Mapping to MN State Standards
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The resources on this page have been selected by eLibraryMN and Minnesota Digital Library librarians and curators to support the MN English Language Arts and the Social Studies standards, both current and pending, specifically related to arts and crafts. Resources in eLibraryMN and EbooksMN have unlimited simultaneous user access and are freely available to anyone geolocated in Minnesota. The primary source resources detailed are available to all, regardless of location.
Please reach out with questions or suggestions about linking to, using, or sharing these resources.
Academic Research
Below is a collection of available topic overviews that link to many related articles and resources within ELM.
Check out the Visual Arts portal into all things art and art studies in EBSCO Explora
Hobbies and Crafts Center in EBSCO Explora
Decorative Arts Resources from EBSCO Explora
Ebooks on Hobbies and Crafts: The story of LEGO
Art Therapy and Research: Peer reviewed articles on the scholarly world of the Arts and Arts applications in Academic Search Premier
Ebooks
This is a curated group of fiction and nonfiction ebooks, Grade Interest Level 9-12. All titles are available to students geolocated in MN without login. Linking directly to chapters is also possible. To link directly to the titles and share in your LMS or libguides, copy the link to the title(s) you want from our persistent link spreadsheet (if you are not accessing through the MackinVia app). Reach out to us with questions about linking.
The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting
Present
s a reference guide for knitters, with illustrated step-by-step instructions on basic techniques, 220 stitch patterns, and fifteen knitting projects.
Eco Gifts: Upcycled Gifts You Can Make
Using 
color photographs and step-by-step directions, describes how to create eco-friendly gifts by up-cycling used items such as old shirts, candles, and plastic containers. Also explains how to make eco-friendly gift boxes, paper, bags, and bows.
Cubism: Odysseys
Exami
nes the Cubism art movement from its inception in the early 1900s to its decline during World War I. Includes suggested places to visit, a timeline, a glossary, and color photographs.
Pastels
Prese
nts illustrated step-by-step instructions for using pastel paints to create paintings and decorations. Discusses a number of different techniques for pastel painting.
Explores the life and work of artist Pablo Picasso, featuring many examples of his paintings. Discusses his early life, career, and the world events that shaped his art. Includes a timeline, glossary, index, and excerpt of Picasso's own writing.
Primary Sources
Resources below are recommended by MDL curators from partners in primary source history.
Exhibit at the 1886 Industrial Exposition
Before Minnesota had a permanent art museum, people were only exposed to artwork through traveling exhibitions and temporary galleries.
Florence Stork created this oil painting of children’s book author Wanda Gag while she was a student at the St. Paul Art Institute in 1913.
The Twin Cities Weavers Guild held classes on weaving techniques at the University of Minnesota during the 1940s.
Isabel Peterson with her paintings
Throughout history, people from all walks of life have found joy and purpose in creating art and crafting, including Isabel Peterson, a painter from Rochester.
Harvey Jurik created these hand-colored costume renderings with fabric swatches for the play “Amadeus” performed at St. Cloud State University in 1985-1986.
Interview with Karen Ritz, book illustrator
Karen Ritz discussed her many children’s book illustration projects in a 1992 television program called “Northern Lights - A Look at Minnesota Books and Writers.”
MDL Collections
- Weavers Guild newsletters, 1968-2022
- Craft Connection newsletters, 1975-2003
- Polish Wycinanki cut-paper artwork
- Kids Design Glass project for the East Central Regional Library
Curated Resources
Interlibrary Loan/Resource Sharing
For in depth research into these topics, sometimes you need to request materials from other libraries. These can be digital or they can sometimes be printed books. There are two main options for requesting these materials. One, MNLINK, allows you to search all Minnesota libraries for the requires the use of a public library card and PIN. While many educators use their own library card to help students, it is recommended that students use their own. However, this is not always possible, so there is a second option: Minitex Resource sharing for schools. This allows one staff member per school to request items on behalf of students and have the items sent directly to the school building. If you have questions about which option is better for you and your students, reach out to us and we can help.