Cultural Education Programs

Art Gallery programs connect gallery exhibitions with art education concepts in elementary, junior high, and high school, and include curriculum connections in English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Social Studies, and sometimes Science. Exhibitions change every 5 to 6 weeks. ALL PROGRAMS include a tour of the Gallery plus a hands-on component in the art studio. Exhibitions change approximately every 5 to 6 weeks. Programs are 1.5 hours in length. Please contact the Education Program Specialist to request an Education Programs brochure.

Note: There is no fee to bring your class or group for a self-guided tour of any exhibition, but booking ahead is advised.

Grade K-1 - Exploring Lines, Shapes, and Colour​

 Curriculum Connections: Creative/Cultural Expression, Visual Arts, Language Arts, Sciences (senses and colour)

Art is a vehicle to explore the most basic and fascinating foundations of the world around us. How do lines become shapes? How and why is colour used? Using all five of our senses in this exciting program, students will be guided through an interactive Gallery experience.

Grade 2-3 - The Material World Transformed

Curriculum connections: Visual Arts, Language Arts, Science (building with materials)

In this program, students will focus on the transformation of materials. Exploring various colours, textures, and shapes, students will discover how artists use and transform everyday materials and objects.

Grade 4-9 - Visual Storytelling

Curriculum Connections: Visual Arts, Language Arts, Social Sciences

Stories can be found in the most interesting of places when you know where to look. In this program, students will discover how visual imagery can reflect complex and fascinating narratives. Themes of storytelling, writing and artistic expression will be explored. In-gallery individual and group activities focus on visual analysis and vocabulary, while a hands-on art activity highlights individual expression and creativity.

Museum programs focus on the history of Okotoks and area including grades K to 5 curriculum connections in Social Studies, English Language Arts, Fine Art and some Science. ALL PROGRAMS include a tour of the Museum plus hands-on activities.

Grades K-1: Okotoks, My Community

Includes a presentation using old photos and anecdotal stories about Okotoks landmarks and entrepreneurs, as well as the history of significant buildings in town such as the train station, old post office and the first schools.

Grade 2: Okotoks, A Prairie Community

Old photos and stories are used to show changes on the farm, in the town, in school, in people - how they dress, travel, work and play - and changes through floods and fires.

Grade 3: Prairie Farm Family and Quality of Life

Through old photos and stories, we look at how farm families lived, worked and played over 100 years ago before electricity, indoor plumbing and computers. Did they have a good quality of life? Compare then and now.

General interest programs for all include:

Heritage Walking Tour 

Join us for a walk through history in the downtown core of Okotoks. Find out where the Lower School used to be and hear stories about fascinating residents such as Dr. Ardiel. What buildings burned down and were rebuilt? Where did the bricks come from that make up so many historic houses? The walk runs 1.5-2 hours and may include a tour through the Museum. Allow two hours when booking this program. Can be adapted for any grade level.

Toys Over Time

We explore toys that existed from 4000 years ago to the present following the journey of Barbie, the yo-yo, Lego and more. Find out what a Whimmy Diddle is and how children made their own toys over a hundred years ago. Students will create a pioneer-style toy to take home.

We also offer a couple popular seasonal programs including:

Halloween Hi Jinks – History of Halloween in Okotoks

Researching local newspapers back to the first mention of Halloween in Okotoks led to this program. Through photos and stories, we share the prank of the day going back a hundred years and discuss where the traditions of Halloween originated. This program is only offered in October and includes a related craft plus a tour of the Museum.

Pioneer Christmas – K through Grade 3 and Grades 4 through 6

Using photos, stories and a historic display, this seasonal program looks at holiday traditions that came to Okotoks nearly 150 years ago. Learn the origins of some popular Christmas traditions. The program includes a museum tour of Christmas Past and a hands-on heritage craft. It is available after Light Up in November through to Christmas break. Please book early as this is a popular program.

Winter Holiday Traditions around the World - K through Grade 6

From Hanukkah to Kwanzaa to the Lunar New Year to early Christmas on the prairies, we look at some of the unique December holidays and traditions celebrated around the world. This program is only available in December and includes a presentation, museum scavenger hunt and a hands-on holiday craft.