ES HA Art curator's project

For this project, students took on the role of museum curators, creating their own visual art exhibitions that reflect what their generation wants to express to the world. The process involved several key stages, from brainstorming ideas to setting up and presenting their work:
Students began by discussing themes that define their generation. Topics ranged from mental health and digital culture to social justice and personal identity. Each group selected a central message they wanted to convey and came up with a creative title for their exhibition.
Each group came up with 5-6 visual pieces, which included their own artwork, memes, photographs, or digital media. They considered how each piece contributed to the overall theme and crafted a short rationale explaining its significance.
To ensure their exhibition was engaging and visually coherent, students planned how they would arrange their pieces within the classroom. They also designed an introductory poster, which included the exhibition’s title, the curators' names, and a short overview of choices. Students also had the opportunity to explore other exhibitions, read the descriptions, and discuss the different perspectives presented.
By the end of the lesson, the classroom had transformed into a mini-gallery, offering a powerful and thought-provoking glimpse into what this generation values and wishes to communicate to the world.

Instructions: 

1. Form groups
   Work in groups of 3–4 students. Choose a group name if you'd like!

2. Brainstorm & discuss
   Together, talk about what your generation stands for or struggles with. Use brainstorming tools (mind maps, sticky notes, etc.) to collect ideas.

3. Choose a theme
   Decide on a central theme or message your exhibition will convey. Examples: Identity, Digital Life, Climate Anxiety, Freedom of Expression, Resilience, etc.

4. Create or ollect artworks (5–6 pieces)
   Your exhibition must include 5–6 visual art pieces, which can be:

   • Drawings, paintings, or collages (handmade or digital)

   • Memes or digitally edited images

   • Symbolic photographs or photos of personal objects

   • Mixed media or sculpture (if manageable)

   At least 2 pieces must be original creations made by group members.

5. Write rationales
   For each artwork, write a short explanation (3–5 sentences) that tells:

   • What the piece represents

   • Why you chose it

   • How it connects to the overall theme

6. Design an introductory poster
   Make a poster that includes:

   • The exhibition title

   • Curators' (your group’s) names

   • A short paragraph summarizing your exhibition’s key message(s)

7. Plan the display
   Think about how to organize the exhibition in the classroom:

   • How will the artworks be arranged?

   • Will you add lighting, background music, or props?

   • Who will set up what?

8. Set up your exhibition
   Bring all materials to class and set up your exhibition on March 17 during the lesson. Make sure everything is ready for presentation.

9. Present & view
   Each group will introduce their exhibition to the class (2–3 minutes per group).
   Then students will walk around the classroom to view others’ exhibitions and read the descriptions.