The Project

The Montclair Art Museum is committed to supporting and complementing its regional schools in the Montclair Public Schools District. The Photographer in Residence Program places a professional photographer with an elementary school class for a series of 12 arts-integrated lessons, as well as a museum visit to view a photography exhibition and participate in an off-site photo shoot. A museum educator and photographer collaborate to create blended lessons that meet the goals of existing science and art curricula, such as weaving photography into the study of biodiversity. Photography is a tool that sharpens students’ observational skills. For example, these photographs demonstrate the range of variation in nature as well as each student’s unique perspective. The program at Hillside Elementary School culminates in a limited edition book and an exhibition of the students’ work. Photographer in Residence is now being used as a model for programs with other school districts.