-looking at artwork, reading of a storybook, and a making activity inspired by the theme.
Looking to Learn encourages valuable social emotional skills that help children build and develop greater empathy, understanding, and respect for their peers and community. This program is free, however registration is required through our events page. Upcoming programs:
Looking to Learn, January 30
Looking to Learn, February 27
FAMILY FEST
Family Fest offers a unique opportunity for all ages to create, explore, and connect with art. Join Virginia MOCA as we celebrate our current exhibitions with inspired artmaking, gallery activities, and more. Upcoming:
ARTlab
ARTlab is an interactive gallery space for all ages. Explore the main themes and ideas found in our current exhibitions through making, sharing, and personal connections.
LEARN
EDUCATION PROGRAMS¬
MUSEUM TOURS
Schedule a virtual or in-person tour with a Virginia MOCA educator. Tours use a selection of works from our current exhibitions to foster close observation, critical thinking, and rich discussions that support learning standards through an inquiry-based approach. Tours can be designed for all age levels.
TEACHING WITH ART
Professional development workshops, created for educators of all grade levels and subject areas, are specially designed to connect teachers with contemporary art and artists. Workshop themes and focus change according to each exhibition. Please contact Katherine Custer, Manager of School & Educator Programs, for details.
LEARN
GALLERY VOLUNTEERING¬
Our volunteer gallery teachers give their time each week to help students of all ages make meaningful connections to contemporary art. Through our inquiry-based approach to teaching, gallery teachers help foster close observation, critical-thinking, and rich discussion on tours of our current exhibitions. As part of their training, gallery teachers regularly attend guest speaking events, curator-led content overviews of the exhibitions, and workshops dedicated to exploring art education methodology. Gallery teachers are also expected to assist with leading a few school tours each month and make a pledge to at least one year of volunteer service.
For those interested in learning more, you may contact Katherine Custer, Manager of School and Educator Programs at katherine@virginiamoca.org or by completing the form below.
EXPLORE MORE¬
Join/Give
Make art your thing
Get to know our community—there’s a little something for everyone.
LEARN
Summer Art Camp
Keep your kiddos engaged as the beautiful summer days grow longer. Ages 6-17 can explore their artistic side with oodles of class offerings—from digital art, skateboard design, to sculpture, collage, drawing, painting and more.
Exhibitions
Explore the Galleries
Learn more about the current exhibitions, dig into our archives, or see what is coming up next. As an ever-changing Museum there is always something new to explore.