Explore More! is a free Arts Education program designed to provide multiple arts based educational experiences for second and third grade students in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Each session's theme coincides with the current exhibit in the William D. Cannon Art Gallery.

The program:  

• Teaches students about art appreciation – engaging with Artful Thinking routines encourages students in understanding how to interact with a work of art and become familiar with questions to ask themselves to draw from their own experiences and engage with artwork on their own.  
• Allows students to explore their creativity through art experiences inspired by the current exhibit and focused on key artistic elements. 
• Introduces students and their adult chaperones to an art gallery. Many have never visited an art gallery before this field trip and this introduction to an art exhibit sets a foundation for student inquiry to art. Students and their families are encouraged to seek out other art, exhibits and museum experiences because of it. 
• Supports teachers in the arts within our community - especially those that do not have an art background - to help provide their students with art on a regular basis.

Explore More! Fall Session Second Grade Timeline

• Pre-lesson: A brief visual introduction featuring select images from the exhibit, along with conversation prompts for teachers to facilitate before the field trip.
• Gallery Experience: Art Educators host a 50-minute Gallery Experience based on the Artful Thinking routine See, Think, Wonder and Visual Thinking Strategies.  
• Studio Experience: Art Educators host a 50-minute Studio Experience based on Studio Habits of the Mind and California standards. 
• Post-lesson: Teachers will receive an activity designed to extend field trip learning and continue art exploration back in the classroom.

Explore More! Spring Session Third Grade Timeline

Click here to register for the Explore More! 2026 Spring Session

• Pre-lesson: A brief visual introduction featuring select images from the exhibit, along with conversation prompts for teachers to facilitate before the field trip.
• Gallery Experience: Art Educators host a 50-minute Gallery Experience based on the Artful Thinking routine See, Think, Wonder and Visual Thinking Strategies.  
• Studio Experience: Art Educators host a 30-minute Studio Experience based on Studio Habits of the Mind and California standards.
• Library Tour: Library staff conduct a 20-minute tour of the Dove Library with an option for student library card registration prior to the tour; cards will be given to teachers at the conclusion of the tour.
• Post-lesson: Teachers will receive an activity designed to extend field trip learning and continue art exploration back in the classroom.

 For questions about the Explore More! program, email Vietca.Do@carlsbadca.gov.