EVENING & SUMMER COURSES: One report is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED & a second report (from a
different art museum) is for extra credit. (F08)
INTRO TO ART
PROFESSOR NANCI SCHRIEBER-SMITH
HOW TO WRITE A MUSEUM REPORT
1. Your name, class meeting time, and the date you attended the museum.
2. State the name of the museum visited. If it is a special exhibition, give that information also.
3. Include some physical proof of your attendance: a photo of yourself on location; a receipt for payment; a
brochure with front desk personnel signature on it.
4. State a brief opinion regarding the museum visited. How did the visual appearance (exterior and interior) feel?
Was there any correlation between the exterior and interior? Were the works of art well displayed? Was the
atmosphere helpful or confining to your enjoyment appreciation of the works of art?
5. After selecting the artwork that "speaks" to you, these are a list of elements that must be discussed in your
paper. You may approach these in any order you wish. The paper must be:
AT LEAST 3 FULL TYPEWRITTEN PAGES . (SINGLE-SPACED and 12 -14 point font size.)
a. Title of work, artist's name, date of work, the medium used.
b. Clearly describe in detail the scene taking place (or if non-objective, the materials/objects, shapes,
colors etc.) Use as many adjectives as you can AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS!!!
c. Use all the formal elements (see below) you have learned in class. Do not forget to
incorporate any new vocabulary words that will fit into your description.
d. (Optional) BE CREATIVE in your presentation-- it can make it more fun for you.
FORMAL ELEMENTS OF FORM (These we will discuss in class and you should know by end of Exam #1)
A. LINE - What kind of lines are used? What do they express? (the mood/feeling that is perhaps
conveyed by a particular type of line)
B. SHAPE - Geometric or Organic
C. VALUE - Is there subtle shading or strong value contrasts? Does the lighting create a special mood?
Can you find the source of light? Is the light source real?
D. COLOR - Analogous, complementary, primary? Do the colors merely describe the subject matter or do
they create a mood/feeling? Are the colors intense or subdued?
E. TEXTURE - What kind is used? Implied or actual, invented or imposto. Is it rough and primitive?
smooth and sophisticated? velvety and sensual?
F. SPACE - Does the artwork appear to have realistic three-dimensional space or does it appear flat?
Shallow or deep space? Traditional linear perspective or new angles of vision?
This paper is to be a mixture of discussion on vocabulary, formal elements, and an incorporation of your
personal reaction to the work of art. You must equally discuss both your personal reactions and all formal elements.
When describing the work it is a good idea to pretend that you're describing for a blind person. Adjectives are
important because they enable you to present a good mental image of the artwork you are describing. The purpose
of this paper is not only an academic exercise, but it also enables you to use greater freedom of visual/verbal
expression in your reactions to a new way of seeing. Trust your instincts and feelings.
You can be as creative in your presentation/writing style as you wish to be.
All museum reports will be evaluated at a possible 30 points. Grading will be based on how well you follow
the above directions. The more descriptive you can be the better. 10 points extra will be given if you find a docent
and seek out information about the piece from him/her that isn't readily available. (This extra info MUST BE
HIGHLIGHTED with highlighter pen to receive the extra points)
*** WRITING ONE REPORT IS AN ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT for this course
If I do not receive the 1 required museum report from you,
I will deduct 30 points from your total semester points.
OVER>>>>
TAKE THIS 2-Sided PAGE WITH YOU TO THE MUSEUM FOR REFERENCE
EVENING & SUMMER COURSES: One report is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED & a second report (from a
different art museum) is for extra credit. (F08)
THE LIST OF MUSEUMS
Going to an actual art museum gives you the opportunity to experience ORIGINAL works of art, in their actual size
and medium and NOT a slide or a mechanical reproduction as you see in your book.
DO NOT CONSIDER FOREST LAWN, MOVIELAND WAX MUSEUM OR ANY SHOPPING MALL GALLERY FOR
YOUR MUSEUM REPORT. If you plan to go out of town and visit a museum >>>>ask me for tips.
Generally speaking, most museums are closed on Mondays, (currently the Getty Villa #4b below is closed on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays) so it is a good idea to call in advance to get hours, admission costs etc. Many offer
discounts with current student ID. AND if you enjoy your stay you might want to purchase a membership at one
of the museums which will allow you 1 year unlimited free admission for you and a guest (among other benefits!)

LOS ANGELES AREA
T= Traditional art
This list is only a few locations in the Southern California area,
BUT it is the list I want you to choose from
to write your REQUIRED museum report.
C=contemporary or cutting edge art
1a.T&C- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART. (LACMA Main bldg) 5905 Wilshire Blvd. LA. (323)8576000.
1b.C -THE BROAD CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM. (BCAM) Located at LACMA #1 above. (323)857-6000.
1c.T&C-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM WEST. (LACMA West) Located at LACMA #1 above. 323)857-6000.
2.C- MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART.(MOCA) 250 So Grand at California Plaza, Downtown LA.(213) 626-6222.
3.T- NORTON SIMON MUSEUM . 411 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (Newly renovated in 1999)(818) 449-6840.
4a.T- THE GETTY CENTER (CLOSED MONDAYS) at the 405 fwy and Getty Center Drive in Brentwood (310)4407300.
NO PARKING RESERVATIONS NEEDED FOR THE GETTY CENTER and the only charge is $8.00 to park.
4b.T/Ancient/Classical- J. PAUL GETTY VILLA (CLOSED TUES & WED)17985 Pacific Coast
Hwy.Malibu . (310)440-7300 and the only charge is $8.00 to park. BE SURE TO MAKE PARKING RESERVATIONS at
THE GETTY VILLA
SAN DIEGO AREA
5.C- SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, DOWNTOWN. 1001 Kettner Blvd.(619) 234-1001.
6.T&C- SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART. Balboa Park, San Diego (619)232-7931.
If you are going out of town, I may be able to recommend a museum for you to visit—just ask me.
UPON VISITING THE MUSEUM....
Plan to go to the museum for at least 3-4 hours.
BE SURE TO MAKE ADVANCED PARKING RESERVATIONS
if going to 4b above.
Sometimes it’s good to go to the museum alone so you can go at your own pace, however most people like to go with one or
two others.
Do not plan to see all of the works in the museum. This would be overwhelming, exhausting and not at all satisfying.
Get a map at the admissions booth and find out what special presentations are on view. Look at the map and select 1) an
area of interest where you feel comfortable (for example: Renaissance paintings) AND 2) an area in the museum where
you have little or no knowledge (for example: Italian Micro-mosaics or the Ceramics of China.) Separate these two areas
with a lunch /snack break at the cafeteria-or bring a lunch. Browse through your first area of familiar territory in search
of a new favorite, or a bit of new information. Then after you have had a bite to eat, investigate the second area as an
explorer of a new territory. You have only discoveries to uncover and...who knows...you might even find a new love.
TAKE THIS 2-Sided PAGE WITH YOU TO THE MUSEUM FOR REFERENCE
EVENING & SUMMER COURSES: One report is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED & a second report (from a
different art museum) is for extra credit. (F08)
****IF YOU SHOW ME PROOF OF MUSEUM ATTENDANCE BY THE 8TH WEEK OF SCHOOL
YOU WILL RECEIVE 10 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS.
See the syllabus calendar - week #8 for specifics ****
OVER>>>>
TAKE THIS 2-Sided PAGE WITH YOU TO THE MUSEUM FOR REFERENCE