Overview

The Education Program was founded in 1994 with the support of The Freeman Foundation. We have grown over the past 14 years to offer a host of opportunities through our suite of Family, School and Educator programs.

Today, Education Programs endeavors to spark interest in Japan and impart an understanding of shared humanity to our intended audience—whether educators, students or families. Education & Family Programs plays a particularly important role in increasing access to Japan Society's many resources—from rare art displayed in our gallery, to leading Japanese performers and thinkers, to the latest scholarship in Japanese studies—with American educators and children. We offer a host of opportunities through our suite of Family, School, and Educator programs.

Our most important mission is to help children learn about Japan. Diverse programming, which ranges from About Japan: A Teacher’s Resource, an interactive website that provides teaching resources and a forum for active debate about Japan to English-speakers throughout the world, to programs for families that introduce children to diverse aspects of Japanese culture through entertaining and educational activities, serves a broad audience both near and far.

The Education Program is now on Facebook!  Join the group to receive information about education events and new educational materials online.

Featured Programs

OHNY Kids! at Japan Society
Saturday October 4, 2-4pm

Gagaku Musical Instrument Workshop for Invited Music Students
Wednesday, October 8, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Konnichiwa Friends Family Tours of New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
Saturdays, October 11th, November 15th, December 13th, January 11th, 2-3 pm.

Art Cart in conjunction with the exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters
Sunday, October 19, 2-4 pm

Celebratory Rituals for Children: Shichigosan (7-5-3) Ceremony
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2008, 10 am & 2 pm

Meet Japan’s Mystical Folktale Creatures & Ghosts through Kamishibai Storytelling
Saturday, November 1, 2-4 pm

Art Cart: Flowers & Festivities in Japanese Culture
November 16, 2008, 2-4pm

Gallery Lessons
Tuesday-Friday, October 4, 2008-January 11, 2009, 11 am – 12 pm & by appointment

Pre-K through 12th grade students experience object-centered, guided discussions of sculptures in the exhibition New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters and respond through drawing, writing and movement assignments.

Facilitated by a Museum Educator, Gallery Lessons are explorations of Japan Society's Gallery exhibitions for community groups and children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classes. Lessons are comprised of object-centered guided discussions, which are planned in collaboration with teachers and group coordinators.

Lessons provide students with opportunities for artistic, cultural and personal discovery while supporting learning across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to observe, investigate and discuss a number of selected objects in the exhibition; non-verbal response drawing, writing and movement activities are included.

To schedule a Gallery Lesson, please call (212) 715-1224.

View upcoming Educator Programs

View upcoming Student Programs

View upcoming Family Programs