Educational Program
Learning differently: art as a tool for transformation
Our Vision
In the face of today’s environmental challenges, we are convinced that art can open up new ways of understanding the world and forging connections with living things.
art-werk’s educational program invites children and young people to explore environmental issues through contemporary art. By combining artistic, scientific, and sensory approaches, we encourage participants to observe their surroundings, experiment, imagine, and create.
Our workshops foster an active relationship with the urban environment through three main themes:
- soil
- water
- natural resources
Rather than simply imparting knowledge, we seek to foster curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to take action.
Workshop at les Bains des Pâquis
How do we operate?
Participatory Workshops
Our program facilitators visit schools directly to lead workshops that combine artistic practice, scientific discovery, and observation of the local environment.
The “art-instructions” created by artists serve as the starting point for the workshops. They invite students to experiment with different ways of engaging with living things before creating their own artistic works.
Traveling Exhibition
At the end of the workshops, the students’ creations are brought together in an exhibition held at the school.
This exhibition is enhanced by one of our traveling kits, which includes:
- artworks and instructions from artists;
- scientific content developed with our partners;
- information on local ecosystems;
- fun resources designed for young audiences.
The exhibition then travels from school to school to continue fostering dialogue.
Off-site Workshops
We also offer workshops at festivals, recreation centers, cultural institutions, and public events to make these initiatives accessible to a wider audience.
Tailored Formats
We also develop customized workshops tailored to different audiences, including people with special needs and organizations looking to develop a specific project.
Workshop and tour offered by art-werk during the (re)connecting.earth biennial (03) ©️ Laura Moreva
Digital & Energy Workshop: Fishing for Resources, by the association terragir - Énergie solidaire, for de (re)connecting.earth biennale, 2026 © Émilie Berthouzoz
Current programmes
Duchamp au Jardin
A program dedicated to urban biodiversity, soil, plants, and the various forms of life that coexist with us.
Duchamp au Lac
Inspired by the
Beyond Water
Biennale, this program explores aquatic ecosystems, the connections between water and living organisms, and the ways in which we inhabit these environments.
Public workshops
Throughout the year, our team also offers workshops open to everyone at festivals, at the Bains des Pâquis, at summer camps, and as part of the (re)connecting.earth Biennale.
Vernissage at École des Ouches, 2024. Image: Lisa Frisco.
How can you participate in our workshops?
Our program is primarily aimed at elementary schools in the canton of Geneva.
Workshops are organized when at least four classes (5P through 8P) wish to participate.
The program includes:
- two initial sessions exploring art and science;
- a period of independent creation in the classroom;
- a third session dedicated to presenting the completed works.
Schools that are interested can then host a group exhibition followed by an opening reception attended by students, families, and teaching staff.
We can also design custom workshops for other schools, institutions, or events.
Would you like to participate?
- Register your school;
- Receive the educational kit;
- Organize a specific workshop;
- Get more information;
This program was developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction (DIP). art-werk is collaborating on this project with local partners, mainly schools and colleges, as well as associations active in environmental protection and sustainability, universities and colleges of higher education.
Schools we have collaborated with: Avanchet-Salève, Bosson UCE, Chêne-Bougeries, Cité-Jonction, Confignon, Cressy, De Chandieu, De-Budé, De-Haller, Luchepelet, Montfleury, Ouches, Sécheron, Vigne-Rouge, Vollandes