Child Creativity & Visual Arts: From Secessionist Vienna to Postwar America

Thu Feb 05 2026 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm UTC-05:00

Embassy of Austria | Washington

Austrian Cultural Forum Washington
Publisher/HostAustrian Cultural Forum Washington
Child Creativity & Visual Arts: From Secessionist Vienna to Postwar America
Advertisement
Lecture and Book Presentation by Dr. Megan Brandow-Faller followed by a Panel Discussion and a Q&A
About this Event

Join us for an intriguing lecture and book presentation by Dr. Megan Brandow-Faller about . After the lecture, a panel discussion with Dr. Megan Brandow-Faller (Professor of History at the City University of New York), Dr. James P. Shedel (Professor of History at Georgetown University), and Dr. Steven Beller (Author & Independent Researcher) will take place, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

From the ‘creative corners’ found in postwar suburban ranch homes to the proliferation of children’s art exhibitions in public schools and libraries, Secessionist notions of child creativity burned brightly in postwar America. That all children are inherently creative with unique access to imaginative and expressive powers—remains ubiquitous in contemporary American society. This lecture examines the intellectual-cultural roots of commonplace notions of children’s creativity born in Secessionist Vienna, excavating the transmission of these ideas through the lens of three critical intermediaries:

  • Franz Cižek, often called the ‘patriarch’ of progressive art education and one of the first art educators to allow children to draw from their imaginations;
  • Emmy Zweybrück, who ran a successful craft school for girls and commercial workshops based on ideas similar to Cižek but with a greater emphasis on traditionally-feminine media and the transmission of solid handcraft knowledge;
  • and Viktor Lowenfeld, a Cižek pupil widely considered the most influential figure in 20th-century American art education who shifted the emphasis of creative art education from aesthetics to its therapeutic and developmental potential.


The event is followed by an Austrian wine reception.

Please find more information on our ACF DC website.


Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The event starts at 7:00 p.m.

************

Please bring a photo I.D.

************

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the event. These might be used by ACF DC for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media, or in any third-party publication.

************

Parking on International Court is available after 6:00 pm (for the duration of the event), or on 36th Street (access to the Embassy through the park behind the building). Van Ness Metro (Red Line) is a short distance away.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Ct NW, Washington, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Washington

Algorythm+\/How to Leverage AI (for Absolute Beginners)
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:00 pm Algorythm+/How to Leverage AI (for Absolute Beginners)

Washington

Fix the Journey.  Fix the Club.
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm Fix the Journey. Fix the Club.

West End DC Public Library

Jonah Kagen at The Atlantis
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm Jonah Kagen at The Atlantis

The Atlantis

The History of Ballet Part II: 20th Century to Present
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm The History of Ballet Part II: 20th Century to Present

700 12th St NW

Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask

Allen Chapel AME Church

UWIB DC: Sip, Connect & Celebrate at Her Diner
Thu, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm UWIB DC: Sip, Connect & Celebrate at Her Diner

Her Diner

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:30 pm Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Warner Theatre

Natalie Cuomo! February 5-7
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:30 pm Natalie Cuomo! February 5-7

1523 22nd St NW, Washington D.C., DC, United States, Washington, District of Columbia 20037

Stand-Up Showcase (February 5-7)
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:30 pm Stand-Up Showcase (February 5-7)

The DC Improv Comedy Club

Natalie Cuomo at DC Comedy Loft
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:30 pm Natalie Cuomo at DC Comedy Loft

DC Comedy Loft

Francis Ellis at Improv Comedy Club - DC
Thu, 05 Feb Francis Ellis at Improv Comedy Club - DC

Improv Comedy Club - DC

Yumi Kurosawa Trio
Thu, 05 Feb at 07:30 pm Yumi Kurosawa Trio

Meyer Auditorium

Washington is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Washington Events