Museum trips for Phila. students

Every fourth grader in the Philadelphia School District - 14,000 students in all - will get a free trip to one of the region's art museums thanks to a new program announced yesterday.

Trumpeted by Mayor Nutter, Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and members of the arts community, the program was made possible by a $247,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and funds from other organizations.

"This will provide a wonderful opportunity to develop and sustain the cultural and social health of our children," Ackerman said.

The aim is to introduce students to museums and art concepts while emphasizing reading and writing skills. Fourth-grade teachers will soon receive a manual with activities, a DVD to introduce students to the program, and posters.

By visiting area galleries, program sponsors hope students will gain exposure to a variety of artists like Henri Matisse, Faith Ringgold, Alexander Calder and Winslow Homer.

The institutions participating include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Fabric Workshop and Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Marla Shoemaker, senior curator of education at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, hailed the program, called Art Speaks, as "a milestone collaboration. Never before have five art institutions in the region worked together on a project like this."

Planning for the program began in 2006. More than 25 schools have participated in a pilot version of the program since last spring.