Schools: using the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art

Bring your classes to the V&A to see stunning examples of Islamic Art and enrich learning across the curriculum.

The Jameel Gallery houses over 400 objects, including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork, which date from the great days of the Islamic caliphate of the 8th and 9th centuries to the years preceding the First World War. The area covered stretches from Spain in the west to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the east, taking in important centres of artistic production in the Arab lands, Turkey and Iran.

Here you can find information about resources you can use in the classroom and to prepare for a visit. The resources have been produced with generous support from the Jameel family.

News

We would like to invite a primary and secondary school to work with an artist/designer  to explore the Jameel Gallery between January and March 2012. The project will include a pre visit at the school by the artist, a visit to the V&A and follow up workshops at the school. Pupils will make 2D and 3D calligraphy and their work will be exhibited on the V&A’s website. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Kara Wescombe at schools@vam.ac.uk Deadline 31 December 2011.

About the Jameel Gallery

Here you can find out more about the Jameel Gallery

Find out more about the Jameel Gallery

Teachers’ resources

Here you can find more information about Islamic Art including films and detailed information about specific objects in the Jameel Gallery, together with resources sepcifically for teachers. These include visit, lesson and scheme of work suggestions, PowerPoint presentations to use in the classroom to introduce subjects and downloadable activity sheets to use in the museum.

View: Teachers' resource: Islamic art & design

Talks and workshops for schools

Two of our primary teaching sessions explore objects in the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art. These include Let’s go on a Picnic and V&A Voyage.

View: Programmes for primary schools

Book the Pattern and Textiles Gallery Tour for secondary students, for an introduction to pattern and textiles from India and the Middle East and to explore how Western designers such as William Morris were inspired by Islamic Art.

View: Programmes for secondary school students

Teachers’ events

We are offering free INSET in 2011/12 to introduce the Jameel Gallery and teachers’ resources. If you would like to book a visit for  teachers from your school, please contact us at schools@vam.ac.uk