+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spirit Mask

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create traditional African art pieces. For this visual arts lesson, students use modeling materials to craft Gabon clay masks that represent beauty.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Art: Ntan Drum

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Art and Community

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore art in traditional African communities, discover how art is used to maintain important social relationships, and draw or write about objects that reflect their own communities.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rites of Passage: Initiation Masks in French Speaking Black Africa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine African cultures through the study of masks in the initiation ceremonies in French speaking black Africa. They analyze masks, and create their own masks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Journey To Africa: Art And Artifacts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a multimedia presentation based on a piece of African Art. They use the art piece to demonstrate the culture and ceremonies of the area in which it was produced. They research facts for a Power Point, write a poem...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visit to Ackland Art Museum (African Masks Exhibit)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders observe and describe the similarities and differences in the African Mask exhibit at the Ackland Art Museum. They use describing words to express the feelings of the masks.
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Common Visions, Common Voices

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan gives students a chance to explore the art and literature of Indians, Africans, Mayans, and Native Americans. Provides plenty of links to photo examples, and activity extension ideas.
+
Graphic
Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago: Benin: Kings and Rituals: Court Arts From Nigeria

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history of the royal art of the Benin Kingdom in Africa. An overview of the art is provided and with further explanation given according to themes. View maps and selected works of art. A video, charts, glossary, and a...
+
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Sister Wendy's American Collection: Ceremonial Drum From the Ivory Coast

For Students 9th - 10th
Webpage describing a ceremonial drum by the Senufro people of Africa's Ivory Coast. Image of art provided as well as an option of a larger version or a detail viewer that can be navigated. Also includes a quote about the art by Sister...
+
Website
Northwestern University

Northwestern University: Collection of East African Photographs: 1860 1960

For Students 9th - 10th
View a sample of a vast collection of photographs taken in East Africa between 1860 and 1960 that is a great resource for documenting all aspects of African life.
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: El Anatsui: Gawu

For Students 9th - 10th
The work of Ghanaian artyist El Anatsui is presented in this on-lone companion to the travelling ehibit of his work created by the Arts Council of Wales.
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: Artful Animals

For Students 9th - 10th
African artists commonly base their work on animals observed in their natural habitats. Artful Animals lets you view African art that takes animals as its subject and inspiration. Learn about animals as symbols in African art, the beauty...
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: Contemporary African Art

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhibition of contemporary African art that pulls together the work of 28 artists from 15 different countries. Read artist biographies, view representative works, and think about two prominent themes that emerge from the collection:...
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art: Big and Small Are Tricky

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhibition that uses African art to explain the concepts of bigness and smallness. In the world of art, big and small can refer not only to physical size but to relative size, to the impression an object makes, or to the largeness of...
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art | African Mosaic

For Students 9th - 10th
Identify and understand this exhibit of African art presented by the National Museum of African Art. A brief video provides and overview of the exhibit. Experience the tour virtually and quiz your observation skills with the Gallery Hunt.
+
Handout
The British Museum

British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Ancient Sudan

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the art of ancient Sudan in this historical overview and image gallery of Sudanese art with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
+
Handout
The British Museum

British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Medieval Sudan

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the art of medieval Sudan in this historical overview and image gallery of Sudanese art with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
+
Website
Other

Musee Du Quai Branly: Indigenous Art of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine a collection of artifacts produced by indigenous cultures Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania in three-dimensions. Includes location maps and helpful commentary.
+
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African American History: Playful Performers

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A past exhibition that offers a fascinating look at the African tradition of mask-making and masquerades. Includes colorful photos and information, to spark children's creativity.
+
Unit Plan
Other

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco: Teachers' Guide to African Art

For Students 9th - 10th
Guide to African art answers key questions of interest to any student of the subject. Covers diversity of the continent's geography and cultures, the functions of African art objects, the aesthetics of African art, and traditional and...
+
Website
University of Iowa

University of Iowa: Art and Life in Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive resource about African art and cultures.
+
Website
University of Iowa

Streaming Videos of Burkina Faso and Ghana

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Dozens of streaming videos to view based on African art and culture. View examples of how masks are used in festivals and ceremonies, how pottery is formed and fired, art that is created for everyday living, weaving on a loom, funeral...
+
Lesson Plan
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Art of Africa

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This educational resource from the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains 216 pages describing numerous pieces of African art with images and lesson plans included.
+
Website
Other

Toledo Museum of Art

For Students 9th - 10th
Located in Toledo, OH. A fine collection of world-famous works of art from various periods throughout history. Although located in a smaller mid-western city, you'll be surprised at what it has to offer.