Artsy Crafty Library: Films to inspire & nurture creativity
Kanopy, a free streaming service for library users, is perfect if you're looking to nurture creativity, deepen understanding of art history or immerse yourself in the world of visual storytelling. When I searched “art instruction” I found titles on composition, figure drawing, light and shadow, and techniques for different painting media. I recommend the series How to Look at and Understand Great Art for insight into viewing and interpreting works in galleries and museums, transforming the way you see the world around you.
You’ll also find documentaries and films on legendary artists including Frida Kahlo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Marina Abramović, Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Banksy, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol among many others.
If you're interested in exploring how art shapes culture and reflects society, Kanopy offers a rich selection of documentaries and feature films that examine these connections in depth.
Films to spark your curiosity
- Art in the Age of Mass Culture (Documentary) – Step behind the scenes of MoMA’s groundbreaking 1990 exhibition High & Low to explore how consumerism, pop culture and avant-garde art collided.
Levitated Mass (Documentary) – Follow the 105-mile journey of a 340-ton boulder as visionary artist Michael Heizer brings one of America’s most monumental public artworks to life.- Art College 1994 (Drama) – In 1990s China a motley crew of art students fill their days with musings on aesthetics, philosophy and the elusive promise of the “good life” after graduation.
- This World Is Not My Own (Documentary) – Follow the extraordinary journey of Nellie Mae Rowe who transformed her home into a dazzling “Playhouse” and became an unexpected art-world icon.
My Art (Drama) – At a summer house in upstate New York a struggling artist and three locals recreate classic Hollywood films in quirky DIY videos that spark an unexpected creative journey.- The Cool School (Documentary) – An inside look at how a group of renegades built an art scene from scratch and the lessons learned along the way.
- Look Both Ways (Drama) – After a train accident a disaster-obsessed artist and an emotionally distant photojournalist find unexpected connection in this heartfelt romantic comedy.
Kanopy makes it easy to discover something new every month, whether you are exploring your creative side, learning more about your favorite artists or simply letting a film spark your imagination.
Getting started with Kanopy
Kanopy is the library’s newest streaming service, offering free access to award-winning films, thought-provoking documentaries, indie gems, and imaginative kids’ content. Simply create an account and log in with your library card to start exploring. You can watch via your web browser, the Kanopy mobile app (available in the App Store and Google Play), or on your Smart TV, Roku, or Fire Stick.
Each month, your account is loaded with 15 tickets to unlock stories, ideas and visual inspiration. The number of tickets required to watch varies by title and tickets reset on the first of every month.
