• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

  • Art & Artists
  • Art Connection Activities
  • Art Teacher Tips
  • Elements & Principles
  • Downloads & Resources
Home
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
    • Art & Artists
    • Elements & Principles
    • Art Connection Activities
    • Art Teacher Tips
    • Downloads & Resources
  • Book
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

May 8, 2025 32 Comments

82 Questions to Ask about Art

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Inside: Why classroom art discussion is a vital part of art education and 82 powerful questions about art you can use to spark meaningful conversations.

Ever stood in front of an artwork with your students and asked, “What do you see?” only to be met with blank stares?

We’ve all been there. But when you have the right questions, the whole conversation opens up.

This list of 82 questions is more than just a teaching tool—it’s a doorway to deeper thinking, richer discussions, and those magical moments when a student connects personally to a piece of art.

👉 Want a printable version to keep at your fingertips? I’ve got you covered—download it below.

🎁 Download the Free Printable!

Get all 82 questions in a beautifully formatted PDF—perfect for printing, bookmarking, or keeping handy during class discussions. Click the yellow “Download” button in the box below.

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Download

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Why These Questions Make a Difference

As art teachers, we know the importance of creativity and the joy of making something with your own hands, but we also know the power of looking at the artworks of others.

Looking at art is an emotional, independent experience. Each person looking at a work of art will view it through the lens of their life and draw different meanings based on what they see. Talking about art allows us to break free of our solitary interpretations and uncover new insights.

Classroom art discussions are a launching pad for creativity, collaboration, and cognition. By exposing our students to works of art, giving them the space to examine their reactions, and opening a dialogue to share their thoughts, we help them develop empathy, connect with history, flex their critical thinking and observation skills, and consider the human spirit.

Not sure how to structure your discussion? Try using the SPARK art criticism steps as a simple and repeatable framework.

If you haven’t done it before, starting a classroom art discussion can be intimidating, but the benefits are worth overcoming the nerves. Below you’ll find 82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classes. If you’d like more guidance, check out my five tips for leading a meaningful classroom art discussion.

Grab this art questions list and an artwork from 10 Artworks Perfect for an Art Criticism Lesson for older students or 20 Great Artworks to Look at with Young Kids for younger children, and start talking about art with your students!

Pair these questions with art cards for a variety of engaging art appreciation activities! Learn how to make a DIY art collection and start a weekly masterpiece presentation in your classroom.

Questions About Art

  1. What’s going on in this artwork?
  2. What was your first reaction to this artwork? Why do you think you had the reaction? 
  3. Does your opinion about the artwork change the longer you look at it? Why?
  4. Describe the lines in this artwork
  5. Describe the colors in the artwork
  6. Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? Why?
  7. Which area of the artwork is most important? Why?
  8. How did this artist use space? (Space in Art Examples)
  9. How did the artist use balance?  (Artworks that Use Balance)
  10. How did the artist use proportion?  (Examples of Proportion in Art)
  11. How does your eye move through the artwork? What choices did the artist make to make that happen?
  12. Close your eyes and describe the artwork from memory. Why did you remember what you remembered? Why did you forget what you forgot?
  13. How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it?
  14. What elements of this painting seem real?
  15. What adjectives would you use to describe this artwork?
  16. What verbs would you use to describe this artwork?
  17. What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary?
  18. What is strange about this painting?
  19. What is mysterious about this artwork?
  20. What is normal about this artwork?
  21. What is boring about this artwork?
  22. Why is this artwork not boring to look at?
  23. What is exciting about this artwork?
  24. If this painting had sound effects, what would they sound like? (More activities about art senses)
  25. If this artwork was a brand, what would be its slogan?
  26. What is missing from this artwork?
  27. If this artwork were music, what would it sound like?
  28. If this artwork could dance, what song would it dance to?
  29. What do we know about the artist after viewing this artwork?
  30. If you could ask the artist a question, what would you ask him/her?
  31. Who do you think was this artwork created for? Why do you say that?
  32. How do you think the artist feels about the final product?
  33. How do you think this artwork was made?
  34. Why do you think this artist created this work?
  35. What do you think this artist is trying to say in this artwork? What is the meaning or message?
  36. What’s the story being told, if any?
  37. What do you think happened before this scene?
  38. What do you think happened next?
  39. What emotions do you notice in the artwork?
  40. What emotions do you feel when looking at this?
  41. How do you think the artist was feeling when he created this artwork?
  42. How did the artist use line, shape, and color to contribute to the mood or meaning?
  43. What is the title? How does the title contribute to your understanding of the meaning?
  44. What title would you give this artwork?
  45. What symbols do you notice in the artwork?
  46. What juxtapositions do you notice?
  47. Put your body into the pose of some element of this artwork.  How does it feel to be in that position?
  48. What would it feel like to be in this artwork?
  49. What does this artwork remind you of? Why?
  50. How do you personally relate to/connect with this picture?
  51. How can you connect this artwork to your own life?
  52. How might you feel differently about the world after looking at this artwork?
  53. Why do you think you should be learning about/looking at this artwork?
  54. Do you want to see this artwork again? Why?
  55. What do you want to remember about this artwork?
  56. What do you want to forget about this artwork?
  57. Who do you know that would really like this artwork? Why would they like it?
  58. Who do you know that would really hate this artwork? Why would they hate it?
  59. What do you like about this artwork?
  60. What do you dislike about this artwork?
  61. What is beautiful about this artwork?
  62. Why would someone want to steal this artwork?
  63. If you could change this artwork, how would you change it? Why?
  64. What does this artwork say about the culture in which is was produced?
  65. How do you think this artwork was used by the people who made it? What was its function?
  66. Was this intended to be a work of art or not? Why do you think that? How does that impact your understanding of the artwork?
  67. What does this painting say about the world in which we live?
  68. What does this artwork teach us about the past?
  69. How does this artwork teach us about the future?
  70. What was happening in history when this artwork was made? How does that change your understanding of the artwork?
  71. What are the values and beliefs of the culture in which this artwork was made?
  72. How might your interpretation of this artwork be different from someone in another culture?
  73. If you could ask this artwork a question, what would you ask it?
  74. If this artwork had eyes, what would it see?
  75. If this artwork were a person, what would they want to eat for lunch?
  76. If this artwork were a person, what would they look like?
  77. If this artwork were a person, what would their personality be?
  78. If the art could talk, what would it say?
  79. What would this artwork want to do when it grows up?
  80. If this artwork could travel anywhere in the world, where would it go? Why?
  81. If this painting were a person, what job/career would it want to have?
  82. What is this artwork afraid of?

🖨️ Download the Printables

This list is available to download in two formats:

  • A two-page PDF list of all 82 questions
  • Printable index cards (cut out or laminate for easy use)

Get the free PDF by entering your email in the box above or clicking here.

📋 What’s Included:

  • 82 Questions About Art (List)
  • 82 Questions About Art (Printable Index Cards)
  • Links to Suggested Artworks

✨ Want More Ready-to-Use Lessons?

💡 Join Curated Connections!
Curated Connections is your go-to membership for powerful, done-for-you art appreciation lessons that spark connection, creativity, and deep thinking in your classroom.
👉 Click here to learn more and join today.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art Connection Activities, Downloads and Resources

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Art Around the World in 30 Days + GIVEAWAY – July 2023Charlotte Mason Introduce important works of art to your kidsCharlotte Mason Picture Study: An Easy Way to Introduce Art to your KidsShen Zhou’s Poet on a Mountaintop

Reader Interactions

32 Comments

  1. Torrey

    February 7, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you, Cindy. As a middle school art teacher, your prompts are GOLD!!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      February 8, 2016 at 1:57 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply to this comment
    • Brooklynn

      April 25, 2024 at 4:44 pm

      This is very cool 👍

      Reply to this comment
      • Amy Davis

        April 29, 2024 at 7:07 am

        Awesome! Glad you’re finding it useful.

        Reply to this comment
  2. Alejandra

    September 30, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    Great guiding questions. Thank you!

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy Ingram

      October 1, 2017 at 6:01 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply to this comment
  3. Benson

    November 25, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    Thank very much for the 82 question. I will take time to look at each one of them.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Elizabeth

    May 11, 2020 at 1:46 am

    Amazing thank you soooo much

    Reply to this comment
    • Paul Garner

      October 18, 2021 at 1:15 pm

      All docents at the Tucson Museum of Art are receiving a “post Covid” refresher course – these 82 questions are required homework. The effort and insights of the author (Cindy?) are appreciated and currently being put to good use. Thank you.

      Reply to this comment
      • Amy Davis

        October 22, 2021 at 8:17 am

        That is so awesome to hear! Thank you.

        Reply to this comment
  5. Zoe Campos

    July 21, 2020 at 9:27 am

    It’s interesting to know that appreciating art can be an emotional and independent experience. I’m taking Engineering courses right now but visiting a museum once with my friend made me realize how wonderful art is, even if it doesn’t have any direct relation to my chosen degree. It might be a good idea to look into realistic sculptures and start studying art from there.

    Reply to this comment
  6. Angelina John

    October 29, 2020 at 10:21 am

    Hi These are great! Can’t seem to download can you help?

    Angelina

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      October 30, 2020 at 8:49 am

      I will send you an email to help you get this downloaded.

      Reply to this comment
  7. Mildred O. Gabos

    January 17, 2021 at 10:24 pm

    I am interested with this training because this would be a great help for me to enhance my skills in English efficiency.

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      January 20, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply to this comment
  8. Hanna

    January 18, 2021 at 11:24 am

    Hi Cindy! I have tried to download these and keep receiving the art appreciation free resources. I am hoping to utilize them for some parent engagement with my students’ artwork. If you are still able to share the questions about art cards, I would appreciate it tons! Thank you!

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      January 20, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      Check your email, I am sending the download!

      Reply to this comment
  9. Allyson Huntsman

    March 7, 2021 at 9:52 am

    Hi there! LOVE these questions, but the download button doesn’t seem to be working (?)

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      March 9, 2021 at 12:29 pm

      The glitch is fixed! You can now download using the button.

      Reply to this comment
  10. Alexandra Diose

    March 21, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    It helps me a lot. Thank you.

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      March 23, 2021 at 11:46 am

      Awesome! You’re welcome.

      Reply to this comment
  11. Crafty Thinking

    August 4, 2021 at 7:10 am

    Thanks for your valuable resources keep sharing the information like this…

    Reply to this comment
  12. Jess

    October 3, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    Hey there, thanks for creating such a great resource. But I cant seem to download it, any help is appreciated. Jess

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      October 8, 2021 at 7:15 am

      Thanks for letting me know! I emailed you.

      Reply to this comment
  13. brianna

    March 2, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    i look forward to read these for my project at school very helpful

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      March 4, 2022 at 8:20 am

      Great, Brianna!

      Reply to this comment
  14. Rafiqua

    May 8, 2023 at 4:59 am

    I can’t get the resource to download 🙁

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      May 12, 2023 at 6:42 am

      I emailed you! Please check your junk/spam if you don’t find my email in your inbox.

      Reply to this comment
  15. Kate Markova

    September 22, 2023 at 5:16 am

    The great resource !

    Reply to this comment
  16. Smruti

    November 9, 2023 at 6:16 am

    very informative blog thanks

    Reply to this comment
  17. Asare Adu Kwapong Thomas

    November 16, 2023 at 11:26 pm

    It’s blissful, insightful and enjoyable. This work is artistically done and I appreciate your creativity. Thank you!

    Reply to this comment
    • Amy Davis

      November 28, 2023 at 3:27 pm

      So glad you found us!

      Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Cindy Ingram, the creator of Art Class Curator and The Curated Connections Library

I’m on a mission to revolutionize education with the power of life-changing art connections. Art is not “extra”. Art is essential. We are empowering teachers to bridge the gap between art making and art connection, kindling a passion for art that will transform generations.

More About Me

Free Worksheets!

SPARK Art Criticism Framework

SPARK is a complete art criticism and discussion framework that ignites deeper student art connections and more engaging classroom art discussions. Download these free SPARK posters plus a worksheet to use in your classroom!

Download

Free Worksheets!

SPARK Art Criticism Framework

SPARK is a complete art criticism and discussion framework that ignites deeper student art connections and more engaging classroom art discussions. Download these free SPARK posters plus a worksheet to use in your classroom!

Enrollment in Curated Connections Library is currently open. Click here to join. Join our list to get more information and to get a free lesson from the vault! If you are purchasing for a school or school district, head over here for more information.

Check Out What’s New In The Shop

Experience Art: Engaging Art Criticism Discussions and Activities for Teachers and Students of All Ages
Call to Art: An Un-Conference for Art Educators
Curated Connections Library Membership
Perspectives High School Curriculum

More Products

Have You Listened to the Latest Podcast Episode?

Falling for Naudline Pierre’s Evocative Art: A Conversation with Madalyn (Part 2)

More Episodes

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
Erin A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
Denise W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
Caroline G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
Maryjane F.

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Enter your email address to get regular art inspiration to your inbox
plus a BUNDLE OF 6 FREE WORKSHEETS!
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.
Download

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Copyright © 2025 Ignite Art, LLC DBA Art Class Curator •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Service  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs