The effects of a museum esthetic education program on self concept, selected attitudes and school absences of elementary school children

There have been primarily two major types of museum education programs for children conducted by art and "combined" museums, i.e., art and natural history. Most common are special tours for large groups of children which are usually lectures conducted by specially trained docents. The second most common type of museum education offering are art classes conducted within studio or classroom areas of the museum, usually held on Saturdays or during summers (Sobol, 19 70). Most recently, a third type of museum education program has developed which is quite different from the others. These have resulted from joint efforts on the part of museums, schools and universities to explore various innovative approaches to museum education that involve children on a multi-session basis rather than in "once-a-year" visitations characteristic of the more traditional programs. Also, the new programs appear to be attempts by museums to create new audiences especially from inner city populations.