Museum Visit Essay

This assignment asks you to visit a museum and evaluate works of art. You are strongly encouraged to plan for and conduct your visit early, leaving sufficient time to write your analysis.

 Part I: Museum Visit

Review Prebles’ Ch. 13 “Evaluating Art” before visiting the museum. This chapter may offer insight into different ways you can think critically about works of art.

Visit a local fine art museum. You should plan to be there for approximately 3-4 hours. Remember to bring only pencils and a notebook to record your notes. (Pens are often not allowed as there is the potential for irreversible damage from stray ink marks.)

Take notes on the art you encounter: on how you would describe it, on your impressions while viewing it, and on your overall experience in the museum.  You should have notes on at least 3 distinct works of art. If the museum has an interesting architectural design, take notes on it as well.

Take photographs (if allowed) and gather any promotional or educational materials that are available.

Part II: Essay

Write a 1,050- to 1,750-word essay that discusses your experience at the museum and that art you observed. Discuss your overall experience as well as your reaction to at least 3 different works of art. You may include the museum’s architecture as one of the 3 works of art. For each piece of art you evaluate, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Provide a basic description of the artwork and how it was created. Include images if possible.
• Explain what you believe is the intended message, whether the art successfully conveys that message, and whether it is worthwhile. You may include the artist’s statement or other information that the museum provides, but you must explain why it is relevant to your interpretation.
• Be honest in your observations and reactions, whether positive or negative.

Format your paper according to APA writing guidelines, including proper citation of any material from your visit to the museum.