K-12

We offer a variety of learning opportunities for students of all ages. With our deep and diverse collection, students can explore art and ideas from a range of cultures, time periods, and perspectives. Spencer staff look forward to working with you and developing a class visit that meets your learning goals.

K–12 educators can access hundreds of free art-based lesson plans that support a variety of subjects and align with Kansas education standards. The lesson plans are created by Kansas teachers in collaboration with Spencer staff and art educators and incorporate works from our collection. Each lesson plan is supplemented with images, videos, and other digital resources designed to engage students of all ages.

The Spencer’s Lending Collection offers a unique opportunity to interact with original works of art in your classroom. The collection includes more than 300 artworks from the Spencer, ranging from photographs, paintings, and prints to sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics. Objects can be checked out for use in your classroom for two to six weeks.

Collection Cards are a series of trading cards designed to engage K–12 students with art from our collection. Each card features an artwork and a symbol connecting that artwork to a larger theme, such as plants, animals, or places. Cards also include a “secret code” that students can enter on our Collection Cards portal to learn more about the art on their cards, use questions to think deeply about related topics, and discover other artworks. Students can collect cards at Spencer events, including class visits to the Museum.

We provide support to K–12 educators in Lawrence and across Kansas through a variety of professional development programs that focus on integrating art into classroom teaching. Both our Partners in Education Across Kansas (PEAK) program and the Spencer Teacher Advisory Board provide stipends to participating educators.