art class assignment ideas

• 50+ Creative Art Project Ideas For College Students

By: Author The GenTwenty Team

Posted on Last updated: December 13, 2023

Categories College

Art class in college is a time to expand your palette and try new techniques! Here are well over 50 creative art project ideas.

Embarking on  art projects  is not just a way to fill the time between college lectures and exams; it’s a crucial element of personal and educational growth for  college students . Creativity thrives when minds are given the freedom to explore, and art projects offer a unique avenue for this exploration.

As part of art education, art teachers love making projects as part of their lesson plans, whether for college or high school students. It’s a fun way for art students to show what they have learned and express themselves.

Engaging in various  creative projects , whether a passion project or a calling, can enhance an individual’s ability to think laterally, solve problems imaginatively, and express complex ideas visually. These artistic endeavors are not limited to the tangible benefits of improved  artistic skills  but extend to bolstering academic performance and personal well-being.

As the canvas of college life stretches out, students are encouraged to paint their paths with broad strokes, dabbling in a medley of  art ideas  from traditional  painting techniques  to digital expressions in  graphic design . Every student has the opportunity to craft a unique  art portfolio , develop a rich tapestry of skills, and weave their narrative through  creative expression .

In this blog post, we will cover a plethora creative art project ideas for college students to try. Make note of what speaks to you!

50 Creative Art Project Ideas For College Students

Here are 50 creative art project ideas suitable for college-level students:

• Create a self-portrait using abstract shapes, colors, and textures to represent different aspects of your personality. Use white paper and oil pastels or acrylic paint or do something more creative and use only materials from the natural world on black paper. The options are endless.
• Gather random objects and create a sculpture by assembling them in a unique and interesting way.
• Create a collage using photographs, combining and layering images to tell a visual story.
• Utilize 3D printing technology to produce a sculpture or object that explores form and structure.
• Design an installation that engages viewers and encourages them to interact with the artwork.
• Experiment with digital painting using software like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate. Create a virtual bulletin board for a collaborative art project.
• Transform old books into works of art by cutting, folding, and adding your own illustrations.
• Build a sculpture that incorporates movement or responds to external stimuli.
• Create a stop-motion animation using objects, drawings, or clay figures.
• Combine traditional artwork with augmented reality elements using AR apps.
• Construct an art installation using recycled materials to highlight sustainability.
• Experiment with body painting and use the human form as a canvas for photography.
• Design a mosaic using tiles, glass, or other materials to create a visually stunning piece. Take a field trip to local spots and gather materials.
• Explore alternative printmaking techniques like monoprinting, cyanotype, or linocut.
• Use projection mapping to transform the surfaces of objects or buildings with dynamic visuals.
• Create a large-scale installation using ceramic pieces to explore form and texture.
• Craft a sculpture using natural materials like branches, leaves, and stones.
• Experiment with creating a sculpture by making a cast of a part of the human body.
• Keep an art journal documenting your creative process, thoughts, and visual ideas.
• Design an artwork using typography as the primary visual element.
• Develop a virtual reality art experience that immerses viewers in a digital environment. This is a creative way to blend technology and art.
• Create an art installation that involves auditory elements and explores the relationship between sound and visual art.
• Build a detailed miniature world inside a box or container.
• Create poetry by selecting and rearranging words from existing texts, newspapers, or books.
• Stage a live art performance, incorporating elements of theater, dance, or music.
• Experiment with graffiti art techniques, either on canvas or an approved outdoor space.
• Use wire to create intricate sculptures that play with form and negative space.
• Develop a series of fashion illustrations that showcase your unique style.
• Explore the art of glassblowing to create intricate glass sculptures or vessels.
• Combine various materials like fabric, paper, and found objects to create a mixed media collage.
• Experiment with long-exposure photography and light sources to create dynamic and abstract images.
• Create an installation using textiles and fabric to explore texture, color, and form.
• Develop a project that focuses on conveying a conceptual idea through various mediums.
• Take your sketchbook to the streets and create drawings or paintings of urban scenes.
• Collect sounds from your environment and compose a piece of music or an audio installation.
• Create a performance art piece and document it through video. Video project require another set of skills as well but video is highly profitable skill in today’s world.
• Build a shadow box that tells a story or explores a theme using three-dimensional objects.
• Develop a series of landscape paintings exploring different techniques and styles.
• Use augmented reality apps to enhance street art and create interactive experiences.
• Use your body’s movement to create drawings or paintings, capturing the essence of motion.
• Create maps that illustrate personal experiences, emotions, or imaginary worlds.
• Produce an experimental short film that incorporates unconventional storytelling techniques.
• Experiment with fabric dyeing techniques, such as tie-dye or shibori, and create printed patterns.
• Weld or manipulate metal to create sculptures that explore form, balance, and structure. You could even make cookie cutters and then make cookies from what you’ve created for your college art project.
• Design and illustrate your own book, exploring both the narrative and visual aspects.
• Develop a photography series that explores a specific concept or theme.
• Create temporary art installations in natural settings using materials found on-site.
• Design and print your own textiles, exploring pattern and color.
• Create artworks that explore personal or societal views on body image and self-perception.
• Develop an art project with therapeutic goals , addressing personal or social issues through creative expression.

These art project ideas are diverse and can be adapted based on your interests, preferred mediums, and artistic style. Feel free to combine or modify these ideas to create unique and meaningful art projects for your college-level coursework.

Unlocking Your Creativity

College serves as an expansive canvas for young artists, offering an environment brimming with new experiences, diverse perspectives, and stimulating challenges that are tailor-made to fuel the creative fires.

It is in this unique academic setting that  college students  can harness their life experiences and academic learning as sources of inspiration to funnel into their art.

To tap into this wellspring of creativity, students are encouraged to maintain an open mind, engage in campus activities outside their comfort zone, and utilize their coursework as a muse for their artistic endeavors. Trying new mediums and techniques, such as  digital art ,  sculpture , or  printmaking , not only broadens their artistic repertoire, but also cultivates adaptability and innovation in their creative expression.

Embracing the variety of art supplies and  art workshops  available on campus can further expand their horizons and augment their artistic skills, pushing the boundaries of their usual creative processes. By immersing themselves in college’s vast pool of opportunities, students open the doors to discovering fresh  art ideas  and new ways of  creative expression , setting the stage for a rich and vibrant artistic path.

Budget-Friendly Art Ideas

Embarking on creative endeavors in college need not drain your finances. A thrifty approach to art can involve  recycled materials , such as repurposed cardboard, discarded magazines, and reclaimed fabrics, to not only save on costs but also add unique textures to your projects.

Scouring  thrift stores and yard sales  can unearth affordable art supplies and unexpected materials. Additionally, many art stores offer  student discounts , allowing you to access quality resources without the hefty price tag. Be on the lookout for community  art swaps or exchanges  where you can trade materials with peers.

Embracing a DIY ethos can also inspire you to create your own supplies, for instance, mixing your own paint colors or crafting sketchbooks from recycled paper. The university’s art department may have resources like  free workshops  or a reuse center, offering an economical gateway to expand your artistic repertoire.

Here Are Some Art Projects for Beginners:

• DIY Canvas Painting:  Experiment with simple paint techniques like sponging or finger painting to create abstract designs on canvas. This is a relaxing way to start with painting while learning color theory and composition.
• Papier-Mâché Sculpture:  Create sculptures using recycled newspaper and glue. It’s an accessible project for beginners and helps understand three-dimensional forms.
• Basic Printmaking:  Use everyday objects such as leaves or cut potatoes to practice printmaking. This teaches pattern-making and the basics of ink application.
• Recycled Art:  Reuse materials to build an eco-friendly art piece. It’s a great way to learn about sustainability in art and can involve anything from plastic bottles to old clothing.
• Photography Project:  Start with a smartphone or a basic camera and capture themes like ‘A Day in the Life’ or ‘Urban Landscapes’. It helps beginners understand framing and lighting.
• Sketching and Drawing:  Begin with pencil sketches focusing on still life or outdoor scenes to hone observation and hand-eye coordination.
• Basic Digital Art:  Utilize free digital drawing tools to create artwork on a computer or tablet. It’s an important skill set for modern art practices and encourages understanding of digital mediums.
• Mural Painting:  Collaborate on a group mural project utilizing simple shapes and colors to contribute to a larger piece. This helps with planning and executing larger scale works.

Here are Examples of More Advanced Art Project Challenges:

• Large-Scale Mural Painting:  Tackle the grandeur of public art by engaging in a mural project that requires planning, collaboration, and a mastery of painting techniques.
• Interactive Sculpture:  Challenge both technical and conceptual skills by creating sculptures that require viewer participation or integrate mechanical elements.
• Advanced Printmaking Series:  Delve into the complexities of printmaking with a series of related prints that explore advanced techniques such as intaglio or lithography.
• Complex Mixed Media Installations:  Push the envelope with an installation that combines various media and engages with the exhibition space in immersive ways.
• Conceptual Photography Project:  Develop a photography project with a strong thematic focus, requiring in-depth research and a sophisticated approach to visual storytelling.

Another Idea: Collaborative Pieces and Group Projects

Working together on a collaborative art piece  can significantly enhance the experience of creating and learning for college students. Such projects not only merge diverse perspectives and artistic skills but also foster a spirit of community and cooperation.

For instance, a  mural painting  involving multiple student artists can transform a bland campus wall into a vibrant tapestry of collective expression. Similarly,  sculpture installations  made from recycled materials encourage students to discuss environmental themes and develop problem-solving skills as a team.

Another inspiring group project could be the creation of a large-scale  mixed media piece , where each participant contributes a segment that reflects personal narratives or cultural backgrounds, ultimately weaving a story that is bigger than its parts.

By participating in such endeavors, students learn the vital role of teamwork and shared creativity in accomplishing artistic visions and projects.

Displaying Your Artwork

Once you’ve poured your heart into a piece, finding the right platform to share it can be just as rewarding. An excellent starting point is a  digital portfolio , where you can curate and display your work professionally. Websites like Behance or your personal site can serve as a great showcase for potential employers or art schools.

Students should also take advantage of  college exhibitions , which not only provide a legitimate space for your artwork but also offer a chance to receive feedback and network. Additionally, social media platforms have become indispensable for artists today, offering a broad audience and engagement opportunities.

Don’t overlook local coffee shops, libraries, or community centers either; they often have space dedicated to local artists. Remember, the act of presenting your art to the public is crucial – it’s a bold statement of your creativity and a significant step in your artistic journey.

Digital Art and Tech Integration

The intersection of art and technology opens up a new realm of possibilities for college students eager to expand their creative toolkit. Digital art tools and software, such as Adobe Photoshop for photo manipulation, Illustrator for vector graphics, and Procreate for digital painting on tablets, provide students with the means to push the boundaries of traditional art forms.

Blender can be used for 3D modeling and animation, while Unity offers an introduction to the world of game design and art. Encouraging the integration of technology in art not only enhances the creative process but also prepares student artists for a digital-centric professional landscape.

By blending traditional painting techniques with graphic design, or incorporating digital elements into sculpture and printmaking, students can create mixed media masterpieces that are unique and innovative. Embracing the digital dimension in art projects allows for endless experimentation and growth in both artistic skills and technological proficiency.

Reflections Through the Canvas

Art projects during college not only serve as a form of creative expression but also play a significant role in personal and professional growth. As you embark on various art endeavors, taking the time to reflect on your artistic journey can be incredibly rewarding.

Documenting your progress through journals, blogs, or visual portfolios allows you to witness your evolution as an artist. This practice isn’t just about preserving memories; it’s a proactive approach to developing your artistic skills and creating a body of work that can be instrumental in your portfolio development.

Such a portfolio can open doors to future opportunities and serve as a testament to your dedication and talent. So, continue to push boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and most importantly, keep creating. Remember, every piece you create is a step towards mastering your craft and cementing your unique artistic voice.

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18 Awesome Art Projects for Your Classroom

Making art projects happen in the classroom. Here are 18 awesome art projects for kids that have stunning results. You’ll find ideas to create inspiring art with kindergarten all the way through fifth grade. Plus, you’ll find ways to connect art projects to literature and science standards to bring learning full circle.

Art Projects

1.  Super Easy Dandelion Art Project  – A quick two-step painting project that students could totally handle on their own as a center activity or with little support.

2.  Printed Flowers Collage Art Project  – Here is a printed flowers art project for  first grade . Students will combine what they learn about famous artists like O’Keefe and Warhol to create a collage of flowers in a field.

3.  Cloud Art for Kids  – A Georgia O’Keefe inspired painting of clouds with blues, pinks and purples along with 21 other fantastic clouds for kids resources.

4.  Black Glue Landscapes Art Project  – Create a black glue -outlined landscape art project for third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade students. This project uses paint and black glue to create a very smart looking finished product.

5.  Kandinsky Inspired Project  – A  Kandinsky-inspired art project that is perfect for first graders. Students will use paint, construction paper and string to create a masterpiece that will catch everyone’s eye.

6.  Fun Cityscape Collages Art for Young Kiddos  – Here is a layer by layer tutorial on making cityscape collages using paint, Sharpie markers and newspaper.

7.  Recycled Paper Daisies & Dragonfly Art Project  – Get creative and resourceful with this recycling art project. Here is a tutorial for a simple  recycled paper art project to make with second or third grade.

8.  Colorful Ceramic Clay Coral Reefs Art Project  – Here is how to make clay coral reefs  with your class that are very colorful.

9.  Stunning Planets Space Art: Shading Techniques  – Students pick a planet to illustrate and use chalk to create the colors and shading. With a stunning a bold piece of art like this, what’s not to love?

10.  Japanese Cherry Blossom Art  – Connect art and literature with this spring  Japanese art project.

11.  Easy and Stunning Wildflower Art in 30 Minutes  – Finding the perfect watercolor art project can be just as simple as snagging 3 materials and 30 minutes.

12.  Gorgeous Ceiling Chalk Art Butterflies  – Capture art with gorgeous sidewalk art inspired drawings. Here is a chalk art tutorial on how to create beautiful masterpieces for your school.

13.  How to Draw Graffiti Art Project  – Here is a how to draw graffiti lesson plan that is perfect for open house night, connecting with literature or for learning concepts of art.

14.  Beautifully Easy Spring Monet Art Project  – Create a gorgeous water scene art project inspired by Monet in your classroom.

15.  How to Make Stunning Symmetry Name Art  – Here is the step by step tutorial on how to make symmetry name art with your class.

16.  Sea Creatures Paint Project  – A fantastic art project tutorial to create sea creatures with third graders.

17.  Watercolor Flower Art Project  – Here is a beautiful flower art project for kids using watercolors and oil pastels using simple shapes.

18.  Phases of the Moon Oil Painting  – An oil painting project using crayons, oil paint crayons and water that connects science with art.

What a creative set of projects for all grades! I hope you found these inspiring ideas helpful.

Thanks to all of the talented teachers featured in this collection – your art projects are fantastic an inspiring! Feel free to grab the “ I’m a Featured Teach Junkie ” blog button as your creations are definitely worth the shout out.

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Leslie {aka the original Teach Junkie} loves learning new things to make teaching easier and more effective. She enjoys featuring creative classroom fun when she's not designing teacher shirts, making kindergarten lesson plans or planning her family's next trip to Disney World.

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Exciting Techniques and Processes

Experimenting with different media is an essential part of a broad art curriculum.  Many of my resources explore exciting media; the three featured below have been very popular.

Complete Units of Work

These complete units of work are each an entire project. It’s wonderful to be able to teach new projects and to not have to spend hours and hours planning. There are many more complete art units on The Arty Teacher.

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Art lesson plans for teaching portraits.

Most art teachers teach portrait lessons at some point in the year.  Students really seem to love this topic even though it’s really difficult.  Below are three best selling portrait resources.  Click an image to learn more, or click here to see all  art lesson plans about portraits.

Art Lesson Plans for Teaching Colour Theory

Color theory is easy to teach with these resources to help you.  Every resource has the different spelling of ‘color’ and ‘colour’ to keep art teachers around the globe happy!  As well as the best selling resources below, there are more  color theory art resources  on The Arty Teacher.  This includes resources that help teach about harmonious, analogous and complementary colours.

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Zentangles worksheets really seems to engage students.  These three resources are all on the zentangle theme.  Click on the images below, or there are more  Zentangle Art Resources  on The Arty Teacher.

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43 Collaborative Art Projects

December 5, 2022 //  by  Seda Unlucay

Creating collaborative art is a wonderful way to encourage teamwork among students, celebrate diversity and enrich classroom culture. This collection of hands-on group art projects is designed to build meaningful skills such as taking turns, discussing ideas, and making group decisions. They are a fantastic way to foster community, allow students to connect with their classmates, and teach them to focus on cooperation instead of competition. Students are sure to have plenty of fun while letting their imaginations run wild!

1. Popsicle Stick Art 

Transform simple popsicle sticks into a gorgeous piece of textured art with a pop of color and patterned designs. Students can also add inspiring words and hide them for other classmates to find- creating a fun game while encouraging attention to detail. Arranging them in a frame only adds to the aesthetic appeal. 

Learn more: The Classy Teacher

2. Draw Realistic Looking Bubbles 

Students begin this multi-part collaborative project by studying the shape and color of bubbles and learning that they are iridescent or appear to change color when viewed from different angles. While this time-consuming creation requires plenty of patience and careful observation, the stunning results will be well worth it!

Learn more: The Lost Sock

3. Create a Textured Cityscape 

After gluing collages of newspaper buildings onto a cerulean blue poster background, students can add texture, depth, and color with acrylic paints. This project ties in naturally with any Social Studies or Civics lessons on the role of community in urban landscapes. 

Learn more: Studio Kids

4. Weave Colorful Circles

This unique hand-woven project generates impressive visual impact! Kids repurpose cardboard looms to create hand-woven patterns with yarn before hanging them together on a group display board. This simple idea is a great segway into using yarn for knitting or other crafting projects and can be a soothing and grounding activity for any busy classroom. 

Learn more: Experiments in Art Education

5. Make a Class Quilt 

Why not make a modern-day quilt with paper and felt markers? Students can study quilt patterns, designs, and textures before making their own. Combining old traditions with new, modern graphics and interesting shapes makes for a delightfully appealing final product. 

Learn more: Candace Ashment Art

6. Make String Art

String art looks quite tricky but is actually easy to create. Just combine plywood, string, and lots of creative ingenuity to produce stunning results kids will be proud to display.

Learn more: Creating Really Awesome Fun Things

7. Line Designs

Each student begins by creating a solid line with a black marker, then adding different sections of doodles and designs around the perimeter of their shapes. Combining the unique creations makes for a neat snaking effect. 

Learn more: Think Create Art

8. Post-It Art 

This advanced Post-It note project is a creative way to create a group mural. By challenging kids to view an everyday item in a new light, you can encourage more non-linear and original thinking in the classroom. Why not let students choose their own subject for the portrait? 

Learn more: Art of Apex High School

9. Art Hearts 

From a distance, these hearts blend together but get up close and you’ll notice all the adorable details such as small bells, colorful strings, and layers of texture. 

Learn more: Art Teacherin’ 101

10. Watercolor Art

Using crayons for details and watercolor to add depth, these large art pieces are joined together along big black lines, creating a stunning puzzle-like effect. Who says puzzles can only come in jigsaw shapes? 

Learn more: Drip, Drip, Splatter Splash

11. Organic Circles 

These hand-drawn circles, inspired by the work of Lea Anderson, allow students to play around with more natural textures, styles, and patterns. They make a great introduction to a lesson on First Nations culture and art, which also focus on natural shapes and repurposing organic materials. 

Learn more: Shine Brite Zamorano

12. Make a Collaborative Mosaic

While this mosaic is time-intensive and requires quite a few materials, such as a cement board, wooden frame, clay, and glaze, the impressive results are well worth the effort! Students can write out the name of their school, a meaningful quote, or even a classroom slogan to share with their community. 

Learn more: The Art of Education

13. Collaborative Weaving Project

Weaving on a loom is a wonderful learning opportunity for kids to discover the beauty of patterns and textures while developing their hand-eye coordination. 

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy

14. Dot Art 

A dot can be so many things, from a flower to a tree to swirling clouds and snowflakes. What will your students turn theirs into? This natural landscape is a great way to infuse any classroom with a much-needed pop of vibrant color. 

Learn more: Cassie Stephens

15. Rainbow Self Portraits

These monochromatic self-portraits can be arranged together in a rainbow color sequence to create a striking prism-like result that celebrates collaboration. Why not discuss the physics of prisms, light refraction, and the color spectrum while you’re at it? 

16. Mexican Talavera Design

These colorful quilt and tile-inspired creations are a wonderful opportunity to discuss shape, color, form, and symmetry as integral design elements. Inspired by Mexican Talavera designs, they also celebrate the multicultural inspirations of many artists around the world. 

17. Group Sketchbook

Sketching together is similar to having a conversation. Enhancing and embellishing each other’s creations is a great way to cement bonds and grow comfortable exchanging ideas. It’s also a wonderful way to learn compromise, iron out differences in creative vision, and learn to solve problems independently. 

Learn more: Tinkerlab

18. Heart Drawing Activity

Drawing mandala-like hearts within hearts is a beautiful symbol of loving bonds and a great addition to any lesson on social-emotional well-being. Mandalas have a calming effect on kids and adults alike. They can be combined with a mindfulness activity, such as timed breathing exercises or noticing emotions and sensations in the body during a busy and active day of learning. 

Learn more: Artful Parent

19. Create A Large Mural

These murals combine black line shapes with large pops of color to create stunning results. They are not directly inspired by the work of Keith Haring but certainly evoke his graffiti-like creations. Students can be challenged to address social and political events through their art in a nod to the legacy of prolific artists and activists. 

Learn more: Georgetown Elementary Art Blog

20. Handprint Art

These Andy Warhol-inspired creations combine handprints, vivid colors, and bright hearts to generate stunning visuals students won’t soon forget! Students will be impressed to learn that Warhol focused more on the presence, energy, and intention behind a painting than on precise technique or artistic perfection. 

Learn more: Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes

21. Jim Dine Heart Art

These Jim Dine-inspired hearts combine pop art elements with a focus on building curiosity and creativity about the legacy of inspiring artists.

Learn more: Red Ted Art

22. Rainy Day Doodling

The steps required for this game are simple: Choose a colored marker, set a timer, and draw! Once the time is up, artists pass the paper to others to create a collaborative doodle masterpiece! 

Learn more: Bounceback Parenting

23. Draw Group Comic Strips 

Kids love creating comic strips, and they are full of ideas from reading so many of them! This project combines a lesson in narrative elements with plenty of room for imagination and comedic dialogue. 

Learn more: Rediscovered Families

24. Paper Coil Project

This creative project consists of small cylinders arranged in a unique starburst formation. It allows students to put their own unique twist on ordinary materials and get some fine motor practice while they’re at it. 

25. Color Me Quilt 

Add some color to a drab classroom with these ready-to-color quilt squares. Students can use a whole assortment of materials; from fabric paint to markers to stencils and watercolor to bring their creations to life. 

Learn more: S&S Blog

26. Imagine Peace Velvet Art

Peace is always a good idea, and this velvet art project provides a great opportunity to talk about what peace, harmony, and unity mean to your students. You can split them into smaller groups and assign a letter to each group to encourage small-group collocation.  

27. Cube Drawing Mural 

This street art-inspired mural idea includes one cube made by each student. This one incorporated geese to represent the mascot of the school, but other students can choose from any design they like. The cool 3D effect is sure to be a show-stopper! 

Learn more: Art is Basic

28. Collaborative Painting 

This collaborative painting features wavy lines, creating a neat and eye-catching surreal effect. The only requirement is that kids stay within the lines as they’re coloring, which may prove to be challenging but is a great way to improve their artistic precision. 

29. Sonia Delaunay-Inspired Art 

Inspired by Sonia Delaunay, whose artwork featured textile patterns, this prism-like creation is sure to impress! Starting with a square piece of paper, students draw concentric circles, keeping the eye of the circle on the edge of the sheet. By rotating the four parts, a beautiful final product is produced. 

Learn more: Kids Artists

30. Painted Art Branch

Nature always has a soothing effect on a classroom, even in small doses. Repurposing a branch into an organic canvas requires nothing more than some tempera paint and pompoms.

Learn more: Art Bar Blog

31. Van Gogh Inspired Art

Who thought creating a masterpiece mosaic could be so fun? Students across various grades can collaborate to copy a classic painting. Despite the various abilities and approaches, the overall effect makes for a beautiful, cohesive appearance. 

Learn more: Teach Kids Art

32. Create a Thumbnail Class Portrait 

Cheryl Sorg is a gifted artist who created fingerprint portraits out of small pieces of tape. Students are sure to love imitating her style with temperate paints, bright colors, and their own hand-drawn letters. Crafting the whorls and lines might be a little tricky, but the final reflection of artistic talents is sure to be worth it.

Learn more: Charity Auctions Today

33. Design an Inspirational Poster

This multi-piece art poster makes a great icebreaker, bulletin board, or hallway mural idea. The artful typography and bright colors only enhance the meaningful message. 

Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers

34. Tape-Resist Art Design 

All you need for this kid-created masterpiece is cardboard, tape, and plenty of paint. Using tape as a border creates a neat, negative-space outline that provides an eye-catching contrast pattern when the tape is removed for the final display. 

Learn more: Busy Toddler

35. American Map Creation

This long-term geography-based project teaches patience and teamwork while providing a great opportunity to think about the contributions of each state. Students can represent each state’s tourist attractions, landscape, and scenery or natural resources and gain a greater appreciation of their country. 

Learn more: Bright Harbor

36. Picture Book Based Art

When students start learning about personality traits, they have to choose between being kind or selfish, prideful or humble or being brave or cowardly. The classic Aesop fable, the Lion and the Mouse , illustrates how it’s possible to feel many emotions at once and that they don’t cancel each other out. The collective image of the lion is a great way to reinforce this memorable lesson. 

Learn more: Newsletter

37. Art Puzzle 

This neat take on a classic puzzle challenges students to change each piece to suit their own unique style. They are free to use collage, doodling, carving, or painting while keeping the original puzzle shape. They make for a beautiful symbol of unity in diversity and the importance of celebrating individual contributions to a thriving group. 

Learn more: Tacoma Public Library

38. Share Your Art Through the Mail 

While most collaborations take place in person, this one requires contributors to mail their work to the next person, so they can work at their own pace. It’s always a fun surprise to see what people have contributed with each mail delivery and to think of creative ways to enhance the art. 

Learn more: Blazer Design

39. Circle Painting

Circle art allows kids to identify shapes in their environment and build their fine motor skills while contributing to collective creation. Circles not only symbolize community but are easy and fun to draw, with enough room for kids to express their own imaginative ideas. 

Learn more: PreK+K Sharing

40. Create Wings

Let these wings transport your kids to new worlds of possibilities. After decorating their individual feathers with lines, patterns, and uplifting quotes, students assemble them into a group piece that makes for a fun photo op.

Learn more: Brookside Montessori

41. Art Journal 

What better way to share art than with a collaborative journal? Not only will students have a keepsake they can look back on, but they can gain ideas and inspiration from each other’s creations. 

Learn more: Sarah Donawerth

42. You Be You Art

In the heartwarming story, You be You , a tiny fish leaves the comfort of his home to explore the big wide ocean and discovers all sorts of spiky, colorful, and unique creatures- each with their own gifts and talents. This inspired project gives kids a chance to learn cooperative skills while expressing their own unique creative flair. 

Learn more: Ōwai19 @ Ōwairaka District School

43. Collaborative Art Donuts

What better subject for pop art than those yummy-looking donuts? Teachers will love being able to combine a lesson in the history of modern art and the role of pop art in advertising and media while encouraging imagination in their young learners. 

Learn more: The Imagination Box

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Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

Finish the year of with ease and connection with the End of the Year Survival Pack from Art Class Curator!

Art printables, worksheets, and powerpoints.

Inside: A collection of printable art worksheets, PowerPoints, and lesson plans to use in art class. (Most of them are FREE!)

Art class should be about more than just making art! Art lessons should introduce students to a variety of works of art and allow them to explore the process, the history, and their own personal connections to the artworks they encounter.

Keeping a class full of students engaged while looking at art takes practice, confidence, inventive activities , and a variety of approaches. But most of us weren’t taught how to talk about art with kids . That’s why I’ve gathered some of my best printable art worksheets and downloads in one place! Most of these art lesson plans can be used for any grade level and there’s enough variety to keep elementary, middle, and high school students interested and intrigued.

Free Printable Art Worksheets

My favorite go-to art lessons come from the Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle .

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Pick an artwork 2. Print one of the Art Appreciation Worksheets 3. Watch with joy as your students connect with and interpret art

The bundle includes 25 printable art worksheets, but everyone who signs up for Your Weekly Art Break , my email newsletter full of art inspiration, gets six FREE art appreciation worksheets . Fill out the form below to receive your free art worksheets and weekly art inspiration.

Free Worksheets!

Art Appreciation Worksheets

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Below, you’ll find a collection of the Art Class Curator posts that include art printables and downloads. These brains-on art activities will jump-start students’ critical thinking skills and breath new life into their  art projects . All of these art lesson plans are all free unless otherwise marked. Most are printable PDFs, but the ones containing PowerPoints are marked.

Free Elements and Principles Printable Pack

This pack of printables was designed to work in a variety of ways in your classroom when teaching the elements and principles of art. You can print and hang in your classroom as posters/anchor charts or you can cut each element and principle of art in its own individual card to use as a lesson manipulative. Click here to download the Elements and Principles Printable Pack.

Free Resource!

Elements & Principles Printable Pack

The Elements & Principles of Art are the foundation of every artwork, but teaching them can be a bore. Wake your students up and engage them with full color artworks, easy to understand definitions, and thought-provoking higher level thinking questions. This versatile resource can be hung in the classroom or used as an art manipulative.

Art Appreciation Printables

• Free Art Appreciation Printable Worksheet Bundle
• Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle 25-Pack  
• I am… Dorothea Lange: Exploring Empathy
• Character Analysis Art Activity: Twitter Perspectives
• Haikus about Art
• I See, I Think, I Wonder
• “I Feel” Word Wheel: Learning Emotional Literacy in Art Education

Art Appreciation Activities & Art Appreciation Lessons

• Art Description and Drawing Activity
• Virtual Art Museum Field Trip
• Complete the Picture: An Easy Art Appreciation Game for Kids
• Interpreting the Power of the Kongo Nkisi N’Kondi

Artworks Printables

Artworks Worksheets & Artworks Activities

• Art, Horror, and The Sublime: Symbolism in Pablo Picasso’s Guernica
• Kollwitz & Cassatt: Two Views of Motherhood in Art
• Rosa Rolanda Jigsaw Art Learning Activity

Artworks Lessons

• Elements of Art Examples & Definitions
• Principles of Design Examples & Definitions
• Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas  Art Discussion Lesson
• Art Analysis Activity for John Gast’s American Progress
• Art Around the World in 30 Days – China
• Masterpiece Monday: Manifest Destiny Art

Art Criticism Printables

Art criticism worksheets.

• SPARK: 5 Art Criticism Steps for Inspired Art Connections and Conversations
• Art History Student Study Guide Worksheets

Art Criticism Activities

• 82 Questions to Ask About Art
• Photograph Analysis Learning Activities

Art Criticism Lessons

• 4 Steps of Art Criticism Lesson
• What is Art? – Aesthetics Lesson Bundle
• Classical Sculpture Analysis Lesson  
• Decoding Style: How to Teach Students to Read an Artwork  

Puzzles About Art Printables

Teaching students about  art and aesthetics  is a great way to make them think about art in a new way. Aesthetics puzzles ignite exciting, meaningful classroom art discussions  and flex students’ philosophical and critical thinking skills.

• Puzzles About Art: The Chimpanzee Painter
• Puzzles About Art: Call it Driftwood

More Art Printables

You can find more art lesson plans in the Art Class Curator store and on Teachers Pay Teachers . Sign up for  Your Weekly Art Break   to get six free art art worksheets and weekly art inspiration delivered to your inbox!

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

*free bundle of art appreciation worksheets*.

60 Inspiring Art Integrated Project Ideas: From Canvas to Classroom

Ignite creativity in education with Art Integrated Project Ideas! Transform learning into an artistic adventure as we explore engaging projects that blend subjects and art seamlessly.

Welcome to a realm where learning isn’t just a lesson; it’s a canvas waiting for your creativity to run wild. Art Integrated Project Ideas are like the secret sauce that turns studying into a colorful adventure. Imagine classrooms where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every project is a chance to paint outside the lines of regular learning.

Whether you’re a teacher hunting for fresh ways to jazz up your lessons or a parent dreaming of turning homework into something magical, you’re in for a treat. We’re diving into a world where subjects and art become the coolest buddies, creating an education experience that’s more fun than a paint party.

So, buckle up for a journey where boring lessons are a thing of the past, and learning is an art form. Get ready to explore Art Integrated Project Ideas that will make you see education in a whole new light. Let’s turn those textbooks into sketchbooks and make learning one heck of an artistic adventure!

Table of Contents

The Fusion of Art and Education

Explore the seamless fusion of art and education, where creativity becomes the cornerstone of learning. In this dynamic intersection, subjects transform into canvases, and lessons unfold as masterpieces.

Discover the magic when the brush meets the textbook, unlocking a world where the joy of exploration and the power of knowledge dance hand in hand. Welcome to the fusion of art and education, where every learning moment is a stroke of inspiration.

The Creative Canvas of Possibilities

Let’s make learning an adventure! Check out these cool projects:

• Cosmic Creations: Take a trip through the stars! Build a solar system model and unravel the wonders of the universe with artsy flair.
• Time-Travel Dioramas: History, but make it hands-on. Craft dioramas that teleport you to historical moments – no time machine needed!
• Math in Colors: Math is an art form too! Turn boring equations into vibrant visuals with funky patterns and geometric designs.
• Word Wizardry: Words come alive! Write stories, poems, and visually stunning narratives that transform language into pure magic.
• Musical Artistry: Feel the beat! Create musical instruments, paint emotions, and explore the beautiful marriage of music and visual art.

In these projects, it’s not just about books and classes – it’s about sparking your curiosity, letting your creativity loose, and turning every subject into a canvas where your ideas can go wild. Ready for an educational adventure? Let’s get artsy!

Art Integrated Project Ideas

Check out art integrated project ideas:-

Science and Nature

• Let’s create gadgets that save the planet! Design cool, eco-friendly inventions using stuff we’d usually toss away.
• Grab your pencils! Dive into the world of plants, sketching out intricate botanical illustrations like nature’s own artists.
• Build a mini underwater world! Get your hands dirty with a 3D diorama that shows how sea life buddies hang out.
• Blast off to space! Imagine and create a collage that captures the magic and mystery of the universe.
• Time to make some noise! Design posters that shout about how our actions impact the Earth, and how we can fix it.
• Let’s get wild! Craft shadow boxes showcasing our furry, feathery, and scaly friends in their natural habitats.
• Become a weather artist! Make installations that show off rainbows, thunderstorms, and all kinds of weather wonders.
• Bugs, but artsy! Use your hands to mold and shape sculptures of fascinating insects using different materials.
• Time for a volcanic explosion! Build models of volcanoes and make them erupt (with a safe, DIY twist, of course).
• Nature meets creativity! Take a stroll, collect recyclables, and turn them into artworks inspired by the great outdoors.

History and Social Studies

• Let’s time-travel with paint! Collaborate on murals that tell the story of different historical periods in a colorful way.
• Cook up a storm! Create a cookbook full of recipes from around the world, complete with drawings and fun facts.
• Paint history in portraits! Use brushes to bring to life the faces of game-changers from revolutionary times.
• Become an architect! Construct models of jaw-dropping World Heritage Sites, telling tales of their rich history.
• Freeze-frame memories! Craft collages that capture the essence of a specific time, ready to be buried in a time capsule.
• Strut through the ages! Design and showcase fashion pieces from different historical eras in a fabulous runway show.
• Map it out, mosaic style! Use tiles and creativity to create maps that showcase historical events and cultural hotspots.
• See history through different eyes! Paint scenes from the past from various perspectives to understand diverse viewpoints.
• Lights, camera, art! Design posters for imaginary documentary films that explore fascinating historical events.
• Draw like an architect! Study and recreate blueprints of awe-inspiring historical buildings, understanding their significance.

Mathematics and Geometry

• Puzzle it out together! Solve math puzzles that reveal colorful murals, turning math into a team art project.
• Spiral into creativity! Create artworks inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, where math meets mesmerizing patterns.
• Snap symmetrical shots! Turn a photography scavenger hunt into a search for perfect symmetry in the world around us.
• Nail it, string it! Craft mesmerizing geometric patterns using strings, nails, and a whole lot of imagination.
• Game on! Invent and design board games that make learning math super fun and absolutely unbeatable.
• Pie, anyone? Celebrate Pi Day by creating pie charts that visually tell the story of this irrational number in a tasty way.
• Fold, crease, create! Combine the ancient art of origami with modern geometry, shaping sculptures that are both mathy and artsy.
• Get lost in creativity! Design labyrinths filled with math problems and solutions, turning learning into a maze of fun.
• Color by shapes! Craft stained glass windows using polygons, exploring the cool connection between geometry and art.
• Math, but make it funny! Draw comic strips that crack jokes while explaining tricky mathematical concepts.

Language Arts and Literature

• Sculpt tales into reality! Bring beloved book characters to life by molding them into sculptures with your own hands.
• Brush meets verses! Combine calligraphy and poetry for stunning compositions that bring words to life.
• Collage those classics! Design posters that capture the essence of favorite literature with snippets of scenes and characters.
• Judge this book by its cover! Redesign and illustrate new book covers that perfectly capture the heart of a story.
• Dive into stories, box-style! Create shadow boxes that encapsulate scenes from favorite books, using mixed media.
• Pen the character’s thoughts! Write diary entries from the perspective of literary characters, accompanied by expressive visuals.
• Mosaic tales! Craft colorful artworks inspired by quotes, scenes, or characters from cherished literature.
• Paint the storytellers! Bring authors to life with brushstrokes, creating a gallery that celebrates literary legends.
• Flip into fairy tales! Craft flipbooks that narrate classic stories with whimsical illustrations and moving pages.
• Picture the words! Illustrate short stories or poems for a class literary magazine, turning literary works into visual wonders.

Music and Performing Arts

• Let’s make some noise! Build and decorate musical instruments, merging the worlds of art and music.
• Dance on canvas! Translate dance moves into expressive paintings, capturing the rhythm and movement of each step.
• Play that storyboard! Create visual tales inspired by musical compositions, connecting notes and visuals in perfect harmony.
• Set the stage! Design and build sets for a play or story, turning imagination into tangible, stage-worthy creations.
• Design the vibes! Create album covers for imaginary soundtracks, capturing the feel and emotions of each musical track.
• Lights, camera, music! Team up to create music videos, merging musical performances with creative storytelling.
• Rock that design! Craft posters for imaginary concerts or performances, infusing artistic elements that reflect different music genres.
• Paint the drama! Illustrate dramatic monologues or spoken word performances, conveying the intensity and emotion in visuals.
• Stringing along a story! Craft puppets and put on a puppet theater show, bringing stories to life with colorful characters.
• Picture the lyrics! Illustrate song lyrics, adding vibrant visuals that capture the essence of the poetic words.

Health and Physical Education

• Plate of creativity! Create collages that showcase a balanced and healthy plate, learning about nutrition through art.
• Stretch and draw! Illustrate various yoga poses in a visually appealing way, merging wellness with artistic expression.
• Fit facts in style! Design infographics that showcase different workout routines and their benefits in a visually appealing format.
• Comic strip health! Develop comic strips that deliver messages promoting healthy lifestyle choices with a dash of humor.
• Breathe in, create out! Craft artworks that reflect different breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, promoting mindfulness.
• Sports, designed! Illustrate innovative sports equipment that not only looks cool but enhances performance and safety.
• Burn those calories on paper! Create posters that visually represent the calorie burn of various physical activities, promoting fitness awareness.
• Journaling for health! Design and decorate journals that encourage students to track and reflect on their daily health habits.
• Challenge accepted! Illustrate motivational posters for fitness challenges, inspiring a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Love your body! Create artworks that celebrate diversity in body shapes and sizes, promoting a positive body image.

The Impact and Benefits

Diving into Art Integrated Project Ideas isn’t just about creating cool projects; it’s like adding a splash of magic to learning. Let’s break down why it’s not your average classroom gig:

Why It Rocks

• Imagine learning where “boring” isn’t even in the dictionary. Art-infused projects turn lessons into a playground of creativity.
• It’s not just about math or history; it’s the superhero version. Art brings sidekicks like problem-solving, creativity, and mad communication skills to the party.
• Art lets you speak your mind in colors and shapes. It’s like having a secret language where you express ideas in your unique way.
• Ever thought, “Why is math hanging out with history?” Art makes subjects mingle, showing they’re all part of this epic knowledge party.
• It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, but in a super positive way. Art taps into your brain and emotions, making learning a full-on experience.
• Forget memorizing like a robot. Art makes things stick. You’ll remember that math concept because you painted it, not because you had to.
• Art makes you a ninja of creativity. You solve problems, think outside the box, and basically become the superhero version of yourself.
• It’s not just about facts; it’s about stories and cultures. Art lets you explore different worlds, giving you a backstage pass to the cool stuff.
• When your art project turns out awesome, it’s like a confidence party. You’re not just learning; you’re becoming a rockstar of your own making.
• Teachers aren’t just the knowledge gurus; they’re adventure buddies. Art projects create a bond where learning is a shared journey, not a one-way street.

What are the examples of art integration?

Let’s take a stroll through some everyday scenarios where art and learning join forces, making education a colorful adventure:

1. Math Mingle with Art: Paper Geometry Party

Ever turned math into a paper-folding fiesta? Imagine crafting origami shapes that shout “geometry rules!” It’s not just math; it’s a hands-on art party with paper magic.

2. Science with a Green Twist: Eco-Art Extravaganza

What if science class felt like an art gallery? Picture creating sculptures out of recycled treasures. It’s not just about ecosystems; it’s an eco-art masterpiece in the making.

3. Time-Traveling History: Storyboard Quest

History isn’t just dates and facts. Imagine sketching out historical events on a visual storyboard. It’s not a lesson; it’s a historical adventure where each picture tells a thousand words.

4. Poetry, Meet Collage: Words and Colors Tango

Poetry comes alive when words and colors dance together. Imagine creating collages inspired by the magic of poems. It’s not just language arts; it’s a canvas filled with poetic vibes.

5. Artistic Jam Session: DIY Instruments Concert

What if music class turned into a hands-on craft party? Imagine making your own instruments and jamming out. It’s not just about notes; it’s an artful symphony of creativity.

6. Dance of Numbers: Graphical Storyland

Math isn’t always about numbers on a page. Picture turning math problems into colorful stories with visuals. It’s not just equations; it’s a graphical journey through numbers.

7. Culture Canvas: Artifacts Showcase

Exploring cultures isn’t just reading; it’s creating. Imagine crafting artistic representations of cultural treasures. It’s not just social studies; it’s a gallery of global wonders.

8. Visual Math Adventures: Graphical Problem Solving

Math can be a visual playground. Picture solving problems by drawing them out. It’s not just math; it’s a creative expedition through numbers and shapes.

9. Bio-Art Bliss: Plant Illustration Fiesta

Biology meets art in a garden of creativity. Imagine illustrating plants with intricate details. It’s not just science; it’s a botanical masterpiece in the making.

What is an example of arts integration in schools?

Alright, let’s dive into a real-life scenario where art and learning team up for an awesome experience in schools:

Subject Mashup: Math and Art

Let’s Roll with the “Geometric Cityscape” Adventure!

Mission: Turn those geometry lessons into a colorful city-building extravaganza where math meets art.

Step-by-Step Play

• Start with a chat about shapes and angles in the real world. No jargon, just cool stuff like skyscrapers, streets, and funky buildings.
• Get those creative juices flowing. Imagine each student as an architect, sketching out their dream cityscape. What would it look like?
• Now, here’s the math magic. Ask students to sprinkle geometric shapes and angles into their cityscape plans. Maybe a rectangular park or a triangle-shaped fountain?
• Break out the art supplies! Paper, markers, rulers – it’s go time. Students take their cityscape dreams and turn them into vibrant, geometric masterpieces.
• The grand finale! Each student presents their cityscape to the class. What geometric wonders did they include? Why did they choose certain shapes? It’s a sharing party!

Why It’s Epic

• Hands-On Fun: No more boring textbooks. Students get their hands dirty (in a good way) and create something real.
• Learning Sneak Attack: While they’re crafting cityscapes, they’re also absorbing geometry concepts without even realizing it.
• Team Art Show: Sharing is caring. Students not only learn from the teacher but also from each other. It’s a geometric art show!
• Creative Sparks: This isn’t just about math. It’s about letting imaginations run wild. Who knew geometry could be this cool?

End Result: A room full of proud architects, a gallery of geometric cityscapes, and a bunch of students who just made math way more awesome. That’s the power of arts integration – turning learning into a hands-on, creative adventure!

How can you integrate art?

Art integration offers a treasure trove of opportunities to enrich your classroom and curriculum. Let’s explore a handful of creative ideas:

Art as a Gateway to New Concepts

• Imagine introducing fractions with flair. Encourage students to create vibrant collages featuring shapes of varying sizes and proportions. This visual exercise sets the stage for an engaging lesson on fractions.
• Dive into the water cycle by having students sketch and label diagrams of the process. Their artistic interpretations transform an abstract concept into a vivid reality.

Art as a Reinforcement Tool

• After a lesson on the planets, challenge your students to construct a model of our solar system. This hands-on project solidifies their understanding while kindling their creativity.
• Post-American Revolution lessons, let students channel their knowledge into crafting historical event posters. It’s an artistic homage to the past.

Art as an Expression Medium

• Encourage students to externalize their comprehension of complex topics. Following a lesson on the butterfly’s life cycle, task them with illustrating the various stages through drawings or paintings.
• When teaching character traits, provide a canvas for self-expression. Invite students to create collages teeming with images and words that embody different character traits.

Art as the Link Between Disciplines

• Bridge the gap between subjects through interdisciplinary projects. In science class, challenge students to design a sustainable city model. Then, in language arts class, they can weave the city’s tale in the form of a captivating story.
• In social studies, guide students to research a notable historical figure. Subsequently, in visual arts class, they can pay tribute to that individual through their creative artwork.

Art integration isn’t just about colors and canvases; it’s a dynamic tool that unlocks doors to deeper understanding, self-expression, and interdisciplinary exploration. It transforms learning into an artistic adventure.

And there you have it, the world of Art Integrated Project Ideas—a place where learning becomes an exciting adventure, and every project is a chance to paint with your imagination.

These aren’t just school assignments; they’re your ticket to a realm where textbooks take a backseat, and your creative side gets to steer the ship. Imagine math turning into a paper-folding fiesta or history coming alive on your storyboard canvas.

As you dive into these projects, it’s not about ticking off boxes; it’s about discovering the thrill of learning through your own unique lens. Each stroke of creativity is like adding a splash of color to your understanding of the world.

So, here’s to turning classrooms into creative studios, to making lessons feel like explorations, and to embracing the magic that happens when education and art come together. Cheers to a learning journey that’s as unique and vibrant as you are!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need to be an artist to implement art-integrated projects.

No, you don’t need to be a professional artist. These projects are designed to encourage creativity and self-expression, regardless of your artistic skills.

How do I assess the learning outcomes of art-integrated projects?

Assessment can be based on both the artistic process and the achievement of educational objectives. Rubrics and discussions are valuable tools.

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Teaching High School Art Lessons

Home » Teaching High School Art Lessons

More Learning Levels

Kindergarten to Grade 2

Grades 6-8 (Middle School)

Grades 9-12 (High School and Adults)

Teaching Art to High School Students (14+yrs)

High School students should be given the opportunity to work with a variety of art materials. Often, they will be interested in creating art with a message, or for a cause (political or otherwise). This should be encouraged.

Grade 9, 10 and 11 Emphasis:

• Art theory as it relates to artists and art movements of the past and present.
• Analyze how technical and aesthetic elements contribute to the ideas communicated in works of art.
• State preferences for works of art based on detailed analysis.
• Describe how a society or culture influences the arts.
• Create art by selecting and using elements of art and technical skills to achieve a desired effect.
• Analyze works of art.
• Explore areas of artistic interest in greater depth as they develop their own critical and problem solving skills.
• Use a variety of materials to create art.
• Explore, challenge, express and develop ideas using the skills and techniques they have learned.
• Establish self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Sharpen intuitive abilities.
• Expand aesthetic awareness and develop aesthetic judgement.
• Continue exposure to art history. Analyze a work of art by comparing it to another from a different time or culture.
• Discuss elements of art and principles of design while identifying aspects that contribute to the effectiveness of art.
• Use personal and cultural experiences as subject matter.
• Describe the benefits of gaining skills in the arts.

>>Click HERE for our list of High School Art Lessons<<

Favourite art lessons for high school.

• Classic Still Life Drawing
• Creative Principles and Elements of Art
• Face Study (Draw the Other Half)
• Gesture Drawing
• Happy Accident Painting
• Iterating Fractals
• Line Painting Flowers
• Mixed Media Still Life Painting
• Monoprinting with Gelli Arts
• Norval Morrisseau X-Ray Painting
• Pen and Ink Drawing
• Positive/Negative Bugs
• Still Life Mat Board Masterpieces
• Tissue Paper Collage Flowers
• Tissue Paper Landscapes
• Viewfinder Painting
• Wandering Ink Drawing Exercise

>>>MORE

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Easy Art lessons for substitute teachers (free, emergency lessons)

Last Updated on February 9, 2017

The prospect of preparing sub lessons for middle and high school Art classes (also known as relief lessons) can fill a teacher with dread and be perceived as more unpleasant than returning to school while sick. To solve this problem, we have provided a collection of complete one-off Art lessons that can be printed at the click of a button and administered by any relief or substitute teacher, regardless of their background (or lack of) in Art and Design. These tasks require only basic materials and are absent of elaborate procedures, dangerous equipment and undue mess. Despite their simplicity, however, the exercises encourage students to practise valuable art-making skills and reinforce prior learning in a fun, relaxing and stress-free way.

Each lesson in this article will soon link to a substitute lesson plan template that identifies learning objectives, materials required and clear instructions (lesson plans will download as a PDF that can be printed on A4 paper – we are working on these ASAP, please bookmark this page so that you can return to it soon) as well as more detailed illustrations and student examples. One-day art lessons can also be used by students who wish to undertake extension activities on their own. It should be noted that these exercises are mostly targeted at middle school and junior high school students, as senior Art students typically continue with existing projects when substitute or relief teachers are present.

Make an origami crane and draw it , as in these examples by Sean Dooley , a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design:

READ NEXT: How to make an artist website (and why you need one)

Create a sculpture depicting an emotion from paper and then draw it , as in these examples by Year 12 student Jenny Ha, ACG Parnell College :

Explore negative and positive space , as in these artworks by 7th Grade students taught by  Larisa Kamp , Calvert School:

Create a tessellation , as in this exercise taught to 5th Grade students by  Bradley Hale , Chalker Elementary School:

Use line and tone to create a 3D illusion , as in these examples by 15 year old artist  João Carvalho :

Design a building derived from organic form , as in this example by Year 11 student Rhea Maheshwari,  ACG Parnell College :

Create an interactive business card using two pieces of colored cardboard , such as this one by Tommy Perez :

Make an abstract sculpture from paper and take a photograph , as in this example by Jamie Webb-Speight, a Year 10 student from ACG Parnell College :

Use coloring sheets to learn about color and/or tone

Note: We are in the process of preparing a lot of awesome coloring worksheets that are suitable for this purpose. Please ensure that you are subscribed to our mailing list below to make sure that you will be alerted when this resource is live!

Draw an alien , as inspired by an experimental task suggested by Chris Francis , Senior Leader at St Peter’s Catholic School and teacher of Art & Photography – and this great drawing by fifteen year old Emka Klučovská from Slovakia:

Use a black pen and colored pencils to draw over a dictionary page , as inspired by the artworks of  Kristy Patterson , teacher at Guymon High School:

Produce a transformation drawing , as in this example by Art and Design student Hanna :

Design a room in perspective using a perspective grid , as in the examples shown in our One Point Perspective Drawing tutorial .

Cut pieces from a black and white photocopy and redraw the missing pieces

Students are issued with a black and white photocopy of an appropriate image and are instructed to cut out portions and glue the remainder of the image to a sheet of drawing paper. The image may be disassembled and rearranged during this process. A pencil or black pen is used to redraw the missing portions creating a finished artwork. This may be a surrealist, imaginative exercise, where unusual or unexpected items are drawn in the missing spaces, or figures may be intentionally distorted or compressed. Alternatively, the final result may be entirely realistic.

Produce an awesome, soulful drawing of rubbish , as in this drawing by Brittany Lee, Year 10 Art student at ACG Parnell College :

You may be interested in reading: How to create an excellent observational drawing: 11 tips for high school Art students

Interactive drawings , inspired by the work of artist Victor Nunes :

Some of these lesson ideas are Student Art Guide originals; many others are shared by experienced art teachers from around the world (contact us here if you would like to suggest an addition for this page)!

Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.

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25 Unique Art Projects for Middle Schoolers

It’s time to get creative!

The benefits of art education are further reaching than many people realize. Besides boosting students’ creative-thinking skills, engagement in the arts can help students improve their performance in other areas, including math and reading. It can also help with critical thinking, concentration, confidence, and motivation. Since learning about different art movements and mediums are important parts of art education, we gathered a list of diverse and interesting art projects for middle schoolers. Give one a try during your next art class!

1. Giant-sized comic strip

Regardless of your artistic abilities, creating comic strips is a fun way to express yourself. We especially love the idea of getting down on the floor and creating a larger-than-life story. You can also use this as a collaborative art project and have different groups of students tackle different parts of a story that you come up with together as a class.

Learn more: Make Your Own Giant Comic Strip at What Do We Do All Day?

2. Oil pastel candles

Before tackling this project, have your students try out creating oil pastel gradients in their sketchbooks. Then, use a guided drawing to have students draw their candle shape and size on blue pastel paper. This is so creative because while everyone has the same subject matter, no two candles and no two flames will look the same.

Learn more: Oil Pastel Candle Art Lesson at That Art Teacher

3. Mixed-media collage

Before doing this project, teach your students about a number of different collage artists. Then, have students thoughtfully compile different things to include in their collage. This project is particularly personal and will reflect each student’s individuality.

Learn more: Mixed Media Collage at Anita Sagastegui

4. Animal mosaics

Some art projects for middle schoolers are complex but well worth the effort. This is one of those projects since it is part carpentry and part art. Students will learn to safely use plywood, electric jigsaws, and sanders to create these spectacular animal mosaics. You’ll also want to teach kids a bit about the history of mosaic art.

Learn more: All in Pieces at Davis Art

5. 3D snowflakes

Get your free 3D snowflake template at the link below and then get crafting. We all remember making paper snowflakes at school or at home, but these 3D snowflakes really take this beloved project up a level. Add sparkles and sequins and you have some gorgeous classroom decor for the winter months.

Learn more: Stunning 3D Snowflake Craft at Kids Craft Room

6. Faux stained glass

While this project can be done by kids as young as toddlers, it’s also a fun project for middle schoolers. Hand out pieces of wax paper and then have students dab on large, thick piles of paint. Next, take bottle caps and have them push the paint into the wax paper for a stained-glass effect. Finally, once dry, have your students use a Sharpie to define designs throughout. Once dry, hang in the window for a dazzling effect.

Learn more: Stained Glass at Happy Hooligans

7. Neuro-Doodle designs

This is a perfect lesson for teaching about line quality and weights while also experimenting with different mediums. We love middle school art projects that give students experience with a variety of materials, and this one does just that! Students will try their hand at using felt-tip black markers, watercolor paints, colored markers, and colored pencils.

8. Figure drawing

Drawing from life is always ideal, especially when the human body is involved. Middle school students are at an ideal age to learn to sketch different poses quickly. And charcoal makes for an ideal medium.

9. Bubble wrap trees

Learning to paint can feel daunting to some students, but it definitely doesn’t have to be! Introducing students to acrylic paint before oil paint is often the best way to go. This art project uses unconventional materials like bubble wrap for a fun and somewhat easy painting project.

10. Art history timeline

The visual arts are an important part of an art education, but middle school art projects should include art history as well. This project combines both. Have students select an artist or time period and then have them create a timeline like the sample at the link below. Then have them present their timelines to the entire class.

Learn more: Art History Timeline at Hey That’s My Art Teacher

11. Self-portraits

Art projects for middle schoolers that force kids to think deeply are some of our favorites. This project teaches a typical art lesson like how to create a self-portrait but makes it more personal through additional imagery and words.

Learn more: The Real Me Art Lesson at Art With Mrs. E.

12. Yarn painting

Yarn, scissors, heavy paper, and glue are all you need to create these pretty yarn paintings. Well, maybe that and also a hefty dose of patience. This is a project that will likely take a couple of classes to complete. Art projects for middle schoolers like this one provide students with a lot of opportunity to individualize their works through creative choices.

13. Texture relief

Before working on this project, teach your students a bit about texture, and show them lots of examples of artworks that include different textures. Have students bring in different items to include as part of the texture in their project (think leaves, sticks, burlap, etc.). Then, have them cover those items in tinfoil, being careful to reveal all of the different surfaces. Once that step is done, they will need to apply black paint to the surface of the tinfoil. Once dry, have them use steel wool to reveal the texture. These make for an impressive finished product.

14. Wire stocking sculpture

This idea is so unique and it yields impressive results. Build off a lesson on cubism and sculpture by having your students construct sculptures from a soft block of wood, a wire coat hanger, a nylon stocking, and some paint.

15. Playing cards with a twist

We love art projects for middle schoolers that require patience, creativity, and even communication. To begin, students are tasked with coming up with a design for a playing card that involves an animal. They initially design just the top part of the playing card and then use tracing paper to replicate the design onto the rest of the card. Finally, pair up students and have them explain how to execute their original design to someone else.

Learn more: A Playing Card With a Twist at Just Your Everyday Art Teacher

16. Pop art candy paintings

This is the perfect project to pair with a lesson on the pop art movement. And all you need is some tempera paint and a black Sharpie.

Learn more: Pop Art! Candy Paintings at Art at Becker Middle School

17. Fingerprint self-portraits

Before working on this project, have students gather old magazines to bring in for inspiration. To begin, have students go through the magazines to find words that appeal to them and describe themselves. Then, have them draw the outline of their fingerprint on a piece of paper and paste the words down.

18. Vortex drawings

Learning to draw vortexes is a fun exercise that is developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers! Follow the video tutorial above.

19. Mixed-media still life

Students will love the agency they have over this project since they get to choose what materials to use for their mixed media (newspaper, magazines, cardboard, etc.). Learning to draw from a still life setup is a vital part of any art education, and we think the addition of the mixed media really ups the ante.

20. Skyline printmaking

Printmaking is a fun lesson to teach at any age, but we think it is perfect for middle schoolers. This project begins with creating a stamp of a cityscape out of a foam plate and then transferring it to paper using a paint roller. You may choose to have students begin this lesson by painting their background first with watercolors. 

Learn more: Printmaking at Painted Paper Art

21. One-point perspective

Learning about perspective is certainly one of the foremost lessons in any art education. This video does a good job teaching how to use one-point perspective to re-create a school hallway.

22. Keith Haring–inspired art

Keith Haring was easily one of the most influential artists of the 1980s. His legacy includes bringing graffiti art into the mainstream as well as drawing attention to the AIDS epidemic. This video is a good introduction to the artist and his work and even includes a visual art lesson on how students can create their own Haring-inspired artwork.

23. Pop art sculpture

The main objective of this project is to task your students with creating a 3D television sculpture in a pop art style. Have them bring in an empty shoebox and then provide them with a number of different materials. Before getting started, be sure to go over background, middle ground, and foreground.

Learn more: Prime Time Televisions at Davis Art

24. Personalized soda can label

This art project is simple, and it teaches students about marketing and brand design. Just have students design their very own soda can label complete with text and corresponding images.

Learn more: Personal Soda Can Label at The Art of Education University

25. Water droplet drawing

This is a great lesson on creating dimension on a flat surface. It also introduces students to the concept of shading. Your students will get a kick out of watching their water droplets come to life using nothing more than a pencil and paper.

What are your favorite middle school art projects to do in the classroom? Come and share your ideas in our  We Are Teachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus,  get ideas for collaborative art projects.

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5 Successful One-Day Art Lessons for the Middle School Classroom

We’ve all been there. You start your day with grand intentions for a stellar lesson. Still, your plans are interrupted for whatever reason, and you can’t quite pull it together. Maybe too many students are absent, you have less of an essential supply than you remembered, or a pep rally is cutting your class twenty minutes short. Don’t feel guilty! It happens to the most organized of us. Whether you need a lesson in a pinch or want to plan ahead to teach a quick technique, one-day lessons make great tools to fill your toolbox.

The right one-day lesson does more than just fill time. These quick activities can also be highly engaging! Creating a project from start to finish in one sitting provides immediate satisfaction for students while giving them an opportunity for valuable skill-building. One-day lessons can also introduce larger concepts in a simple way before jumping into a bigger unit. By selecting smaller paper sizes, simplifying materials, and using basic art tools, you will be well on your way to implementing one-day lessons in no time!

The best one-day lessons have built-in potential for success.

Highly successful lessons are enjoyable and engaging. A few other things they have in common include:

• Clear and limited steps.
• Completion in one class period.
• Student autonomy (in material choice, design, color, etc.).
• Scaffolding for future skills and techniques.
• Easy clean-up.

Here are five simple, one-day art lessons that will keep your middle schoolers engaged.

1. crumpled paper “stained glass”.

It doesn’t get much easier than this! Show students a completed version and connect it to patterns found in stained glass windows. Use this History of Stained Glass download below. You can find this resource in the Nature’s Stained Glass Lesson to help you introduce historical connections. Find this lesson and many others in FLEX Curriculum.

Students will have so much fun fracturing and coloring in their paper by following these steps:

• Crumple a half sheet of paper. After re-opening the paper, examine the tons of tiny, fractured shapes and folds.
• Create a “stained glass” look using a pencil or ultra-fine permanent marker to outline every shape. It’s fun to see the look on students’ faces when you casually mention this!
• Color in each shape, using colored pencils for a soft look or markers for a bold one. Alternate colors so that no two shapes with the same color are touching.

This wonderfully simple lesson subtly requires persistence to complete and encourages thoughtful decision-making in the color arrangement. If papers are well-crumpled and students take their time applying color, this project can quickly fill an average class period and is sure to leave students feeling satisfied.

Do you want to extend your lesson?

Try the Lesson, Radial Stained Glass , to continue building the skills from this exercise. This lesson can be found in FLEX Curriculum .

2. Abstract Papercutting

It pays to maintain color-separated boxes of scrap paper throughout the school year for projects like this! Whether you need to reduce the amount you have accumulated or want a fast project to practice color theory, cutting skills, and composition, this one’s for you. Your artists can practice warm and cool or complementary colors depending on your curriculum goals. They can also demonstrate more advanced cutting techniques such as overlapping, layering, and emphasis.

Students begin abstract papercutting by following these steps:

• Select a large piece of colorful construction paper as a base.
• Cut organic shapes from contrasting colored pieces of scrap paper using scissors.
• Apply glue to the back of each organic shape.
• Arrange the organic shapes on the base construction paper to create an exciting composition.

You can seamlessly connect this activity to a unit about Henri Matisse’s cut-outs or an intermediate-level lesson to create a Recycled Paper Abstract Collage . Find this collage lesson and many others in our FLEX Curriculum .

3. Suminagashi Paper Marbling

Suminagashi paper marbling is a little-known, magical activity that wins students over every time . The process utterly mesmerizes students and teaches them how to experiment with patterns and color. As a bonus, students will generate multiple sheets of decorative paper for use in future projects. Suminagashi is so fun that students will even enjoy watching others do it!

Pre-packaged kits make a suminagashi lesson easy, or you can purchase a few bulk materials to have on hand.

Here’s how to get started:

• Fill shallow trays with water.
• Drop the paper dot that comes with the kits into the water.
• Squeeze a drop of the suminagashi ink onto the dot and watch as it magically pushes the dot through the water!
• Add several subsequent drops in varying colors to create patterns.
• Manipulate the dot and influence the ink’s pattern on the water’s surface using a paintbrush or chopstick. Students will enjoy experimenting with different techniques, such as blowing the water or gently tilting the tray to see how their patterns change. Be careful not to “overmix” the ink, or colors and patterns may become muddy.
• Gently lay a piece of paper on the water’s surface for a few seconds.
• Starting from one corner, lift the paper in one smooth motion to reveal the ink design adhered to the paper.
• Allow the paper to dry.

After an experiment or two, students will learn which colors and techniques produce their desired results. Make sure you have enough kits for each station or table group in your classroom so students can try creating several papers.

Once the papers have dried, you can incorporate them in future lessons about bookbinding, visual journaling, or collage. Try using the paper as a background in the lesson, Watercolor Coral Collage, or integrate it into a Painted Paper Weaving artwork. Find both of these lessons in FLEX Curriculum . No matter how you choose to connect this activity to your lessons, students are sure to love this intriguing process.

4. Watercolor and Salt Paintings

A fun way to scaffold watercolor projects and talk about science is by experimenting with watercolor and salt. Salt absorbs water through the process of osmosis. Students investigate color mixing by allowing painted areas to bleed into one another. Encourage them to observe how varying amounts of water and salt types in different areas correlate to the final, dried result.

This low-stakes exercise allows students to test out hypotheses about salt’s effect on watercolor paint by following these steps:

• Apply watercolor paint to watercolor paper using the wet-on-dry method.
• Sprinkle salt over the watercolor paint.
• Wet dry areas of the paper with water and then apply watercolor paint using the wet-on-wet method. Allow the paint to pool, and sprinkle salt into the pools.
• Allow areas of watercolor paints to mix, and apply salt.
• After the paper has thoroughly dried, brush the salt off the paper over a trash can and observe the effect it has created.

Once students understand how salt applications affect watercolor paint, they can try  Hide/Seek: The Art of Camouflage. In this lesson, students approach science from a different angle and practice more control of their salt application to create their desired outcome. Look for this lesson in FLEX Curriculum .

5. Value Scale Water Droplet

This small but mighty pencil and paper assignment is a tried and true plan for working with the most limited materials to generate the most significant impact. Students will be delighted as they work to create the illusion of a water droplet on paper. Plus, it’s easier than it looks!

With a piece of paper, pencil, and eraser at the ready, start creating droplets by following these steps:

• Draw one to three circles on your paper.
• Select which angle you will have a light source coming from. The example above shows the light source shining from the upper left corner of the paper.
• Sketch a crescent moon shape on the light source’s side of the circle and shade it with a medium to light gradation.
• At the outer edge of the crescent, the circle’s outline will have the deepest shaded value. It should lighten and fade toward the center of the circle. The lightest value should be at the circle’s center and out toward the opposite side. Students may want to use their erasers during the blending process.
• Add “shine” highlights on the crescent by creating rounded rectangular shapes.
• Complete the effect with the shadow cast on the side farthest from the light source by shading it with the deepest value.

Students will be thrilled to try their hand at these four additional value scale activities .

Let your one-day lessons do double duty.

There are many different times when a one-class lesson makes the most sense to implement. First, consider which skills you want your students to practice and how to maximize their learning. Is your goal to introduce a larger unit later or to briefly reinforce existing skills? Then, use one of these quick-to-organize lessons to create fun and satisfying masterpieces. You will be amazed at how engaging one-class projects can be and how prepared your students will feel to level up to the next assignment. Give yourself some breathing room, and then get back to your regularly-scheduled plans without guilt.

What are your most effective one-day art lesson ideas for middle school?

How do you use one-day lessons to scaffold larger units?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Andrea Wlodarczyk

Andrea Wlodarczyk, a former middle school art educator, is a former AOEU Writer. She is a deep believer that the art room can be a brave space for students to collaborate across cultures, languages, academics, and socioeconomics and celebrate self-expression and diversity through community.

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Pythagoras and Picasso: Integrating Math and Art in the Classroom

Here are seven ways teachers can use works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and other artists to teach elementary and middle school math.

Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist.” If that’s the case, shouldn’t our students be afforded opportunities to create art in their daily lives? Arts integration is possible in all subject areas and can yield the multimodal, engaging activities students crave. Multimodal experiences can also activate the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and foster synaptogenesis .

I focus here on the integration of visual arts with mathematics. Let’s explore seven activities that would make Pythagoras smile.

Art for math’s sake

Andy Warhol–inspired multiplication arrays: In this project, show your students examples of Andy Warhol’s pop art, such as his Marilyn Monroe or Campbell’s Soup can pieces. Discuss the multiplication problems depicted in Warhol’s work. For example, in the Marilyn Monroe piece on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art, the array would depict the multiplication problem 20 x 5 = 100. There are 20 images of Monroe across and five images down. Then, challenge your students to create their own array with an image of their choosing. After they complete the arrays, have students share them with each other and explain their arrays and corresponding equations. When I taught this project, I had my students create their work by hand with paper and coloring supplies; however, this could certainly be done in an online format with software like Canva. Students can share their work orally, in person, or virtually through Flip or Seesaw. My students had a blast creating and sharing their array artwork, and it brought mathematics to life for them. This project was authentic and helped students make real-world connections. Shape hunts with images of famous works of art: This is a fun activity for students of any age and works great as a hook for a lesson. Look for images of famous works of art on Google or on the websites of art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Find some of your favorite pieces and put them in a slide show for students to view. Have students discuss the various shapes that they see with the whole group, in small groups, or with a think-pair-share method. For example, my students have noted the crescent in van Gogh’s The Starry Night painting.

Symmetry of nature photography: Another fun way to integrate visual arts and mathematics is through nature photography. This can be photography from the internet or photography shot by your students with iPads or mobile devices. Have students view and analyze the symmetry, or lack thereof, in the photos. This activity could lend itself to a choice board activity, a whole group activity, or an extension activity after a unit on symmetry. A possible extension activity for this project itself could be compiling a class book of symmetry found in student-taken nature photography. Analyzing patterns through art: Patterns are everywhere in the world around us, and teaching students this problem-solving skill is vital to their 21st-century skill development. By showing students designs, prints, and images made with various colors, shapes, and textures from the internet or by local artists, you can facilitate opportunities for students to discuss their findings and engage in metacognition. An added layer to this arts-integrated mathematics lesson would be having students create patterns for their peers to analyze. Shape art gallery project-based learning (PBL): This is a project that I used with my elementary school students and borrowed from PBLWorks . After teaching my students about two- and three- dimensional shapes, I had them sketch items they saw in my classroom and around the school in their notebooks. Then, my students re-created their sketches with art supplies like construction paper, stickers, coloring supplies, and pipe cleaners. After they made their art, my students acted as artists in a museum to tell their peers about the work and the shapes found within it. Geometry and area/perimeter zoo PBL: My students enjoyed this unit after learning about how to calculate areas and perimeters and reviewed two-dimensional shapes. They used graph paper to design and draw their own zoo maps. I asked them to create exhibits on their maps for any animals they wanted to, but they had to include an exhibit that looked like each of the following shapes: circle, square, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, and triangle. We talked about all of those shapes in the geometry unit. Then, the students had to calculate the areas and perimeters of each exhibit on the map and label it accordingly. On the due date of the project, my students shared their zoo maps with their peers and other adults from around the school.

One-to-one correspondence with Picasso and Mondrian: One of the building blocks of mathematics is counting and one-to-one correspondence. Without this skill, students wouldn’t be able to successfully execute other mathematical operations. The concept of one-to-one correspondence could be reinforced with shapes, colors, and visual arts. I chose to use works by Picasso and Mondrian for my lessons, but any artist’s work could be used to count shapes and colors.

Picasso and Mondrian are two artists who used lots of shapes in their artwork; Picasso has numerous facial features to count, and Mondrian uses many rectangles and squares. Have students count the different shapes in previously selected works by these two artists. Then students can record their responses and even graph the number of shapes in the artwork.

The above ideas hopefully will be stepping stones for you to design meaningful, relevant, and intentional arts-integrated mathematics lessons and activities for your students. Some additional technology resources to use include Google Arts & Culture , Google Drawings, PBS LearningMedia , The Kennedy Center , and generative AI such as Google Gemini , ChatGPT , or MagicSchool AI .