Classroom Art Videos

I thought I would share a collection of videos that I use in my art room. Below are links to great resources with recommendations for activities and age groups! This collection came in handy for my during distance learning when I wanted students to watch something - ANYTHING - that wasn't narrated by me. 

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What is Art (Ele-High) - This is a fun and engaging video on what art actually is and the much needed discussion on conceptual art. I think this would be beneficial for an introductory course lesson on any kind of modern art. 
Engineers to the Rescue! (Middle/High) - I use this when I talk about Abu Simbal with my Arts and Humanities kids. It can be really cool for those interested in science and engineering as well. Really shows the scope of the project and problem solving involved.
Egyptian Art History (High) - Great summary/review of the conventions of ancient Egyptian art. I let my A&H kids watch this before we take a quiz over the unit.
Ghost Choir (Ele-High) - I thought this was so cute and I had my students watch this for Halloween. Many of my high schoolers are interested in animation and I think this could introduce a good discussion on that and what current artists working in the industry are creating. 
Jazza (High) - I’ve shown my students this video during our online learning. His videos are really engaging and popular on youtube. He does art challenges and is always trying different mediums. I think his videos could be a good way to keep some of my students thinking about and being invested in art. 
DOs and DON’Ts: Watercolor (Middle/High) - I think this video can be really helpful for beginners in watercolor. It shows good techniques and common mistakes in a much more time-sensitive way then I could in my classroom. This could help students identify mistakes and understand why it happened. 
Watercolor Negative Painting (High) - I LOVE this watercolor technique and I’ve seen my students create some really neat paintings using it. It’s a different way of approaching watercolor, that I think many students wouldn’t be aware of or consider. It can also really help them stretch those value ranges in watercolor.
Matthew Sorgie Art TikToks (Middle/High) - I’ve shown my students this artist on TikTok during online learning because all of his artwork and tutorials are created using regular pencils, markers, and highlighters. It helps them understand that they can create cool things with the simple materials they may have around the house. Also stresses the importance of drawing diverse figures and how to do that! They love TikToks too.
The Four Seasons (Ele-High) - This video is much more for my art and humanities students, but it’s a pretty fun activity I discovered last year and have enjoyed. I play them an excerpt from each of the four seasons out of order. Their job is to listen closely to the music and guess which season it is. This can be included with music history, analysis, or appreciation. 
Cartoon Network Magical Zoetrope (Ele-High) - This is a great video for a lesson in early photography and video production showing how the zoetrope actually works and what it looks like when played. It’s a bit older so I imagine most of the younger students wouldn’t recognize some of the cartoons, but my high schoolers still do. 
Marina Abramovic Rhythm 0 (High) - Great video describing one of Abramovic’s most famous works, Rhythm 0. Most of my students have a difficult time understanding performance art as anything other than silly. Abramovic is the artist I tend to use for explaining performance art. It brings up a lot of great discussion ideas on who was the artist, an artist’s purpose, and big questions like the nature of humanity. Some nudity and heavy ideas in it.
Marina Abramovic Rhythm 0 (High) - Great video describing one of Abramovic’s most famous works, Rhythm 0. Most of my students have a difficult time understanding performance art as anything other than silly. Abramovic is the artist I tend to use for explaining performance art. It brings up a lot of great discussion ideas on who was the artist, an artist’s purpose, and big questions like the nature of humanity. Some nudity and heavy ideas in it. 
Maria Abramovic & Ulay MOMA (High) - An example of a relatively recent Abramovic work. Emotional performance art, and I think it’s important for them to see what is currently being made. Also a good reference to Abramovic’s own history with a former partner/artist. Good for my academic team kids to know. 
Hugo Ball: Karawane (Middle/High) - I have my students watch this and it is probably why they think performance art is silly. Fun example for showing them Dada art. Could also print off the script of the sound poem for them and have them follow along. 
Ancient Greek Vase Production and the Black-Figure Technique (High) - Explains the way that the Greeks created their amphora vases well. I have them watch this before doing a Greek vase project. Good visuals for clay.
Step into Infinity with Yayoi Kusama (High) - My kids all know I LOVE Yayoi Kusama. This is a short video showing many of her awesome installations, and in it she explains her purpose for creating them. It provides some of her background as well. I’ll often have them view this, and show them two infinity rooms. I’ll ask them to compare/contrast what it would feel like to be in the spaces. Her rooms are very popular with social media as well if you can tie that in. 
Magical Mask Change (Ele-High) - I’ve shown this to my students when presenting a lesson on cultural face masks or Japanese theater. Typically this will be before we create our own plaster masks. 
Hand Drawn Flipbook Compilation (Middle/High) - A ton of examples for a flipbook. I’ve shown this to my students for inspiration before creating our own. 
Kitbull (Ele-High) - I will never hesitate to show my students a short animated video. They’re so expressive and beautiful. I always get inspired and excited about art and animation after watching one. 
Jackson Pollack 51 (High) - Short video where Jackson Pollack explains his process of creating a work of art. Good for a lesson in abstract expressionism/action painting. I feel like this video really shows the spontaneousness of his work. It’s a bit old with poor quality, however. 
Walt Disney’s Destino (High) - A collaboration between Disney and Salvador Dali. Provides them a feel for surrealism with the familiarity of a Disney short film. Good to show when discussing any of Dali’s works.