• 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

June 15, 2016 1 Comment

The Olympic Art Competitions from 1912-1948 — Discussions and Activities

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

When I was in high school, there was a pivotal moment at the end of my freshman year of high school: do I continue with sports or do I follow my interest in the arts? Ultimately, I choose the arts because the competitiveness of high school basketball was a little too much for me to handle (plus, I was really quite terrible at sports).

The Art Curator for Kids - The Olympic Art Competitions Classroom Activities

Well, it turns out that the arts are a bit more competitive than I thought. Did you know that between 1912 and 1948, the Olympics held art competitions in architecture, music, painting, literature, and sculpture? I find this to be totally fascinating.

View of the 1932 Olympic Art Exhibit
View of the 1932 Olympic Art Exhibit

However, the art couldn’t just be any work of art. According to the official rules, the art had to be related in some way to athletics and Olympic ideals. Not many people have heard of the Olympic medalists in art because professionals were not allowed to participate in any Olympic event at the time (which is no longer the case).

Jack Butler Yeats, The Liffey Swim, 1924, Silver Medal for Ireland
Jack Butler Yeats, The Liffey Swim, 1924, Silver Medalist for Ireland

From what I’ve read online, the Olympic art competitions were a bit of a mess. Corrupt judging, constantly changing rules, low participation, and more caused these competitions to not last long in history. There were even some cases where no medals were awarded or they awarded a silver and bronze but no gold! (BURN!)

Ruth Miller, Struggle, 1932, Silver Medalist for United States
Ruth Miller, Struggle, 1932, Silver Medalist for United States

As I read about these completion, I have a couple questions that keep plaguing me. Here are some thoughtful discussion ideas you can bring up with your students about the competitions.

Art and Olympics Discussion Questions, Activity, and Project Ideas

Simon Goossens, Les Patineurs (Skaters), 1920, Silver Medalists for Belgium
Simon Goossens, Les Patineurs (Skaters), 1920, Silver Medalist for Belgium

Reuniting Muscle and Mind

Pierre de Coubertin was the founder of the International Olympic Committee and considered the father of the modern Olympics. He said that the art competitions were supposed to help “reunite in the bonds of legitimate wedlock a long-divorced couple — Muscle and Mind.”

  • Why do you think the Olympic art competitions were started?
  • When in the past have muscle and mind been wedded?
  • Why would it be important to unite muscle and mind?
Rudolf Herman Eisenmenger, Runners at the Finish Line, 1936, Silver Medalist for Austria
Rudolf Herman Eisenmenger, Runners at the Finish Line, 1936, Silver Medalist for Austria

Professionals vs. Amateurs

In the early 20th-century, Olympians were not allowed to be professionals. Some say this was why the art competitions ultimately failed.

  • Why do you think professionals were not allowed to compete?
  • What is the different between a professional artist and an amateur? Can we make that distinction so easily?
  • Now that professionals are allowed in the Olympic games, do you think an Olympic art contest would be more successful?
  • If professionals would have been allowed to compete, do you think they would have?
  • How do you think professional artists during this time felt about the Olympic art competitions?
Mahonri Young, The Knockdown, 1932, Gold Medalist for United States
Mahonri Young, The Knockdown, 1932, Gold Medalist for United States

Olympic Art Competitions Today?

With the art world the way it is, I can’t image a situation where they would ever recreate these Olympic art competitions, but what if they did?

  • How do you think an Olympic art competition would go over today?
  • If you had to design an Olympic art competition, how would it go? What would be the rules and limitations placed on the artists?
  • Do you think an Olympic art competition would help unite the world or divide us? How would an Olympic art competition impact relationships, stereotypes, and politics among differing cultures?
  • How is art currently integrated into the games? Research.
Alfred Ost, De Voetballer, 1920, Silver Medalist for Belgium
Alfred Ost, De Voetballer, 1920, Silver Medalist for Belgium

Become an Artist Olympian

If you want a fun art project idea, try this out. Imagine you are submitting a sports-themed artwork for the Olympic art competition of the past. What would you include? Make a painting or sculpture as your entry.

50+ Olympic Activities for Kids

olympics_for_kids_crafts

This post is a part of the Olympics series by an awesome group of kid bloggers. Check out the landing page for links to all of the posts. I’ll be back again next week to bring you a post about the art of the host country of Brazil. Enjoy!

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art Connection Activities

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Close Encounters with Art-Art Observation Activities 700x1000Close Encounters with Art – Art Observation ActivitiesCharlotte Mason Picture Study: John Singleton CopleyDecoding Style: How to Teach Students to Read an Artwork

Reader Interactions

1 Comment

  1. Carolyn Wilhelm

    June 30, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    These are great discussion questions. I used to teach gifted education and this would be a worthy lesson as it reqires higher level thinking skills. A family member teaches art so I am sharing the link. Thank you!

    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!

-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.

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.

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