Empire of the Sultans: Ottoman Art from the Khalili Collection

Students from Rocky Mountain Elementary School in Alpine School District wait to enter.

As students and teachers walked through the red- and white-striped arches denoting unique Islamic architectural features, they were introduced into a world of renowned artistic and cultural thought. During a time of multicultural and diverse emphasis in teaching, the Empire of the Sultans exhibit from the Khalili Collection in London presented students and teachers with an integrative and creative setting for learning social and cultural acceptance and appreciation

"The [BYU-Public School] Partnership schools' attendance of Empire of the Sultans has been remarkable," exclaims Herman du Toit, the BYU Museum of Arts' education director.

Students compare detailed horse helmets.

"We had the highest percentage of K-12 school attendance attending this exhibition in comparison to earlier blockbusters that we've hosted at the Museum of Art. In fact, more than a third of our total attendance can be ascribed to the K-12 attendance that has come from promotion of the exhibition in the school system, especially the sixth grade group. The schools have been attending on a regular basis, daily... We are heartened by the fact that the [BYU-Public School] Partnership schools are taking advantage of what the Museum has to offer."

The BYU-Public School Partnership schools accounted for 7184 students and faculty at the exhibit with funding from a transportation grant. Partnership schools made up nearly a third of the total K-12 school attendance from Utah and surrounding states; total attendance of the Empire of the Sultans was 79,800.

Curators of the Museum of Art arranged the Ottoman art in a perspective-enhancing way. Students could see items such as jewel-studded rifles, conical helmets, golden swords, elaborate calligraphic etchings, and detailed copies of the Koran. As the students progressed through the displays, they could listen to audio narration and learn much about the science, art, religion, trade, government, literature, and conquests of the Empire of the Crescent Moon. Combining standard audio instruction with visual images gave students and teachers common themes of discussion, while allowing students to interpret the exhibit pieces from their own understanding and viewpoints.

Students look at a tiger constructed from calligraphy.

Empire of the Sultans was spearheaded by an educators' evening in late August, 2002 where the museum provided an opportunity for teachers statewide to preview the exhibit. During the meeting, the details of the Eccles Foundation grant for transportation were discussed and clarified. Teachers received classroom materials to use in conjunction with visits to the exhibit.

Accompanying the success of BYU Museum of Art attendance by BYU-Public School Partnership schools, members of the staff at the Museum of Art have recently hired a new museum education specialist, Rita Wright. Herman DuToit says, "Her main focus will be to continue and to develop links between the Museum and the K-12 school system." She recently participated in the ATTE Art Symposium for educators.