Early Visions

Each spring, the Museum reaches into the community to offer this six-week program, which pairs University student docents in mentoring relationships with Boys & Girls Club members. Docents plan curricular, motivational, and creative activities that help students explore the Museum's exhibitions. Together mentors and program participants create individual hands-on art projects, which relate the children's discoveries to their own lives.

Guest artists are brought in to introduce specific techniques, and give the children the opportunity to interact with professional artists. Guest performers and musicians also broaden the appeal of the program by introducing other art forms. This program is an important opportunity in the lives of at-risk youth throughout the city. It gives them exposure to the possible career choices available through the University, as well as a backstage look at the operation of the Museum.

Early Visions Spring Program 2009

Early Visions participants have been working with their University student docent mentors on materials related to the special exhibition, Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village: The Creation of an Architectural Masterpiece, opening fall 2009. Examples of their artwork is on the exhibition blog, Building a Living Legacy, Jefferson's Academical Village. View their creations >

Early Visions Summer Program 2009

Please excuse the disruption! The Museum will be closed for renovation from June through September of 2009. This summer, the Museum will offer free outreach programming to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlottesville in lieu of our regular Summer Arts Academy. Artists and educators from the Museum will travel to each B&G Club location to lead arts activities on-site. For more information, email the Museum's Education Department or call 434.243.2050.