Discover, Play, Make

Exploring Art Materials

Welcome to Discover, Play, Make–an online programming curriculum all about art materials! What is an art material? Why are materials so integral to an artwork, both in how a piece is made and how it’s interpreted? How can you get to know a material? What materials do artists use beyond paint, pencils, or clay? What materials are right at your fingertips–or just a step outside?

Discover, Play, Make explores these questions through hands-on investigations of four material genres: natural, fiber, industrial, and found. Each material study engages participants through three sequential lessons. Participants begin by discovering a material, followed by playing with it, and ending with the making of an artwork. All materials can be found in and around the home.