Schools
Educational programs at Mattress Factory aim to teach groups about the challenges and rewards of the artistic process through exploration and experimentation. Students can take guided tours of the museum, respond to writing prompts and sketch in handmade Mattress Factory journals, create art, and more. Younger learners will enjoy Mini Tours made especially for groups in preschool and kindergarten. Pittsburgh public schools receive special discounts. Field trips must be booked in advance to take advantage of discounted group rates. Teachers can request complimentary Educator Admission passes to see exhibits before taking their students on field trips to Mattress Factory.
supports classroom learning in:
Art.
topics covered:
Visual art, design, art history, language arts.
contact info
Name: Education Department
Email: [email protected]
INFO
ABOUT
Mattress Factory
The Mattress Factory is a museum featuring room-sized galleries of contemporary “art you can get into.” Housed in a former Stearns & Foster mattress warehouse, the museum has a variety of permanent and changing exhibits. Permanent exhibits include installation art by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, Rolf Julius, and others. Exhibits feature sound, video projections, sculpture, painting, photography, and other art forms. The museum offers tours, teacher workshops, hands-on educational programs, and outreach. Group discounts are available. Bring lunch to eat in the lobby or garden, or visit the MF Café after your visit.
contact info
Hrs: Tues.-Sat. 10AM-5PM, Sun. 1PM–5PM.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Art Museum Lesson Plan
FUN FACTS
– Vincent Van Gogh created over 2,000 works during his lifetime. However, he was only ever able to sell one of his paintings while he was alive.
– Leonardo Da Vinci was left-handed. He took notes from right-to-left instead of the English language standard left-to-right.
– Pablo Picasso was arrested and questioned regarding the theft of Mona Lisa in 1911. He was released without being charged.
– In late 1961, Henri Matisse’s painting “Le Bateau” was hung upside down at the Museum of Modern Art in New York for 46 days before anyone noticed.
View Lesson Plan>>
Camp
Campers can take guided tours of the Mattress Factory where they will discuss and learn from museum educators about the creative process. Reservations for guided tours must be made at least three weeks in advance. Camp groups can also participate in a variety of educational programs and enjoy art making activities.
contact info
Name: Education Department
Email: [email protected]
INFO
ABOUT
Mattress Factory
The Mattress Factory is a museum featuring room-sized galleries of contemporary “art you can get into.” Housed in a former Stearns & Foster mattress warehouse, the museum has a variety of permanent and changing exhibits. Permanent exhibits include installation art by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, Rolf Julius, and others. Exhibits feature sound, video projections, sculpture, painting, photography, and other art forms. The museum offers tours, teacher workshops, hands-on educational programs, and outreach. Group discounts are available. Bring lunch to eat in the lobby or garden, or visit the MF Café after your visit.
contact info
Hrs: Tues.-Sat. 10AM-5PM, Sun. 1PM–5PM.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Art Museum Lesson Plan
FUN FACTS
– Vincent Van Gogh created over 2,000 works during his lifetime. However, he was only ever able to sell one of his paintings while he was alive.
– Leonardo Da Vinci was left-handed. He took notes from right-to-left instead of the English language standard left-to-right.
– Pablo Picasso was arrested and questioned regarding the theft of Mona Lisa in 1911. He was released without being charged.
– In late 1961, Henri Matisse’s painting “Le Bateau” was hung upside down at the Museum of Modern Art in New York for 46 days before anyone noticed.
View Lesson Plan>>
Homeschool
Homeschool groups are welcome to tour the Mattress Factory’s exhibits and participate in educational programs that will help them understand the challenges and rewards of the artistic process. Activities include sketching in provided handmade Mattress Factory journals, making masks, creating art using man made materials, and more. Programs can be tailored to match your homeschool curriculum needs. Homeschool educators can request a complimentary Educator Admission pass to see exhibits before taking their homeschoolers on field trips to the museum.
topics covered:
Visual art, design, art history, language arts.
contact info
Name: Education Department
Email: [email protected]
INFO
ABOUT
Mattress Factory
The Mattress Factory is a museum featuring room-sized galleries of contemporary “art you can get into.” Housed in a former Stearns & Foster mattress warehouse, the museum has a variety of permanent and changing exhibits. Permanent exhibits include installation art by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, Rolf Julius, and others. Exhibits feature sound, video projections, sculpture, painting, photography, and other art forms. The museum offers tours, teacher workshops, hands-on educational programs, and outreach. Group discounts are available. Bring lunch to eat in the lobby or garden, or visit the MF Café after your visit.
contact info
Hrs: Tues.-Sat. 10AM-5PM, Sun. 1PM–5PM.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Art Museum Lesson Plan
FUN FACTS
– Vincent Van Gogh created over 2,000 works during his lifetime. However, he was only ever able to sell one of his paintings while he was alive.
– Leonardo Da Vinci was left-handed. He took notes from right-to-left instead of the English language standard left-to-right.
– Pablo Picasso was arrested and questioned regarding the theft of Mona Lisa in 1911. He was released without being charged.
– In late 1961, Henri Matisse’s painting “Le Bateau” was hung upside down at the Museum of Modern Art in New York for 46 days before anyone noticed.
View Lesson Plan>>