Events & Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program should I choose?
Call our Tour Coordinator to discuss your goals for a visit and what you are studying. She can recommend tours or outreach programs to suit your needs.
I don’t teach an art class; can my students still benefit from a visit?
Absolutely! Looking at and discussing works of art build skills applicable across the curriculum – observing, analyzing, writing, discussing.
I have students with special needs. Can they be accommodated?
We will make every effort to accommodate your students. Please alert the Tour Coordinator to any special needs when booking. When your docent calls, discuss any special needs again with him/her. Advance notice helps us better prepare and coordinate the program for your students.
What if my school can’t afford a field trip?
Subsidies may be available for schools with 50% Title I populations. Bus fee reimbursements may also be available. Ask the Tour Coordinator when you book your program. You also may consider booking a Speakers Bureau program at your site.
Which do I do first: book with you or get my buses?
Every school district is different. Most districts publish transportation blackout dates and have schedules of when buses must be available for dismissal or special events. Check these schedules before booking when possible. We do understand, however, that bus schedules change, and will do our best to accommodate you.
How do I prepare my students?
Simple discussions of where, why and how you are visiting go a long way. Convey guidelines for acceptable behavior. Have these same discussions with your chaperones; they are responsible for student behavior. Talk to our Tour Coordinator for more ideas and materials to help you prepare.
Is all the art in the Museum appropriate for children?
Like a public library, Phoenix Art Museum houses works that reflect a broad range of human experience and understanding. You are the best judge of what is appropriate for your students and school community. Some works or exhibitions explore concepts not easily grasped by younger students; we will let you know this. If you have other issues about which you are concerned, please tell us. We will be as sensitive to your needs as possible, but will not compromise an accurate presentation of works of art, time periods or cultures.
Are there lunch facilities?
The Museum has no lunchroom. If your students are bringing lunch/drinks, they must be left on the bus or in the entry lobby. Locations for outdoor lunch include the Museum’s Sculpture Garden; Margaret T. Hance Park (Deck Park) on Central Avenue just south of McDowell Road; and Encanto Park at 15th Avenue.
What is appropriate Museum Behavior?
Behavior that shows respect for the artworks and other visitors is encouraged. Stay with your group and walk calmly. Talk quietly together about what you are seeing. Respond to and ask questions of docents. Enjoy your opportunity to see the real thing, and help preserve it for others by resisting the temptation to touch it.
Can I exhibit the works of my art class at the Museum?
The Museum has a small Children’s Gallery in the Dustin D. Wolfswinkel Education Center to exhibit children’s works of art. Groups are booked on a monthly basis. For information, call (602) 307-2054.