To kickstart your Spotlight project, schedule a classroom visit from a McNay educator. The visit includes in-depth looking at a reproduction of the Spotlight selection and an art historical background of the artist and the work of art. Students learn how to look closely and theorize the style or content of the work of art supported by visual evidence.

A museum visit is a great way to prepare for Spotlight. On a free student tour, students closely examine the Spotlight selection in person and consider how and why it was made with the help of a museum docent. For more information on how to schedule a student tour, visit our Tours page.

Spotlight projects can take on many forms and are not limited to visual art but can also include poetry and film. The goal is to respond to the work of art in a creative way. That could be a science experiment, a choreographed dance, or a video game.

Spotlight encourages experimentation. Students learn problem solving skills as they experiment, evaluate the results, and adapt their approach.

Combined artworks must not exceed 4’x4’×4’ per teacher and should weigh less than 10 lbs. There is no minimum size. Small, individual, or collaborative projects are recommended. We cannot accept any artworks with organic materials including but not limited to dried/fresh flowers, sticks, sand, or scented materials. A.I. generated artwork is prohibited. Please contact the Education Manager if you’re unsure about anything.

The culmination of this year-long focus is the Spotlight Celebration, where students have a forum to showcase their finished projects and talk about the creative process. Parents, teachers, administrators, and friends are invited to this free celebration (up to 4 guests per student).

Spotlight is an annual program that invites students to make creative responses to one work of art in the Museum’s collection. Read through some frequently asked questions:

• Teacher FAQ
• Parent FAQ