K–12 Land Art Resources
Museum in the Classroom - Land art in Utah
From the comfort of their classroom, this presentation will transport students to Utah's most important land artworks, Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty and Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnels. Students will explore themes in these artworks with hands-on activities which can be adapted to any grade level.
Contact the Museum in the Classroom coordinator or call 801.585.0014 to schedule a classroom presentation or for more information.
Zooming into Art – Robert Smithson and Spiral Jetty
Robert Smithson’s monumental artwork Spiral Jetty, located off Rozel Point in the north arm of Great Salt Lake. Made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site, Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide spiral that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lake. Learn about this incredible work of art through an exciting and engaging digital tour that explores Spiral Jetty and its artist, Robert Smithson. We will take an in-depth look at the concept and building of the earthwork and explore themes important to Smithson’s work: color, entropy, spirals, and materials. This tour includes hands-on and artmaking components.
Zooming into Art digital tours:
- using your schools preferred video conferencing technology (Zoom, WebEx, etc.) to provide real-time art-based presentations.
- interactive, engaging, question-based, object-centered.
- aligned with Utah Core Standards and 21st century learning skills promoting critical thinking, creativity, and communication.
- available by appointment Tuesday–Thursday. Limited spaces available.
- tours can be adapted to the interest and age of the group.
- flexible with any physical teaching situation.
- tour lasts between 45-60 minutes, but can be adapted to shorter or longer periods of time by request.
Lesson Plans
Downloadable STEAM-focused curriculum and teaching resources for K-12 classrooms:
Evening for Educators Inspired by Great Salt Lake
Earthworks Ecosystems
Portrait of Place
Spirals in Nature
Framing the Landscape
Tunnel Vision Diorama