School Programs
Come to the Barnes, or we’ll come to you. Our programs will nourish your students’ imaginations and serve your curricular goals.
Teacher Resources
Looking closely, listening openly, sharing observations—a pre-K–12 lesson with the Barnes Foundation encourages students to have a curious, creative voice. Use the resources below to extend your students’ learning and sign up for teacher emails to stay informed of new opportunities.
Art of Math Challenge
Students in grades 1–12 take on the Art of Math Challenge in teams of three or more. Each submission consists of a 3D model of one of three selected artworks from the Barnes collection and a written statement. The competition culminates with a display of qualifying models at the Barnes’s PECO Free First Sunday Family Day on May 3, 2026. Winners will be announced, prizes will be awarded, and participants will be honored in a grand ceremony! Learn more about the 2026 competition.
Classroom Learning
Our Collection
- Impressionism Lesson Plan for Grades 3–6
- Ensembles Lesson Plan for Grades 4–5
- Impressionism Lesson Plan for Grades 9–12
Special Exhibitions
- Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets (October 19, 2025–February 22, 2026)
In fall 2025, the Barnes—home to the world’s largest collection of works by the self-taught artist Henri Rousseau—will present Henri Rousseau: A Painter's Secrets in the Roberts Gallery. This landmark exhibition brings together important paintings from collections around the world, showing how Rousseau painted with viewers in mind, changing his works and his story to suit their preferences.
Henri Rousseau Slideshow with Images and Discussion Questions