The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum proudly presents the Learning Through Art (LTA) annual exhibition A Year with Children 2022. On view May 13 through June 6, it showcases over 100 collages, drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, and installations by students in Grades 2-6 from New York City public schools across the five boroughs who participated in LTA, the museum's longstanding arts education program. All works were created in classroom residencies with teaching artists throughout the 2021­-2022 academic year.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, educators and teaching artists addressed ongoing challenges in schools by developing virtual partnerships and engagements. This year, LTA resident teaching artists were animated to get back into classrooms to work with students after a two-year absence, bringing in materials and resources to empower their creativity that were not accessible during remote learning. The results were artworks that reflect on the challenges faced by students during the last two years such as re-establishing connections with others after periods of isolation, forming identity even when most of the face is covered with a mask, and perseverance through the unexpected.

"Creativity is the engine of our city and a birthright for all people. We are honored to feature the creative work of NYC students in our galleries as we have done for 51 years," expressed Cyra Levenson, Deputy Director and Gail Engelberg Director of Education and Public Engagement at the Guggenheim, "Please help us celebrate their unique vision by visiting A Year with Children."

Program Overview

The Guggenheim's LTA program was founded in 1970 by Natalie Kovner Lieberman in response to the elimination of art and music programs in New York City public schools. LTA encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and collaborative investigation at the museum, in the classroom, and beyond, and has served nearly 150,000 children over the last fifty-one years. In the 2021-2022 school year, 11 teaching artists facilitated 16 residencies in 11 New York City public schools. They worked closely with classroom teachers to develop projects that promote visual literacy and connect ideas and themes to the school's curriculum while also emphasizing personal expression and social-emotional learning skills.

LTA immerses students in the creative process, prompting them to view themselves as artists. At the start of the academic year, each student is given a sketchbook, imbuing them with a sense of ownership over their work. Teaching artists guide students in inventive investigations, encouraging them to experiment with new materials and techniques. Throughout the program, teaching artists demonstrate practices similar to those that they use to spark their own imaginations. Students' investigations are also inspired by the art in the Guggenheim's exhibitions and collection. When viewing art, students participate in inquiry-based discussions that elicit careful observation and interpretation.

This year's participating schools are: from the Bronx, PS 86 (Kingsbridge Heights); from Brooklyn, PS 8 (Brooklyn Heights); from Manhattan, PS 28 (Washington Heights), PS 38 (East Harlem), and PS 145 (Harlem); from Queens, PS 219 (Flushing), PS 130 (Bayside), PS 144 (Forest Hills), PS 349 (Jamaica) and PS 317 (Rockaway Park); and from Staten Island, PS 48 (Grasmere).

A Year with Children 2022 is organized by Greer Kudon, Director of School, Youth, and Family Programs; Amy Boyle, Assistant Directorof School, Youth and Family Programs; Michelle Wohlgemuth Cooper, Associate Manager, School Partnerships; Rachel Thompson, Associate Manager, School and Teacher Programs; and Lara Tootleman, Education Associate, School Programs.

Press Release