Take some time to enjoy art this weekend

Over the last couple of months I've been working on a special project for an organization where I volunteer. It's a little bit different from our usual blog content, but I'd like to share it with you. Today I'm presenting three art-related topics to explore, starting with the latest Lively Exchanges free download! Take a look:

          

1. Take a "self-guided" tour of an art museum

          

Have you ever felt a little lost at an art exhibition? Do you wish you knew how to get more out of your museum visits? Well, try this free download! Take it with you to an exhibition and use it as a tool to help you deepen your art-viewing experiences. Enjoy your Self-Guided Art Walk!

         

            

           

2. See how film directors have been inspired by art

           

Take a look at two short clips titled "Film Meets Art". Filmmaker Vugar Efendi has compiled a series of film shots and placed them side-by-side with the paintings that they reference. How many of these paintings do you recognize? How many of the films have you seen?

         

Watch the first clip here: Film Meets Art, part 1

And the second clip here: Film Meets Art, part 2

          

       

3. Read about Italy's "art police"

            

You might have heard that Italy has been hit by several earthquakes recently. Rescuing people is a top priority after these powerful quakes. But next comes the art police. It's their job to save precious pieces of cultural heritage.

          

When Cultural Heritage Is At Risk, Italy's Art Police Come To The Rescue

       

     

Which of these activities did you try? Tell us about it in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Italy's government wants to boost teens' cultural education

Topic:

          

This article is about a program in Italy which offers 18-year-olds money to spend on cultural activities.
         

The Colosseum in Rome

          

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Italy on a map? What do you know about arts and culture in this country?
• Visiting a museum is one example of a cultural activity. What are some other examples?
• What does "highbrow" culture mean?

           

Speculate:

• The Italian government is sponsoring a program offering 18-year-olds money for cultural activities. What might be some goals of this program? In other words, what might the government be hoping to achieve from this?

          

            

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website. Word count: 648

           

After reading:

          

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In order to receive the 500 Euros, 18-year-olds must "register online and download an app". Why do you think the government chose this method for reaching young people? Will this method prevent any young people from accessing the benefit?
• The article also mentions Italy's high youth unemployment rate (40%). Why do you think the government chose to spend money on cultural education, rather than on boosting employment? What does this choice suggest about the government's priorities?
• The government's program "doesn't distinguish between pop culture and highbrow culture". What do you think about this policy?
• Explain why Barak Mendelsohn doesn't think the Italian government's plan will work.
• One of the Italian government's goals for this program is that it will help young immigrants integrate into Italian culture and society. Besides this program, what are some other ways that integration might be accomplished?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• If you had $500 to spend on cultural activities, how would you use it? Explain your choices.
• What do you think: is cultural education a good plan for fighting against extremism? Explain your position.
• Is your country very concerned about integrating immigrants into society? Why or why not?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

             

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Chinese police on patrol in...Italy?

Beginning this month, Chinese police may be seen patrolling some Italian streets. Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website. Word count: 462

  

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Italy on a map? Where are Rome and Milan?
• What are some problems that tourists should prepare for before they travel abroad?

        

Speculate:

• Chinese police officers have begun patrolling parts of Italy. Why do you think the Italian police might have invited foreign officers to patrol jointly with them? What could be the goal of this partnership?

           

Tourists in St. Peter's Square, Rome

          

        

After reading:

      

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might be the most challenging parts of creating and maintaining partnerships between Chinese and Italian police forces?
• What is your opinion of this police partnership?
• Why do Chinese tourists feel "amazed, astonished, [and] happy" to see a Chinese officer patrolling in Italy? Explain what Pang Bo means.
• According to Italian national police chief Alessandro Pansa, "proximity policing" is a new approach the Italian police are taking. How does cooperation with Chinese police fit into this plan? What are other ways that Italian police could "[be] close to citizens' needs"?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• Why do you think that Italian police are partnering specifically with Chinese police? What does this suggest about Chinese tourism in Italy?
• Do you think partnerships between local and foreign police would be good in parts of your country? Explain.
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

           

Beyond the page:

• Find out more about proximity policing or community policing. Is it happening where you live?

             

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!