History of Art: Visual Analysis and Exhibition Design
This two-week, hands-on course introduces high school students to the methods of visual analysis and curatorial thinking central to the study of the history of art and architecture. Meeting daily on the UMass Amherst campus (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), students will explore the Five College museum collections and architectural landmarks to learn how to look closely, think critically, and communicate clearly about visual form.
Students will spend mornings engaging in seminar-style discussions and visual analysis workshops, using images, sketching, and short writing exercises to deepen their understanding of how artworks and buildings communicate meaning through form, style, and material. Afternoon sessions will focus on site visits to museums and architectural sites across the Five Colleges, including guided tours and reflective activities. Midway through the course, students will begin collaborative work on their final exhibition project, culminating in a public opening at the Greenbaum Gallery.
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Field Trips:
Students will frequently visit local museums and architectural sites throughout Five Colleges: UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College and Hampshire College.
- Daily seminar-style discussions
- Afternoon museum and architectural site tours
- Daily Assignments: Short visual analysis and sketching exercises in a field notebook
- Comparative Analysis Essay: A 2-page written analysis comparing two works of art or architecture
Final Exhibition Project: Working in small teams, students will curate a thematic exhibition at the Greenbaum Gallery featuring reproductions of works from the Five College collections. Students will research and select images, compose short wall labels, and design an exhibition booklet or digital presentation. The course concludes with a public opening for students and their families.
Pre-Requisites:
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Required Materials:
- Laptop (for writing and digital project work)
- Comfortable walking shoes for site visits
- A sketchbook or notebook and pencils/pens for note-taking will be provided
Software / Tools: Access to Google Workspace (Docs, Slides) for collaborative writing and presentation design, as well as online museum databases (Five College Museums, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc.) for image selection, will be provided.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Conduct detailed visual analyses of artworks and architectural spaces using appropriate terminology.
- Communicate interpretive insights effectively through written, oral, and visual presentation formats.
- Collaborate in small teams to conceptualize and design a thematic exhibition, from object selection to wall labels.
- Reflect critically on the role of museums, curators, and art historians in shaping visual knowledge.
- Identify potential academic and career pathways in art history, architectural history, and museum studies.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00–10:30 am |
Morning check-in and overview of the day's objectives Lecture: introduction to visual analysis |
| 10:30–10:45 am | Break |
|
10:45 am–12:00 pm |
In-class workshop: Applying visual analysis to works of art or |
|
12:00–1:00 pm |
Lunch Break |
|
1:00–3:15 pm |
Site visits: Museums or architectural landmarks across the Five |
|
3:15–4:00 pm |
Afternoon discussion / project work: Writing short exhibition texts, group reflections, or planning final exhibition projects |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College