Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies Looking, talking, listening, and engaging with art and each other. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) transforms the way students think and learn.

Based in theory and research, our program uses skilled facilitation of visual art discussions to significantly increase student engagement, performance, and enjoyment of learning. We believe that rigorous discussion about visual art activates unique, transformational learning accessible to all. As a team of student-centered educators we are dedicated to cultivating flexible, curious learners. We e

nvision a culture where careful listening and engagement build a community of open-minded and thoughtful citizens.

"The heart of dialogue is simple — the profoundness is to listen." — Lolly DaskalExperience the sincerity of listening i...
05/13/2026

"The heart of dialogue is simple — the profoundness is to listen." — Lolly Daskal

Experience the sincerity of listening in this month’s LCO conversations facilitated by educators from the esteemed St. Louis Art Museum. The art exhibits and collections of this exemplary museum inspire discovery, elevating the human spirit while preserving a legacy of artistic achievement for the people of St. Louis and the world.

Connect with our community through meaningful discourse and listening closely.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20, 10-11am PT/ 12-1pm CT/ 1-2pm ET
Please register at vtshome.org/programs

Image from the VTS curriculum - The Goddess Hathor Places the Magic Collar on Sethos I, Unknown


“We want this to be a place where people of all ages can learn about art at different levels…A space that prompts reflec...
05/13/2026

“We want this to be a place where people of all ages can learn about art at different levels…A space that prompts reflection and helps people make connections.” - Marie Madison-Patton, MOCAD Co-Director

One approach behind the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit’s (MOCAD) community engagement is Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a facilitated-discussion method that slows down looking and redistributes interpretive authority—a shift away from didactic interpretation and towards dialogue-based engagement. Read more here - https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/05/11/museum-contemporary-art-detroit-reopens-renovations - and celebrate MOCAD’s reopening.


Welcome friends! Please join us for a moderated conversation to look at and comment on what you see in this featured ima...
05/08/2026

Welcome friends! Please join us for a moderated conversation to look at and comment on what you see in this featured image. We look forward to reading your ideas.

Date/Time: May 11, 2026, 9am-2pm Eastern time
Where: The New York Times Learning Network -
https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture

Note: This is our last “What’s Going On in This Picture?” for the 2025-26 school year. The feature will restart in September.

"Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters." — Margaret WheatleyThe Saint Louis Art Museum’s education staff ...
05/06/2026

"Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters." — Margaret Wheatley

The Saint Louis Art Museum’s education staff hosts this month’s Look Club Online. We invite you to come look, think, and consider what is going on in the images shared. We will be viewing two artworks from SLAM’s collections.

Bring a friend. We would love to hear your voices in the conversation.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20, 10-11am PT/ 12-1pm CT/ 1-2pm ET
Please register at vtshome.org/programs

Image from the VTS curriculum - The Son, Tina Barney


“To dearest Tara, may you always have a question that intrigues you. With Love, Mom (November 1991)” - Abigail HousenThi...
05/01/2026

“To dearest Tara, may you always have a question that intrigues you. With Love, Mom (November 1991)” - Abigail Housen

This Mother’s Day, our Director, Tara Geer, carries forward the life’s work of her mother, Abigail Housen. That work began with a question: what are people actually doing when they look at art?

That question is the foundation of Visual Thinking Strategies.

If this work has meant something to you, please support it at vtshome.org/give.


Hello friends! Please join us for a moderated conversation to look at and comment on what you see in this featured image...
04/30/2026

Hello friends! Please join us for a moderated conversation to look at and comment on what you see in this featured image. We look forward to reading your ideas.

Date/Time: May 4, 2026, 9am-2pm Eastern time
Where: Learning Network - https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture

Link in bio or Google “WGOITP”

listening looking nytimeslearningnetwork

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May." — The TemptationsIt is the merry...
04/29/2026

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May." — The Temptations

It is the merry month of May and that means our partner - the Saint Louis Art Museum - is hosting Look Club Online. Please join us for two thought provoking discussions as we look closely at artwork from SLAM’s collection. The art exhibits and collections of this exemplary museum inspire discovery, elevating the human spirit while preserving a legacy of artistic achievement for the people of St. Louis and the world.

Connect with our community through meaningful conversations.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 20, 10-11am PT/ 12-1pm CT/ 1-2pm ET
Please register at vtshome.org/programs


VTS Gathering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art () - Looking closely, thinking and talking together.Such great conversat...
04/14/2026

VTS Gathering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art () - Looking closely, thinking and talking together.

Such great conversations at the latest VTS gathering sponsored by the National Organization for Arts in Health (). Our curious group puzzled over the red object on the table. Was it butter, steak or possibly cheese? Many minds, many possibilities.

Engage in more lively discussions by joining our monthly Look Club Online. On April 15 (Wednesday, 12-1pm PT, 2-3pm CT, 3-4 ET), educators from the National Museum for Women in the Arts educators facilitate. Please go to vtshome.org to register.

“My mother has a lot of sisters. They had very, very interesting conversations. Because I was a quiet child, I would sit...
04/10/2026

“My mother has a lot of sisters. They had very, very interesting conversations. Because I was a quiet child, I would sit in the room and listen to these stories. I think I developed a curiosity about the life of other people from that, and an interest in looking at what was lying beneath the layer of what people present in public.” - Ayobami Adebayo

Friends, please join us for a moderated conversation to look at and comment on what you see in the featured April 13 image. We look forward to reading your ideas.

Date/Time: April 13, 2026, 9am-2pm Eastern time
Where: The New York Times Learning Network - https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” ― Mae WestOur Look Club Online community has generated so many compelling c...
04/08/2026

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” ― Mae West

Our Look Club Online community has generated so many compelling conversations. Please join us and add your voice to this month’s discussions facilitated by education staff from the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA).

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 15, 12-1pm PT/2-3pm CT/ 3-4pm ET
Please register at vtshome.org/programs

NMWA is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas.

Image from the VTS curriculum - Cape Cod Evening, Edward Hopper


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New York, NY

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+17183020232

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