"The program encourages groups of coworkers to study one work of art with a common theme and to discuss the art and how it impacts that theme," says Adera Causey, the museum’s curator of education.

"A business program called iLead also hopes to draw area employees to talk about personal leadership from a business angle. The art galleries serve as a ‘jump-off point’ for discussion," she adds.

Unum has long been a supporter of the museum, donating money and time to make sure adults and children alike have a place to view, learn and appreciate American art.

While Art for Lunch is geared toward employees, the junior docents after-school program at the museum is a great example of how Unum’s $20,000 contribution to the museum helps cover school program expenses and field trips.

Fifth-grade students who are enthusiastic about learning are selected to be junior docents. The program encourages docents to explore the museum and choose two of their favorite art pieces. The children eventually determine their personal interpretation of the art they select through research, critical thinking, closely examining the art and asking questions. At the end of the semester, the junior docents lead their classmates on a tour of the museum.

"We let them develop their own stories based on what they feel about the work they have chosen," Causey says. "And the end-of-semester tours give the children a really amazing opportunity to get to stand up in front of their classmates and be the expert."

Other programs allow teens to interpret and create art for school credit and serve on a teen advisory council – all ways education leaders and museum employees are trying to "engage students outside of the classroom," she adds.