Overview
Our Block, Our Stories invites students to explore how artists draw inspiration from their neighborhoods, communities, and lived experiences. Through close looking, discussion, writing, and creative reflection, students discover how contemporary artists transform personal stories, local landmarks, and everyday life into works of art.
Designed for grades 6–12, this educational module includes a pre-visit activity, gallery worksheet, and post-visit classroom project that connect students' own experiences to artworks in The Broad's collection. Inspired by artists such as Lauren Halsey, Mark Bradford, and Rigoberto Torres and John Ahearn, students reflect on themes of place, identity, memory, belonging, and community while considering how their own stories can become a source of creative expression.
Curriculum Overview
LEARN – Pre-Visit Activity
Students explore how artists are inspired by the places and communities around them. Through discussion, observation, and reflection, students consider what makes their neighborhood unique and begin identifying people, places, sounds, memories, and experiences that shape their own stories.
EXPERIENCE – Museum Visit
Using a guided worksheet in the galleries, students examine artworks that explore place, identity, and community. Through observation, discussion, and writing prompts, they make connections between the artists' experiences and their own.
CREATE – Post-Visit Activity: Memory Map
Students create a visual "memory map" inspired by the people, places, and experiences that are meaningful to them. Drawing on ideas explored in the gallery, students combine words, symbols, images, and memories to tell the story of their own block, neighborhood, or community.
These materials are available in English and Spanish.
Learn About School Visits
Our Block, Our Stories is also offered as a free multisite field trip for grades 3–12. Students begin at Lauren Halsey’s sister dreamer sculpture park in South Los Angeles before continuing their exploration of art, identity, and community at The Broad. Current sessions are fully booked. Visit our School Visits & Programs page to learn more about the program and future opportunities.
Learn More About School Visits →
In The News
The Los Angeles Times takes a closer look at how The Broad and Lauren Halsey are bringing South L.A. students into conversation with contemporary art rooted in their own neighborhoods.
Photo by Allen Chen @_h_studio
