The National Portrait Gallery has this week launched a new online resource for those studying and teaching Art & Design and History through portraiture.
Its Schools hub features more than 150 newly commissioned learning resources and videos, all linked to the Art & Design and History National Curriculum.
The hub has been developed by and with teachers, artists, historians and education experts and combines the Gallery’s remote, school-based and in-person offers into a one programme.
It will connect students with artists whose work forms part of the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection.
The Gallery surveyed UK teachers working in state and independent primary, secondary and SEND schools. That research suggests that 85% of secondary History teachers wanted better resources relating to neglected histories.
It also suggests that 79% of surveyed secondary Art & Design teachers flagged their need for resources relating to the expression of identity in British society through portraiture. 64% also shared their need for resources concerning Black British History.
The Schools hub resources have been specially created in response to the research. It includes artist demonstrations, and interviews with arts professionals.
Tom Jones, Lecturer in Art & Design Education at UCL Institute of Education said: “The resources in Schools hub take an accessible and exploratory approach to portraiture that will benefit teachers and learners alike. It balances the specificity and power of Art & Design as a subject, whilst fostering productive links and critical conversations across other areas of the curriculum.”
The Schools hub forms part of the Gallery’s Inspiring People project, which physically culminated with the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in June.
