Marshall Elementary School

 

The Traveling Art Gallery (T.A.G.) Is an art appreciation program which different prints of artworks by famous artists are presented by volunteers to elementary classrooms throughout the district on a rotating monthly basis. Below, you will find frequently asked questions regarding the T.A.G. program.

This program supplements the existing art education program by introducing the children to famous artists. The goals of this program are to develop each child's interest in art and stimulate his or her ability to form a personal opinion and enjoy a variety of works of art.

Funds for the acquisition of the original set of prints and framing were provided through a grant from the North Allegheny Foundation of Excellence. Additional sets were funded through a partnership comprised of the Foundation, North Allegheny School District, and the eight P.F.A's/P.T.O.'s.

Volunteers present a particular art print to each classroom at a given grade level on a monthly basis. The print remains in each classroom for a month and then "moves" with the volunteer to another classroom.

Each volunteer develops an interesting presentation (20 - 30 minutes) of a print assigned to him/her at a given grade level. Materials and supplementary art work are given to each volunteer to assist him/her in developing their presentation. Volunteers are assisted by an art expert and the art teachers as needed. A training session is held prior to scheduled presentations to orient the volunteers and distribute prints and materials.

T.A.G. is organized through a network of parent volunteers. It is essential that each building participating in T.A.G. have a parent volunteer coordinator(s) as well as volunteer for each classroom.

• Prior to presentations:
• Recruiting volunteers.
• Organizing training session for volunteers.
• Assisting and distributing prints.
• Working with building principal and teachers to develop a presentation schedule.

• At conclusion of presentations:
• Overseeing collection of prints/folders.
• Distributing and collecting volunteer and teacher evaluation forms.
• Checking the general condition of the prints, wrapping and labeling the prints, and placing the prints in the designated storage area.

• Developing a presentation for assigned print.
• Organizing any necessary materials for the presentation and checking with the classroom teacher for available materials and resources in the classroom. (e.g., record players, crayons, paper, etc.)
• Contacting classroom teacher prior to the scheduled presentation to briefly review plans and soliciting "helpful hints" on making presentations successful.
• On first T.A.G. day, bringing print to presentation -- on subsequent T.A.G. days, picking up print from previous month's classroom and transporting it to the next destination.
• At conclusion of T.A.G. program, writing up a brief description of your presentation and placing it in the folder on the back of your print. Presenters may also wish to include copies of articles, prints, etc. that were helpful in preparing the presentation.
• Filling out an evaluation form and returning it to the T.A.G. Coordinator.

• Please note: If you cannot make a scheduled T.A.G. presentation, please contact your classroom teacher to reschedule presentations at a mutually convenient time!