Learning resources

Art is a tool that can help us make sense of the world around us. Teachers and artists agree that education and art have 3 key things in common: they help us develop a sense of self; they help us to think and they help our wellbeing. Use the following resources, videos and slide shows to explore identity, critical thinking and wellbeing within the curriculum. 

Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing

Visual language is a powerful form of communication that can help us connect, express feelings or ideas and develop our mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. These resources explore the health benefits of art in a variety of ways: from the science behind how art helps us feel good, to slowing down, noticing and making sense of the world around us.  

Can art be good for you?

Find out what’s happening in our brain when we look at and make art. For all ages. (8 minute video)

Outdoor learning

Motivate learners with these 10 simple challenges that can be used in any outdoor space. For all ages. 

How to look at art

Simple prompts to start a conversation about any artwork. For all ages. 

Literacy and numeracy

Literacy and numeracy

Inspire learners to develop their numeracy and literacy skills with these tried and tested activities. 

The beauty of maths

Inspire learning about maths, through art. For early, first and second levels. 

How to look at art

Simple prompts to start a conversation about any artwork. For all ages.

Learning through pictures

Find out how pictures can inspire cross-curricular learning. These popular activities have proven effective for all ages.

Maths in motion

This resource offers six activities to ignite interest in both maths and art. For early, first and second level. 

Your Art World

Your Art World

Your Art World is an online community by and for 3 to 18-year-olds: a place to think, wonder, create and share your art online. Find resources and open-ended challenges to inspire critical thinking, play and individual voice.

Self Identity

Self Identity

These resources look beyond visual appearance, to question who we are and who we could become. A self-portrait can reveal so much more than the way we look. What shapes who we are and how we see ourselves?

What is a portrait?

Listen to artists, gallery staff and visitors describing what a portrait is to them. For all ages. (4 minute video)

Scottish Identity

Use images to explore Scottish identity. For second, third, fourth and senior levels. 

Careers in the visual arts

Raise awareness of jobs within the visual arts. For second, third, fourth and senior levels. 

Why are there so few female artists?

Find out why you’re likely to see more men than women in galleries. Recommended for third, fourth and senior levels. (9 minute video)

Critical Thinking & Making

Critical Thinking & Making

Creativity and employability are linked. Children and young people need opportunities to take ownership of their own learning and thinking if they are to thrive in our rapidly changing world. These practical activities encourage learners to think for themselves and develop their creativity skills: curiosity, open-mindedness, problem-solving and imagination.

Good art | Who decides?

Use these tried and tested actvities to explore the value of art. Recommended for second, third and fourth levels. 

Does a portrait need a face?

Explore ideas about identity and portraiture. Recommended for second, third and fourth levels. 

The beauty of maths

Inspire learning about maths, through art. For early, first and second levels. 

What is art for?

Use this short film as a starting point to explore and expand your group's ideas about art. For all ages. (6 minute video)

How to create your visual voice

Help learners express ideas or protest injustice effectively. Contains reference to school shootings. For second level and above. (5 minute video)

Learning through pictures

Find out how pictures can inspire cross-curricular learning. These popular activities have proven effective for all ages. 

10 things to do in a gallery

Nobody else sees art the way you do. Here are 10 ideas to help you look and start a conversation. For all ages. 

Who decides the value of art?

This short film introduces the idea that art is worth more than money. For third, fourth and senior levels. (8 minute video)

Scotland and chattel slavery through art

Introduce Scotland's links to chattel slavery, with reference to formerly enslaved activist Frederick Douglass. For third, fourth and senior levels. 

Make and Resist

Three art activities inspired by artists of colour, to help explore injustice and bring about change in society. Recommended for third, fourth and senior levels. 

How to experiment

Practical guides to using everyday materials, demonstrating experiments with cardboard, ink, pencil, 3D and outdoor art. For all ages. (A series of 3-6 minute videos)

Art & artists

Art & artists

Dig deeper into the world of art and artists with these short films, biographies and articles.

Explore Art & Artists

Artist A-Z

Browse over a thousand highlighted artists from the collection.

Contemporary Art in Scotland

What do we mean when we talk about Contemporary Art?

Glossary

Our online art glossary provides context for the terminology used on our site. Explore over 50 terms and discover related artists and artworks.

What is...?

A series of accessible short films introducing art terms, movements & styles including: the Avant-garde, Cubism, Dada, Expressionism, Impressionism, Pop Art, Surrealism and Symbolism.

Questions about Art

In this series of five films we explore some frequent musings about art - using questions asked by our audiences. What makes a painting iconic? Why aren't there more female artists? Why can’t I touch artworks ?

Artist In Profile

These videos aim to give an insight into the spaces where artists create their work, and the places that inspire them.

ARTIST ROOMS Learning resources

ARTIST ROOMS Learning resources

ARTIST ROOMS is a collection of modern and contemporary art and includes major bodies of work by more than 40 international artists. These Learning resources are for teachers, educators and students working with the ARTIST ROOMS collection.

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Art UK Learning Resources

Art UK Learning Resources

Art UK is the online home for every public collection in the UK. Their learning resources are designed to support learning across the primary and secondary curriculum. One of their Superpower of Looking lessons focuses on Velázquez's An Old Woman Cooking Eggs from the National Galleries of Scotland collection.

Learning & Engagement contact details

If you're looking for more information on our learning programmes, please get in touch with our team who will be happy to advise and help plan your group visit.

+44 (0)131 624 6410

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