INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCTION: Students are required to physically visit one art museum and write a 700-800 word paper in Modern Language Association (MLA) style. This should be a narrative in which you discuss your experience and prepare a critical analysis of one work of art from the museum’s collection. Do not copy and paste information from the museum’s Web site.
Respond to the following prompts in your paper. If you need assistance finding an appropriate museum, please don’t hesitate to contact your instructor. This paper must be formatted in Modern Language Association (MLA) style and typed in a 12-point standard font, such as Arial or Calibri.
ART MUSEUM EVALUATION
Identify in your opening paragraph the name of the museum, city and state where it is located, hours, cost of admission, and name of the director.
Permanent collection: What type of art does this museum collect (i.e., American art, ancient Roman art, etc.)? Identify some works on display. Are the labels easy to understand?
Events and exhibitions: What special events and exhibitions were going on at the time of your visit? What future events and exhibitions are planned?
Museum store: What is sold in the museum store? Are the prices reasonable?
Location: Is the location of the museum easily accessible from major freeways? How is the parking situation?
Other amenities available to the public: Do they have an education program? What types of classes and lectures do they offer? Is there an eating area? What types of assistance do they offer individuals with special needs? Is it child-friendly? What types of membership programs are offered? Were the staff members and docents helpful and knowledgeable? Feel free to ask the museum staff and docents some of these questions!
Provide various images of the museum and artworks in your paper that apply to your content. Include at least one image of you at the museum (either inside or outside of the museum). Be sure to check the museum’s photography policy. Sometimes taking photos in certain areas of the museum is not permitted. In addition, refrain from using your flash as light can damage artwork!
ARTWORK ANALYSIS
Select one work of art from the museum’s collection and write a critical content and formal analysis using the following format. It might be necessary to visit the museum’s website to find additional information. (Be sure to properly cite it!) The analysis should be at least 150 words, included in the total word count of the paper.
Student Name
Date
Course #, Section #
Module Number
Title of Artwork
Artist
Date Completed
Dimensions
Current Location of Object
Image or link to image of object
ICONOGRAPHY
-Briefly describe what you see.
-Mention figures, objects, other visually identifiable aspects of the work, and identify symbols.
MEDIUM AND TECHNIQUE
-Of what material is the artwork made?
-How did the artist construct it?
FORM
-Note Formal Elements that make up the artwork: line, color, shape/mass, texture, light/dark, use of perspective.
-Explore the Principles of Design: balance, focal point, rhythm/repetition, scale/proportion, unity/variety.
-How does the artist guide your eye through the artwork?
INTERPRETATION
-Taking all of the above into consideration, particularly the subject matter, identify the historical context of the work of art. What was going on in history during this time?
-What does this image reveal about the social, political, economic, historical, and ideological conditions of the period in which it was created?
-What does this work of art reveal about society during this period in history?
LIST SOURCES
-At least 2 credible and scholarly sources, excluding text
-Use MLA style for in-text citations and Works Cited
