Studies suggest that looking at art can be good for mental health. It can increase happiness, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve cognitive skills. Art can also help us be mindful and connect us to the past.
Category: Art Appreciation 101
Learn to Approach Art with Confidence
Art Appreciation for Beginners is an introductory online course that will help you approach artworks confidently and intelligently by evaluating visual art based on what you see.
Introducing Online Courses
You can now take online courses about art right here at A Scholarly Skater. Enjoy the same accessible, friendly approach as my blog posts, only it's now in comprehensive online learning form.
How To Teach Children About Art History
I wasn't a big art lover as a child, but there's no reason other kids won't be. Here are my ideas for how to introduce children to art history.
Beginner-Friendly Art Styles – Suggestions for New Museum Visitors
For those of you new to the art-viewing, museum-going experience, do you feel unsure what to see first? If so, I can make a few suggestions. I've come up with three areas that I think are particularly accessible and enjoyable to new viewers. You'll find them in most major museums, and they also happen to be among my favorites.
How to Enjoy an Art Museum When You Didn’t Study Art
For anyone who's ever felt frustrated or unsure in an art museum, here are a few strategies to make museum visits more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Tour Great Architecture from Anywhere
Want to enjoy great architecture from your couch? I recently discovered a host of virtual tours of famous works of architecture. How cool is that? While you can never truly experience a place from a computer screen, it's nice to have the option when travelling to the site in person isn't in your schedule (or budget). All of the tours listed are 360° experiences, not just pictures.
Seeing Slowly – Michael Findlay on Art Appreciation
A few quick thoughts on Michael Findlay's book Seeing Slowly: Looking at Modern Art, about enjoying modern and contemporary art.
Combating Museum Fatigue
Museum fatigue is what happens when you overwhelm yourself during a museum visit. It can happen to anyone from causal tourists to art professionals. Here are some ways to deal with it.
Be Good Looking (at artwork)
Strong skills in looking at artwork are essential for any art lover. Using our eyes is second nature to many of us, yet we still miss so many things. Here are strategies for getting more out of your art viewing experiences.