Special programs
VIEWFINDERS
The VIEWFINDERS program is an IMA school program initiative currently active in many IPS and Washington Township classrooms. All over the city, teachers are engaging students in discussions about art. VIEWFINDERS gives children a chance to share their ideas, build new perspectives and learn to disagree respectfully.
VIEWFINDERS also provides students the opportunity to visit the IMA in the spring with their class to exercise their new skills in front of genuine works of art.
The VIEWFINDERS program uses VTS, or Visual Thinking Strategies, a facilitated discussion method created by VUE (Visual Understanding in Education), which utilizes visual art to simulate conversation that leads to growth in critical thinking, observation and other cognitive skills.
For more information about the VIEWFINDERS program or VTS, contact the Manager of Teacher and School Programs at education@imamuseum.org.
Educator Sneak Peeks
Get a sneak peek of the newest exhibitions at IMA by attending one of our biannual Educator Sneak Peeks. Held in conjunction with the opening of special exhibitions in the spring and fall, Educator Sneak Peeks provide educators the opportunity to: see an exhibition before it opens to the public, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, participate in mini-workshops and take away materials and resources on the exhibitions.
Educator Sneak Peeks are free to all educators, but an RSVP is required (Educator Sneak Peeks are only open to educators). Contact the School Services Specialist at schooltours@imamuseum.org to put your name on the list for the next Educator Sneak Peek!
Collaborative Arts Partnership
Support for the 2006–2007 program is provided by USA Funds.
The Collaborative Arts Partnership (CAP) provides after-school arts programming to students ages 5 through 17 by connecting the skills, staff and resources of Indianapolis-area arts and social service organizations. Initiated by the IMA in 1999 in response to requests from city schools, CAP serves approximately 200 students per week at several schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools district, at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and in the IMA’s Art Labs.
CAP addresses the need to provide quality arts experiences to all children and offers students a chance to explore their talents and develop new skills in the visual and performing arts. Among the objectives of CAP are building self-esteem, encouraging positive attitudes about school, developing creative problem-solving skills and promoting positive group interaction. CAP also provides programming that allows students to explore the relationships between subjects such as math and music, science and art and language and theater.
Between October and May, weekly classes are offered at each CAP site. Classes meet between 3 pm and 6 pm and have a maximum of 15 students. The program is free to those who attend selected IPS schools. For more information, contact Community Art Programs department, 317-923-1331 x228.
CAP Program Goals
- To offer school-aged children in the Indianapolis Public School system expanded opportunities in the visual and performing arts
- To provide schools with additional support in the arts during after-school hours
- To prepare curriculum that supports IPS goals and objectives through interdisciplinary, theme-based programming
- To encourage school-aged children to develop new skills in the arts and to perform or demonstrate learned activities
- To create programs that will have a positive impact on the overall educational experience
- To organize a group of local cultural organizations that can share resources as they develop new after-school initiatives
- To encourage parents to develop interest in and support for arts education
CAP Partner Organizations and Schools
The Collaborative Arts Partnerships brings together arts organizations and individual artists to provide programming for selected IPS schools. During the 2006–2007 school year, CAP was a partnership among the following organizations:
Asante Children’s Theatre
Offers instruction in theater arts at Washington Irving School 14 and Stephen Foster School 67.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Host of the CAP program’s annual performing arts celebration.
Iibada Dance Company
Offers instruction in dance and performing arts to students at Key Learning Community
Indiana Repertory Theater
Offers instruction in theater arts at Center for Inquiry and Otis E. Brown School 20.
Indianapolis Civic Theatre
Offers instruction in theater arts at Cold Spring School
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Offers visual arts instruction to the Pacers Academy Alternative School and at The Center for Inquiry, Key Learning Community, Cold Spring School, IPS Schools 14, 43, 67, and 20. Host of the CAP programs annual visual arts celebration.
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Provides classroom assistants, conducts class registration, attendance records, supervises and partially funds transportation and provides snacks.












