Education at 500 Capp Street X City Studio
Designed by 500 Capp Street artist and educator Amy Berk, the youth education curriculum fosters hands-on experiences and introduces conceptual art in very accessible terms. Expanding on the artist-driven initiatives of 500 Capp Street, teaching artists are invited to create their own curriculum for workshops built around experimentation, interpretation, and community.
The curriculum is creative, accessible, off-beat, and uniquely positioned as an exploration of the work of David Ireland and conceptual art in general. Participatory in nature, educational workshops embrace everyone having the capability to be an artist, a core philosophy of David Ireland. Focusing on key artistic practices within the greater oeuvre of Ireland, educational workshops have included printmaking, sound sculpture, and practices such as sculptural “dumbball” creation and “accidents happen” art-making, which investigate how unintended events in one’s daily life can be recognized as art. David Ireland did not take himself too seriously, and his sense of humor provides a crucial access point for young artists to learn that art can be a portal to what’s possible and imaginable. The curriculum itself is intended as an evolving document built around core concepts and signature lesson plans in collaboration with the themes brought up by artists in residence and exhibitions occupying the house.
Seasonal Intensives
Middle and high-school students explore the work of San Francisco-based, internationally known artist David Ireland through his house at 500 Capp Street. These daylong, weeklong, or summer-long workshops are youth-centered, and provide opportunities for young artists to express their unique voices and discover the creativity within themselves and in their communities. In our programs, students work directly with professional artists, offering mentorship and exposure to contemporary practice, and collaborative partners such as neighboring organization Ruth’s Table and Haight Street Art Center. Young artists learn various techniques, such as printmaking, stop-motion animation, and sculpture, all with an emphasis on collaboration. In these classes and intensives, students also use accessible, often non-art materials, aligning with conceptual art principles, which helps students develop skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Student work is shared through family days, and events, culminating in public exhibitions to showcase student work.
CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS INTENSIVES BELOW ↓
Tours for Middle and High School Students
Our education program caters to teens and tweens. For college and graduate school tours, see our Visit page. 500 Capp Street offers tours to educators who want to expose their students to the art of the everyday, the conceptual work of David Ireland, and the exhibition program at 500 Capp Street. Teens are exposed to the humor, playfulness and experimentation of finding art anywhere and everywhere, through a special tour facilitated by our Artist-Educators. The tour takes about an hour and a half, opening up to discussion and questions with the students, teachers and facilitators. At the end of the tour, groups are also encouraged to engage in a David Ireland related activity. Class tours are instrumental in spreading awareness about the mission of 500 Capp Street and our educational programming. Inviting students to the house for tours gives us an opportunity to engage youth beyond our existing partnerships and to bring in students who wouldn’t ordinarily hear about 500 Capp Street youth programs and high school internships.
Email education@500cappstreet.org to schedule a class tour for Middle or High School students.
Check our Visit page for college, graduate school, and other group tours.
City Studio
City Studio is an intergenerational art project fostering creativity, curiosity, and conversation.
Run by Amy Berk and Chris Treggiari, City Studio nurtures a sense of self, encouraging young artists to find their voice, strengthening their conceptual thinking and foundational skills and inspiring investment in a holistic creative life. Now in its 22nd year, the award-winning City Studio program, taught by working artists who create alongside the students, extends its reach and impact through a range of organizational and community partnerships creating large-scale public activations and working with various communities.
Art is a powerful medium for finding your place in the world and making your own contributions.