Maximizing the Museum Experience: Tips for Successful Field Trips

Michelle Harrell, MAEd, NBCT (EAYA-Art)

After 13 years teaching middle and high school art, Michelle Harrell left the art room to work at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) where she now serves as Director of Teaching and Learning. Her work at the NCMA has built upon her master’s thesis research entitled "Interactive Technology: A Tool for Student-Centered Instruction in Middle School Art Education." Michelle developed the "Flipped Museum" distance- learning model to create a more active student-centered learning experience. She believes technology has great potential to deepen learning and increase access to the arts and museums.

Carole Henry, EdD
Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Art Emeritus, The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia

Carole Henry has helped lead NAEA SummerVisionDC with Renee Sandell since its inception in 2010, the same year that NAEA published her book, The Museum Experience: The Discovery of Meaning. Its focus is on the museum as a catalyst for critical thinking, reflection, and understanding. Carole believes that the acquisition of skills people need to be able to first, choose to visit art museums, and second, respond in depth to works of art, is directly dependent upon strong art education programming in schools as a valued partner in museum education. She has long been interested in the field of art and museum education and has published numerous articles and book chapters addressing the art museum as an educational and interpretive site.

Renee Sandell, PhD
Art Education Consultant, ForThCo Vision LLC
Program Director, NAEA SummerVision DC

Renee Sandell is founder/director of the expeditionary, museum-based NAEA SummerVision DC Program which she has delivered since 2010. She has previously served as Director/Professor of Art Education at George Mason University (2004-2014) and Professor of Art Education at Maryland Institute College of Art (1990-2003). Co-author of two books on gender issues, Renee has published numerous articles, book chapters, and art curricula. A 1980 NEA Fellow, she is also the recipient of the 2019 NAEA Lowenfeld Award, and has served as a Distinguished Lecturer in Art Education at Miami University, and the 2013 NAEA National Art Educator. Renee has received numerous awards for her leadership and scholarship on her Form+Theme+Context (FTC) ® and her Marking & Mapping®, an accessible form of visual meaning-making. Her Visual Fitness 4 All® for Engaging Creativity and Insight® workshops nurture envisioning skills for individuals within professional development programs, organizations, health spas, businesses, and other venues.