Museums really speak to the whole philosophy of homeschooling because it’s all about encountering learning in a joyful way that’s not about grades. It’s outside the boundaries of a classroom, so it’s more about passion and interest.
Durham resident Madeline Nielsen, homeschooled from third through twelfth grades
From Homeschooler to Nasher Staff
For more than a decade, Madeline Nielsen and her two little brothers visited the Nasher Museum many times with their mother. She remembers gazing into a Book of Hours filled with miniature paintings in luminous colors. She remembers staring up at 900-year-old limestone sculptures of four Apostles and using a touch screen to “paint” them with colored lights. In fact, Madeline credits the Nasher Museum for leading her to become a Medievalist in her academic work, she said. “Clearly the art experiences I had here made an impact.”
Museums like the Nasher influence the homeschool community, she said. “The museum is curiosity oriented, which aligns with one of the joys of homeschooling—supporting that kind of learning. That’s why museums were such a big part of our homeschooling experience and why we came back again and again.”
Another strong Nasher memory for Madeline is the 1973 painting Bahsir (Robert Gowens) by Barkley L. Hendricks, which she saw in 2008, she said. “My mother tells me that when I was really little I was obsessed with that piece.”
These days, Madeline is the Reflections Program Coordinator at the museum. As part of the Education team, she shares her first-hand experience with the sharing art with young visitors.
“Kindergarden through 12th grade is a crucial time for kids to be in museums,” she said. “I was lucky that we lived in this area that has so many museums and that my Mom took us to them. I think that made me feel comfortable with art, familiar with museums. If you don’t get that exposure, it can feel more intimidating, or you might not be sure what to do there. For us, it was just a part of our education, so it was normal.”
Homeschoolers are Welcome!
We are delighted to invite you and your kids to the Nasher Museum! Bring your students to one of our standard-aligned programs, or work with us to create a custom-designed experience to target your specific learning objectives. The Nasher Museum is dedicated to presenting innovative and accessible collections, exhibitions, publications and programs that stimulate intellectual discourse, enrich individual lives and generate new knowledge. Our current exhibitions feature some of today’s best contemporary art and historical treasures from Africa, Medieval Europe, and the Americas. Before you visit, you can explore our collections online.