Art History Timeline / Street Art and Contemporary Art
Street Art and Contemporary Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Today artists make art in every way you can imagine. Some paint on city walls and subway stations, some cover rooms with dots, and some paint people in powerful new ways. Art can be anywhere.
For teachers
Graffiti and street art grew in New York City in the 1970s and spread worldwide, and artists like Haring and Basquiat moved between the street and galleries. Contemporary artists use painting, sculpture, installation, video and digital media and often address identity, community and history. Talk with students about the difference between permitted murals and vandalism.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Bold lines and bright colours
- Words, symbols and tags
- Art in public places
- Repeated patterns like dots
Meet the artists
Yayoi Kusama
born 1929
She is famous for polka dots, pumpkins and mirror rooms that seem to go on forever.
Keith Haring
1958 to 1990
He drew chalk pictures on empty black ad panels in New York subway stations.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
1960 to 1988
He often painted crowns in his work.
Kehinde Wiley
born 1977
He painted the official portrait of President Barack Obama.
Try it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Draw your name in big bubble letters that touch and overlap. Fill each letter with a different pattern, add a thick black outline and a few movement lines around it, like a Keith Haring figure.
Ms Artastic lessons
Ready-to-teach lessons that connect to this part of the timeline.
Watch with Ms Artastic
Videos from my YouTube channel that connect to this era.
How to Teach Jean Michel BasquiatMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
Principles of Design Pattern & Repetition, Yayoi Kusama Art Project Valentine's Day Heart Art LessonMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
DRAW a Graffiti Stegosaurus!Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
Diving into Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Journey of Inspiration for Art EducatorsMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the videoBooks for your art shelf
- Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
- Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay Haring
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What is street art and contemporary art?
Today artists make art in every way you can imagine. Some paint on city walls and subway stations, some cover rooms with dots, and some paint people in powerful new ways. Art can be anywhere.
What time period is street art and contemporary art from?
Time period: 1970s to today. Where: Around the world.
Who are some famous artists of street art and contemporary art?
Yayoi Kusama (born 1929), Keith Haring (1958 to 1990), Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 to 1988) and Kehinde Wiley (born 1977).
What is an easy art project for kids about street art and contemporary art?
Draw your name in big bubble letters that touch and overlap. Fill each letter with a different pattern, add a thick black outline and a few movement lines around it, like a Keith Haring figure.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Kusama, Haring and Basquiat video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
