A single visit to an art museum has positive learning outcomes and lifelong impact for kids. We welcome class visits and work with teachers to design an experience to meet your curricular goals, while engaging and inspiring your students.

Our docents facilitate your visit through inquiry-based touring pedagogies such as Visual Thinking Strategies, close looking, visual literacy, and activities to promote a greater understanding of art. Tours encourage students to explore and imagine, while fostering creative and critical thinking about diverse cultures and time periods. Our interactive tours focus on your students’ own discoveries and interpretations of works of art.

A recent study found that facilitated visits to an art museum yield significant educational benefits:

• Questioning: As students analyze a work of art together, they formulate questions, practice communication, and engage in critical thinking to collaboratively understand works of art.
• Multiple interpretations: As docents facilitate a class visit, students practice listening to and understanding from multiple viewpoints. Students realize questions may have more than one answer and learn to respect alternative perspectives.
• Physicality of art: The act of seeing original works of art in the context of our 1917 Beaux Arts-designed museum inspires awe and imagination as students’ senses are engaged.
• Emotive recall: As the senses are engaged, so are emotions. The experience of looking closely at art, in person, stimulates students’ ability to describe with more detail and promotes deeper levels of interpretation.

Guided tours meet Ohio's Learning Standards in the visual arts, history, culture, social studies, creative expression, and communication. Participation in tours also develops skills in visual literacy, critical thinking, analysis, evidentiary reasoning, and making connections. The practice of looking at art cultivates an appreciation for healthier living.

How to Schedule a Tour

• A minimum of two weeks advance notice is required to schedule a tour and is based upon availability.
• Due to staffing limitations, guided tours are offered only for groups of 10 or more. Groups with under 10 people may schedule a self-guided tour by contacting the Education Department.
• Tours are usually 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the age group.
• There is no charge for tours.
• Please note that tours that do not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time may be subject to cancellation.
• If you have questions, please contact the Education Department.

Large groups will be divided into smaller groups of 12 to 15, with one docent each. Unfortunately, at this time, no indoor facilities are available for meals. Prior to your visit, please review our museum policies with your class or group. We look forward to your visit!

K–12 Educational Tour Request