Education in the Prado
What is the role of education in the museum?
Art can be such a valuable tool to forge connections. It can create a bridge of understanding — between two people, two cultures, or even two nations. One of the reasons why art is profoundly important to me is because of its ability to aid me in understanding and connecting with something beyond myself, at times things very much foreign to me.
When I learn about art, I learn about people. I learn about cultures, history, philosophy, psychology, even math and science. In this world so full of conflict and misunderstanding, I think these qualities make art an indispensable resource. But that type of appreciation and interaction with art has to be valued, and it also has to be taught.
The Prado’s Education Department has an overarching mission — which is to be a bridge between the museum’s collection and today’s society. That mission is supported by initiatives and programs that fit into the broader context of four key pillars: education for students and teachers, the community, public programs, and cultural action.
The department does an outstanding job of identifying creative and innovative ways in which the public can interact with and experience the Prado’s collection, constantly developing initiatives and programs to reach new audiences. There are a plethora of projects worth mentioning, but I can only speak for the ones that I’ve experienced while I’ve been here. So in the following paragraphs, I will discuss my experiences with a few of them.
Workshops
I have been extremely impressed by the workshops that have been created and sponsored by the Prado. On my very first day, I attended the last session of a weekly workshop that takes place during several months, called Formando Mediadores or “Creating Mediators.” This project was designed for adults with special needs, and it facilitates their development as autonomous mediators in the Prado museum.
The program presents its participants with opportunities to develop the skills that will allow them to explain works of art to visiting groups and host tours of the Prado’s collection. Although I only attended the last session — in which they share photos, memories, and what they’ve learned from the experience — I was extremely touched by the work they do and the impact it has had.
Many of the workshops and programs that the Prado develops support that same goal of creating a space for diverse groups within the museum. In addition to Formando Mediadores, I also attended a workshop that they prepare during the summer for children ages 6–12 and one that they developed for university fashion design students. Each one highlighted innovative ways in which its specific audience could connect with art and apply it to their unique situations and experiences in the museum.
There are even more of these kinds of workshops that I was unable to participate in. The variety that the Prado offers throughout the year and the creativity with which each one approaches the museum’s collection gives everyone an opportunity to participate. Through their workshops, they have not only achieved their purpose of serving the community, but they have also empowered a variety of unique communities within the museum. In my opinion, this is one of the most significant functions of any museum.
Museum Conferences
The Prado also hosts several conferences throughout the year. The only one I could attend was on the topic of the future of museums, and the session that I sat in on was given by the President of the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. She talked about the future of the Orsay and how they — as a museum and as arbiters and protectors of public cultural heritage — are striving to adapt and better meet the needs of today’s public.
As someone who is very interested in museums, as well as the access to the arts that is available within communities, it was so fascinating to discover the ways in which the Musee d'Orsay is thinking about their public. Like the Prado, they are looking to provide the best access and experience possible to the community, and they are enacting a variety of initiatives in order to achieve that goal. It is an incredibly complex dilemma, especially when balanced with the need for funding of these types of projects.
I’m so glad I got to go to that conference, even just for one session. As I was sitting there in the auditorium of the Prado, I truly felt what a privilege it is for me to be here and be able to attend events like this. What’s awesome is that the Prado makes this type of experience available to the public. Anyone who wanted to could buy a pass to attend. In fact, the attendees included young students, museum professionals, and even art enthusiasts who were more advanced in age.
Guided tours, El Prado Habla, and Claves
The Prado also offers a variety of ways for the public to learn in the very galleries of the museum. They provide free guided tours of the masterpieces in their permanent collection, even offering some in English during the summer. Additionally, they produce a program called Claves, which allows visitors to learn more about the works within the Prado’s temporary exhibitions as well as some of the concepts behind their organization.
One of my favorite activities is El Prado Habla, or “The Prado Speaks,” which is a weekly program that takes place during certain months of the year. They invite a member of the museum staff to speak about a certain work in the collection, in the room where the work is displayed. Those invited to speak could include someone in the Education Department, a member of the restoration team, or even the head curator of a certain area of art.
El Prado Habla is a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more, not only about the artwork itself but also about the jobs of different museum staff and the unique perspective on the artwork that their work provides. These types of activities allow visitors to gain interesting insights into the collection and the museum itself that they might not learn otherwise.
Although it seems like a strange concept now, education wasn’t always a part of the museum structure or culture. When you really think about it, it is a relatively new field. The Prado’s Education Department was only incorporated in 1983. But since then, it has taken tremendous strides in furthering its reach and truly becoming a bridge between the Prado’s artworks and the community. I am barely even scratching the surface with the few that I have mentioned here.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Prado, take advantage of the resources and activities they provide (especially if you know any Spanish). And if you can’t in person, then they offer even more amazing content online.
