Menu
Search
Browse by Grade & Subjects

Grade

Subjects

Artopia

Artopia is a comprehensive web-based arts experience designed for middle school students, covering the visual and performing arts.

Visual and Performing Arts for Grades 6-8

Artopia is a comprehensive web-based arts experience designed for middle school students, covering the visual and performing arts. Students will learn art history via animated one-minute movies, be guided on how to closely examine important works of art, and view videos of professional artists at work.This project was supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Please note many of the web videos include transcripts.

More in this Series

Series Dance - Artopia
Dance - Artopia

Step inside Artopia's Dance lobby!

Series Media Arts
Media Arts

Step inside Artopia's Media Arts lobby!

Series Artopia Music
Artopia Music

Step inside Artopia's Music lobby!

Series Artopia's Painting Lobby
Artopia's Painting Lobby

Step inside Artopia's Painting lobby!

Series Sculpture
Sculpture
Series Theater - Artopia
Theater - Artopia
Resource Type
Creating a Studio | Artopia Collections & Inspirations | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Collections & Inspirations | Artopia
Heidi Darr Hope talks about how much she has loved collecting objects since she was a child. She was really thrilled to start using objects from her collections in her art work.
Sculpture is Physical | Artopia The Urban Situation Series | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
The Urban Situation Series | Artopia
Wingo’s art is varied. Here he shows his urban situation series, which differs from many of his more classical pieces.
Puppetmaking | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Puppetmaking | Artopia
This video walks through the process of making a puppet on some tight time constraints.
Comparing Roles | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Comparing Roles | Artopia
Tobolski has played a wide variety of roles, and she learns something new from each one.
Theater Rehearsal | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Theater Rehearsal | Artopia
This video illustrates how the rehearsal process is translated into a final performance.
Step 1 1

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Step 1
Episode 1
Sculptor Kristin Gudjonsdottir demonstrates how she wedges her clay.
Step 2 2

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Step 2
Episode 2
Kristin Gudjonsdottir demonstrates how she uses a pattern for her mixed-media piece.
Step 6 6

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Step 6
Episode 6
Kristin Gudjonsdottir explains what a kiln wash does and then demonstrates how she creates her glass piece.
Step 7 7

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Step 7
Episode 7
Kristin Gudjonsdottir demonstrates some areas she wants to repair on her piece before firing.
What It Takes | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
What It Takes | Artopia
Von Howard believes the most important traits in a dancer are drive and work ethic.
Inspiration & Mentors | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Inspiration & Mentors | Artopia
Cecil Williams talks about his experiences and the importance of books and mentors. Williams hopes his work will inspire a younger generation and introduces a young man who works at his studio.
Hope, a Snake and Writing | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Hope, a Snake and Writing | Artopia
Heidi Darr-Hope explains how she took an old curiosity cabinet and transformed it into a shrine she called, Hope, a Snake and Writing.
Turbulence | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Turbulence | Artopia
Christian von Howard talks about the piece, Turbulence, that he choreographed in three days. The Power Company performed this piece at the Columbia Museum of Art.
Getting Serious | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Getting Serious | Artopia
In high school, Von Howard discovered his passion for dance. He describes how he continued to develop his craft.
Cecil William's Studio Tour | Artopia Civil Rights Photography | Artopia 1

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Civil Rights Photography | Artopia
Episode 1
Cecil J. Williams did a great deal of civil rights photography. Even as a young boy, before he understood what was going on, he took many important photographs.
Civil Rights Photography | Artopia 2

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Civil Rights Photography | Artopia
Episode 2
Cecil J. Williams is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. He began taking documentary photographs of his community at the age of nine. By 15, he was working professionally as a freelancer for Jet...
Europa | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
Europa | Artopia
Tonya Gregg explains the various aspects of her painting Europa.
First Steps Include Sketches | Artopia

Video

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
First Steps Include Sketches | Artopia
Tonya Gregg explains how she sketches various poses and profiles until she gets the image she wants to use for her paintings.