Education Programs

Scheduling and Planning Docent-Led Tours

Reservations are required for all group tours!

Make a museum your classroom by scheduling a school tour at the Museum of Art and Archaeology.

Curriculum Connections

School tours are designed to support the Missouri Grade-Level Expectations.

Working within the framework of the Fourth-Grade curriculum for Fine Arts and Social Studies, students participating in the Fourth-Grade Curricular Tour will view works that reflect a diversity of cultures, time, beliefs, and media. The Fourth-Grade Curricular Tour is designed in correlation with the Missouri Grade-Level Expectations.

Types of Tours

Preparing tours for school-age learners requires collaboration among the Associate Museum Educator, Docent, and Educator scheduling the tour. Working within the framework of the school curriculum for art, science, social studies, language arts, and more, students will view works that reflect a diversity of time, cultures, and beliefs. Tours may include pre- or post-visits to the classroom, activities in the classroom or museum, use of Hands–On boxes, and multi-visits to the museum. See Tour Descriptions for the types of tours available. See Tour Topic Ideas.
 

Group Size

Group size is determined by the need to maintain a proper teaching environment in the galleries. A minimum of ten persons is preferred for a docent-led tour; a maximum of 25 persons is recommended. (Preferred – no more than 20 Elementary children in each group, and 15 High School students in each group.) Groups larger than 25 will be assigned a second docent, and groups up to 60 require a third docent. The total number of students in the museum at any time is limited to ensure the best possible educational experience for everyone.

Chaperones

Adult chaperones are responsible for the students’ conduct and adherence to the rules for proper behavior in the Museum galleries. Chaperones must remain with their groups at all times. One adult chaperone for every ten students in grades 4 through 12 and one adult chaperone for every six students in grades 3 and under is required. Failure to adequately supervise your students may result in the group being asked to leave the Museum.

Nametags

Please have your group wear nametags, since engaging visitors in lively conversation is easier when docents can address them by name.

Tour Length

Guided tours are 30 minutes (ages 3-7) to one hour in length, unless otherwise noted.

Cancellations

To avoid cancellations, check your school’s calendar for test dates, holidays, report card pick-up days, special activities, etc., before scheduling your tour. If you must cancel a tour, call 573-882-3591 immediately so that Docents assigned and prepared for your tour may be informed.

Admission

Admission to the Museum of Art and Archaeology is free (with some exceptions for special events).

Entrance

The main entrance to the Museum of Art and Archaeology is on the west side of the building overlooking the Francis Quadrangle. You may also enter the Museum from the east entrance facing Ninth Street. See Visitor Information.

Parking

The Museum has limited parking at the east entrance, and spaces are reserved for handicap and volunteer parking only. Busses may park temporarily just south of the stop sign on Ninth Street outside the Museum. For more options for bus parking, call Bus Parking Information at 573-882-4568. There is metered parking outside the Museum on and near Ninth Street. For additional parking information, see Visitor Information: Parking.

Classroom Preparation

Prepare your students to look at and discuss works of art at the Museum. See Pre-visit Activities (in Word; in PDF) and Post-visit Activities (in Word; in PDF).

Museum Manners

Please remind your group of Museum Manners: walk through the galleries – and look in the direction you are walking; keep your voice low; keep your hands to yourself, since touching objects can damage them. Food and drink are not allowed in the upstairs galleries; photography of objects is limited and subject to the approval of the Museum staff.

Students with Disabilities

When making a reservation, please indicate your need for any specialized information or assistance for your students. The Museum is wheelchair accessible.

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