Join us in inspiring Central’s students through art—right in your child’s classroom! For years, this program has been made possible by parent volunteers like you. By bringing art history to life, you’ll spark creativity, curiosity, and a love of art in young minds, leaving a lasting impact on their understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions.

Why Participate?

• Impactful: Fun opportunity to engage with your student’s classroom in a meaningful way.
• Minimal Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours (1 hr for prep, 1 hr for classroom visit).
• Supported: We provide everything you need: Presentation guides with artist background info and instructions. PowerPoint slides and speaker talking points. Project suggestions to inspire creativity. Access to our fully stocked supply closet or $20 reimbursement if you need to purchase your own materials!
• No Experience Needed: You don’t need to be familiar with art history to participate! Sessions are designed to be easy for volunteers to lead. Presentations are short (usually five slides) and include a variety of fun, age-appropriate discussion prompts. The focus is on sparking curiosity and encouraging students to imagine the story behind the art.

Looking for other ways to get support the program? Check out the Cultural Arts Program wishlist to help us update the artwork collection and add new items to the art supply closet. 

Our Curriculum in Action: Central’s cultural arts curriculum takes our kids on an exciting journey through art, sparking creativity and helping them discover new ways to express themselves.

The curriculum spans the past five centuries, featuring men and women from more than 20 heritages who have shaped the world of art, representing 33 different art movements along the way!

From exploring colorful themes to discovering the stories behind famous artists, students will learn how these diverse voices have used creativity to express their unique perspectives. Each month, the activities are tailored to match their growth and interests, making learning fun and engaging. These lessons help build skills that last a lifetime. Take a look at what’s coming up in the calendar below!

Our Six Themes:

• Colors & Shapes: Let’s start at the very beginning—after all, every great piece of art is built on a foundation of colors and shapes! From Mondrian’s clean geometry to Frida Kahlo’s vibrant frames, this theme helps students discover the magic in lines, colors, and shapes.
• Stories in Action: Every picture tells a story! From a late-night diner to a bustling Thanksgiving kitchen, to a lazy day by the river, these artists capture everyday moments that inspire curiosity and invite us into the narrative. By exploring these stories, students learn to see the world around them in new ways, understanding how art can reflect and shape our experiences.
• Portraits: A portrait isn’t just about capturing a face—it’s about telling a story. From Andy Warhol’s bold, pop-culture takes on identity to Da Vinci’s iconic Mona Lisa, portraits help us understand the people behind the image. By exploring this theme, students will discover how artists express identity, emotion, and cultural context, learning to see more deeply in the faces around them.
• Enchanted Landscapes: Imagine stepping into a world where the sky spins with stars or where waves are as big as mountains. In this theme, we’ll explore how artists like Van Gogh and Dali paint landscapes that feel alive and full of wonder. Whether we’re riding the waves with Hokusai or floating through O’Keeffe’s dreamy skies, students will discover how art can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
• People in Action: Whether it’s a joyful celebration or a moment of deep introspection, students will explore how action brings art to life! Over the years, they’ll put on their skates and join Bruegel’s skaters on ice, or buckle in beside De Lempicka in her green Bugatti. From sitting in on Tanner’s banjo lesson to jamming with Picasso’s three musicians, students will discover how artists capture energy, emotion, and movement in all its forms.
• Beyond the Canvas: Art isn’t just for galleries—it’s all around us in public spaces! From Chicago’s shiny Bean reflecting the city, to vibrant murals transforming plain walls into powerful stories, public art makes our communities come alive. Students will also explore the world of photography, the timeless beauty of classical sculpture, and even discover the world of “art cars.” This theme shows how art can make a statement and bring people together, no matter where it is.

Click on a grade below to learn more about the artists, artwork, and activities your child will be exploring.

Instructions for Volunteers:

Thank you for sharing your time and enthusiasm with Central’s students! Your involvement in the Cultural Art Program plays a vital role in bringing art history to life and sparking creativity and curiosity. By guiding students through the world of art, you’re helping them build a lifelong appreciation and understanding of cultural heritage, while encouraging their critical thinking and observational skills.

• Prior to volunteering, you must fill out the District Volunteer Form (must be done annually.)
• To volunteer for a session, use the sign-up link provided by the Room Parent for your student’s classroom. At the beginning of the month you’ve volunteered for, please contact your student’s teacher to schedule a time to come to class.
• It’s helpful to do a “dry-run” at home with your student beforehand to anticipate how the students will respond. Reference the talking points in the notes in each slide to get comfortable with what you’ll plan to say and the questions you’ll ask.
• It’s highly recommended to do any material prep work and create a completed example prior to the session. This helps students envision the finished product and complete it within the allotted time.
• You will have access to the school’s wifi and the ability to plug in to a projector. However, to avoid any potential technical difficulties, plan to email your presentation to your student’s teacher prior to the session and print out your talking points/notes.
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time to allow time to sign in, collect supplies from the art supply closet (if necessary), and set up for your presentation.
• Plan to spend 20-25 minutes for your presentation and discussion, and 30 minutes for the project, depending on complexity.
• In the last few minutes of the session, take time to ask the students about what they learned (i.e. “Can you tell me the name of the artist we learned about today? What were they known for? How would you describe the (movement/style) of art?)

Central has a well-stocked art supply closet. However, if you needed to purchase your own materials for a project, you can be reimbursed up to $20 by submitting a reimbursement form. If you have questions about what supplies can be found in the closet, please contact the Cultural Arts Program Chair, Maryjane Bates.

Questions about the program? Please contact Maryjane Bates, Cultural Arts Program Chair.