What is Visual Thinking Strategies?
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an educational curriculum and teaching method which is designed to enable students to develop aesthetic and language literacy and critical thinking skills.
VTS is a methodology of slow looking at images/ artworks with a group using an enquiry and evidenced based approach to teach thinking, communication skills, and visual literacy. Growth is stimulated by - looking at art of increasing complexity, responding to developmentally-based questions and participating in group discussions that are carefully facilitated.
VTS is a research-based teaching methodology based on the work of cognitive psychologist, Abigail Housen and veteran museum educator Philip Yenawine that supports learner-centred thinking and feeling when looking at art objects or images.
What is VTS Neighbourhood Schools?
VTS Neighbourhood Schools was established as a community-wide arts in education initiative, aimed at fostering the development of schools and children in the NEIC (North East Inner City) area. The program leverages Visual Thinking Strategies and collaborative partnerships with the DCC Arts Office, The Lab Gallery, and Hugh Lane Gallery to connect participants with Dublin’s diverse and rich contemporary art scene, artists, art practices, and cultural venues.
Through using Visual Thinking Strategies we aim to add to the knowledge of the arts, build on the sense of place and experience of the children in Central Model Senior School. In working in close collaboration with five schools in the North East Inner City/ NEIC - St. Mary's N.S, Fairview, St. Vincent's B.N.S, Ballybough, St.Vincent's G.N.S, St. Louise's Pre School with their trained VTS practitioners and teachers in the classroom and art spaces in the neighbourhood supporting active citizenship and cultural participation in our children.
Who are the VTS Neighbourhood Schools?
Central Model Senior School, Marlborough St, Dublin 1
St. Mary's N.S, Fairview, Dublin 3
St. Vincent's B.N.S, North William Street, Dublin 1
St. Vincent's G.N.S, Charleville Mall, Dublin 1
VTS Neighbourhood Schools Training
VTS Neighbourhood Schools lead trainers have delivered Introduction to Visual Thinking Strategies training courses and workshops for primary and secondary teachers, arts educators, museum educators and artists in collaboration with OIDE Creative, IMMA, Hugh Lane Gallery and Highlanes Gallery.
This training aims to give participants the opportunity to Look at and respond to a range of artworks/images utilising the Visual Thinking Strategies/ VTS method of looking.
Practice the VTS method of looking in a collaborative and supportive environment
Discuss how thoughtful and responsible image selection supports aesthetic development and critical thinking skills
Reflect on how the VTS method can be utilised to engage students/participants in analysing imagery.
Future training programmes to be announced soon.
Partner/ Supporting Organisations
Dublin City Council Arts Office
The LAB Gallery
Hugh Lane Gallery
VTS Neighbhourhood Schools is funded by
Dublin City Council Neighbourhood Arts Grant
Image 1: VTS with Central Model at Aaron Sunderland Carey at The LAB
Image 2: VTS with St.Vincent’s BNS at Sinead Ni Mhaonaigh exhibition at The LAB
Image 3: VTS Training with OIDE Creativity at Hugh Lane Gallery