Peel District School Board Students to Spark Creativity at the Aga Khan Museum with a Vibrant Student-Led Exhibition
Through the first-ever School in Residence Program at the Aga Khan Museum, PDSB students will go beyond traditional classrooms in a transformative learning experience
TORONTO – April 30, 2024 – Over 100 Peel District School Board (PDSB) students embarked on an immersive, inquiry-based journey in a new partnership program with the Aga Khan Museum. As students complete the first-ever School in Residence Program, JOY: The Art of Connection, the Museum will host a student-led art exhibition from June 3 to 7, with a special celebration on June 5, to recognize their learning and artistic achievements.
Grounded in the Beyond the Classroom Model, the Aga Khan Museum's School in Residence Program reimagines traditional education by immersing students and teachers in cultural institutions such as museums and galleries. This unique approach fosters a deeper connection with curriculum topics while providing rich opportunities for exploration, inquiry, and interdisciplinary learning.
Throughout the program, students participate in hands-on activities that explore the Museum’s Collections and engage in reflective exercises such as journaling and sketching, in which they are encouraged to ask questions, deepening their understanding of diverse cultural perspectives. Unlike conventional field trips, this extended residency allows students to slow down, observe closely, and delve into topics of interest at their own pace, resulting in a transformative learning experience.
“With the School in Residence Program, we hope to empower students, educators, and the wider community in a groundbreaking initiative," expressed Dr. Sascha Priewe, Director, Collections and Public Programs, Aga Khan Museum. “This is a significant step in our ongoing dedication to developing innovative, immersive programming that creates new opportunities for intercultural and intergenerational connection through the arts.”
“It is with great joy that we can leverage our community partnership with the Aga Khan Museum to offer a new and exciting learning opportunity for our students,” stated Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education, Peel District School Board. “By transporting our students' learning environment to the Museum, the immersive arts experience encourages students to act with intention and become active participants in their learning environment.”
The student-led exhibition, on display from June 3 to 7, showcases the culmination of students' learning journeys, highlighting their insights, discoveries, and creative expressions. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with students’ work and celebrate the power of education to inspire curiosity and creativity.
About the Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, has been established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational activities and performing arts, the Museum’s mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare site with Toronto’s Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic.
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