Curriculum Connection: Social Studies

Activists unite! Students will be presented with historical and contemporary artworks that advocate for social change and bring attention to local, national and global issues. Students will create a two-dimensional textile work that expresses a ‘call to action’ using recycled fabric, collage, fibre arts and hand sewing techniques. 

Students will begin their day at The Power Plant learning about the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 exhibitions. Students will then head to Harbourfront Centre and participate in a half-day visual arts program that allows students to share their connections and responses to the exhibition. 

In this half day program, students will gain an understanding of the block printing process and insight into how artists draw inspiration from the world around them. Students will design a printing plate using foam and then print using a repeat pattern to create their very own piece of gift wrap.

How can Harbourfront Centre’s unique waterfront location provide inspiration for artistic expression?  Program Description  Our 10-acre campus provides a picturesque background for our outdoor Waterfront Explorations, especially once spring weather arrives!  These programs are taught in our outdoor event tents and provide you and your students with the chance to participate in an unforgettable end […]

In Partnership with KUUMBA, we offer this screen-printing program for February! In this full-day program, students will explore how textile arts have impacted social change across diverse communities and use this as inspiration to design and screen-print their own wearable patch, bringing awareness to a social justice issue that is of importance to them.

Encounter a kaleidoscope of culture in two of Toronto’s most exciting and diverse communities! In this workshop, your students will understand changing demographic patterns and uncover the fascinating cultural histories of Kensington Market and Chinatown.   Students will arrive onsite at Harbourfront Centre and participate in a 30-45-minute introductory presentation describing the history of Kensington Market […]

Students enjoy a truly experiential learning opportunity as they explore our 10-acre campus, building connections between the relevant social studies or science curriculum areas. Discover the beauty of Harbourfront Centre’s waterfront community and everything it has to offer!  Kindergarten: Community Helpers  Grades 1–3: The Waterfront Community Grade 1: The Local Community (SS) Grade 2: Global Communities (SS) Grade […]

Textile Arts brings communities together and encourages collaboration. Students discuss contemporary and traditional textile works that have encouraged storytelling. Students create a collaborative piece based on a cherished memory involving friends or family using recycled fabrics, collage and fibre arts techniques.

Students will learn how textile arts can bring communities together and encourage collaboration. Students will be presented with historical and contemporary artworks that advocate for social change. Students will create a two-dimensional textile work that brings awareness to a social justice issue within their community.

Students gain an understanding of the printmaking process and insight into how artists draw inspiration from the world around them. With the support of our Artist Educators, students explore the collograph printmaking process by collaging an imaginary animal using textured materials, then ink and print at least one image!

Students will be supported through the reduction process, carving away their soft linoleum blocks to create colourful, layered prints. Students draw inspiration from examining works by prominent artists, focusing on prints by Inuit artists. Students will learn about editions and leave with their unique prints. 

Your students will be introduced to a brief history of relief printmaking by examining the artworks of prominent artists, focusing on prints by Inuit artists. Students will design, carve and print a series of colourful relief prints. Students will learn the techniques of relief printmaking using a soft linoleum block. 

Students will examine printed artwork by celebrated artists. They will discover texture through the art of collograph – a relief collage used to make prints. Best of all, students will leave with a series of colourful prints. 

Students will explore different forms of governance, and what that means for the history of treaty making between Indigenous and settler groups in the Great Lakes region. This program covers historical treaties, and is suitable as introductory content, while still offering perspectives and activities for those with more extensive knowledge. Students will have discussions surrounding […]

Inspired by one of Jamaica’s famous storytellers – Louise Bennett-Coverley, fondly known as “Miss Lou” – our storytelling program will begin with discussing the importance of sharing stories to learn about ourselves and others. Next, students will hear a favourite story of Miss Lou to honour her legacy. Students will then create their accordion book, […]

From street to stage, urban dance presents new ways to move! Drawing on different urban dance styles, students will develop their own unique dance vocabulary. 

In this active workshop, students will work with an experienced dance educator to explore the elements of hip hop and the elements of dance. 

This active and inspiring program highlights the rich history and traditions of Latin dance. Students will develop a vocabulary of Latin dance styles and demonstrate their understanding of these dance forms through creation and performance. 

Students will explore what makes contemporary dance unique and relevant. Through improvisation and choreographic exercises, students will expand their understanding of the elements of dance to create a collaborative composition. 

Students explore the far-reaching traditions of making masks across a variety of cultures. These references will inspire students to make a unique clay mask using hand-building techniques. 

Welcome to the exciting world of sculpture. Your students will learn about the historical significance and current practice of using sculptural creatures as a vehicle for storytelling, protection, decoration or to serve a functional purpose on buildings, entranceways and gardens across cultures. These reference images will spark students to create a ceramic sculpture using hand-building […]