In the spring of 2019, Great Museums Television will debut its latest one-hour documentary special, "FOREIGN YET FAMILIAR: The Art of Islam at The Met" and The Louvre on public television stations nationwide. The film explores the many cultural connections between the Islamic and Western worlds, as revealed by the Islamic art collections at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and The Louvre in Paris.
As part of the educational outreach for this landmark film, Great Museums, supported by a generous grant from the Doris Duke Foundation and in partnership with The Met’s Education Department, invited educators from the New York City metropolitan area to participate in a multi-faceted event this past November (2018). The morning consisted of a lecture from curators, filmmakers and teachers, as well as a “teaching tour” of The Met’s Islamic Art galleries. Attendees received an advance copy Great Museums’ "FOREIGN YET FAMILIAR" film, as well as a professional Curriculum Guide to Islamic Art, prepared by The Met’s Education Department. Guests departed the event equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to bring the story of the cultural connections between the Islamic and Western worlds back to their classrooms.
Plans are underway for a similar educational outreach event this year at The Louvre in Paris, France.