Mott Haven Street Art & Graffiti Experience: School Field Trip Program
Step into the vibrant world of urban art with a guided educational field trip through the Mott Haven section of the Bronx—one of New York City’s most historically rich and culturally expressive neighborhoods. This immersive walking tour introduces students to the dynamic and evolving medium of graffiti and street art, offering a unique lens into contemporary visual culture, public expression, and community identity.
Led by authentic, working graffiti artists with deep roots in the Bronx’s artistic movements, students will explore large-scale murals, throw-ups, and tags that decorate the neighborhood’s walls. Through expert-led dialogue, participants will learn about the history of graffiti—from its underground origins in the 1970s to its global recognition as a legitimate art form—as well as its impact on social justice, youth expression, and urban aesthetics.
The tour includes interactive, hands-on demonstrations, allowing students to engage directly with graffiti techniques such as lettering, spray can control, and stencil design, under professional supervision. These sessions encourage creative experimentation and reinforce concepts tied to the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts, including:
Creating: Developing artistic ideas and work
Presenting: Understanding and interpreting artistic work
Responding: Analyzing and interpreting meaning in street art
Connecting: Relating artistic ideas to personal and cultural contexts
This program can be customized to suit grade level, curriculum goals, and art class projects, making it an ideal supplement to classroom learning about visual storytelling, public art, and contemporary artistic practice.
Join us in celebrating the bold voices and vivid colors of Mott Haven's streets—where the city becomes a canvas and every wall tells a story.