When we think about the memorable moments of our teaching careers, big events often come to mind, like the art show that went off without a hitch, the student who won a prestigious award, or a special project with a visiting artist. However, there’s something to be said for the smaller, day-to-day moments when everyone shares a laugh.
In fact, some of the most unforgettable moments come from those funny comments or well-timed jokes that crack everyone up.
Whether you’re a natural comedian or not, it’s worthwhile to build up a repertoire of jokes to share with your class. A well-timed joke can lighten the mood and ensure everyone is paying attention. Plus, jokes can help build connections and create a welcoming art room. Getting a laugh, or just showing that you have a good sense of humor, can go a long way toward building positive relationships with your students.
“The Art of Laughter” has also been a recent topic of discussion in The Art of Ed Community. Community members have shared funny situations, art room humor, and the parts of teaching that keep things fun. We also had a hilarious discussion about our favorite art-related jokes. Check out some of our favorites below and be sure to read the post in the Community to see them all!
We’ve put together some of our favorite art-related jokes to help you garner a laugh (or maybe a groan).
Jokes About Art History
- I heard Jackson Pollock did great on his final art exam…
He passed with flying colors. - It’s a tense situation at the Picasso exhibit…
A lot of side-eye. - What is Salvador Dalí’s favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
A bowl of surreal.
Jokes About Color
- How do they answer the phone at the paint store?
“Yellow!” - What is a cat’s favorite color?
Purrrrrrrple! - What is orange and sounds like a parrot?
A carrot.
Jokes About Making Art
- What kinds of shoes do artists wear?
Sketchers - My friend is a pretty successful sculptor…
Last year, she made at least six figures. - A passerby asked a street artist why they were just staring at an empty piece of paper.
They said, “I’m drawing a blank!”
Jokes About Animals
- Where do cows hang their paintings?
In a moooooo-seum. - What is a seal’s favorite subject?
Art! Art! Art! Art! - How many Surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A fish!
Remember, using jokes and other forms of humor is an excellent way to build rapport with your students.
Students who enjoy art class are more likely to put effort into their projects, stay on task, and follow routines and procedures.
You don’t need to be naturally funny to leverage humor in the art room—start with these small steps:
- Add a quick pun to your lesson introduction.
- Use memes to build visual literacy and promote learning.
- Tell a joke to start or end class.
- Get kids hooked on art history by sharing amusing stories.
- Create a joke or meme of the week section on your bulletin board.
- Try a low-stakes, laugh-inducing game to build community among your students.
Those small moments of joking around can help build the classroom culture you want—a space where students feel comfortable and stay engaged. So go ahead and tell that joke, even if it gets a groan. Maybe, especially if it gets a groan!
What is the best time to tell a joke during your class?
How do students react to your sense of humor?
Come on over to The Art of Ed Community and share your favorite art jokes with us!
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
