art & culture tours

The museum is full of treasures from around the world. Choose from Africa, American Indian, European and American Art, Japan, or Maya/Mexico artworks. Learn more about a specific culture or the architecture of our buildings in a collection spotlight tour. Collection spotlight tours are one hour long.

Cost is $3.50 per student; free for teachers and adult chaperones.

Mexico tours are available in your choice of English, Spanish, or bilingual (English/Spanish).

Africa: Grades 4–8

African/Art/Works!

7–30 students (depending on day)

Tuesday–Friday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

This tour challenges students to think of African art as art with purpose. Through creative writing exercises, group games and discussion, students ask and answer why and how African/Art/Works!

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 4, 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; Geography 2, 5, 6; History 6; Music 5; Dance 4, 6; Science 3, 5

Mexico: Grades 4–8

Mexico: Old & New

7–30 students (depending on day)

Tuesday–Thursday at at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

This interactive tour focuses on Mexican art objects from pre-Columbian times to the present. Students discover important themes in Mexican art and explore the meaning of symbols as they participate in lively hands-on activities.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 2, 4, 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; History 1, 3, 6; Geography 2, 6; Math 1, 3, 5; Science 1

Mexico: Grades 4–12

The Ancient Maya of Mexico

7–30 students (depending on day)

Tuesday–Thursday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

Students visit the fascinating world of the ancient Maya through touchable art objects that relate to the sculpture, pottery, and jade in the museum’s collection.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 2, 4; 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; History 1, 3, 6; Geography 2, 6; Math 1, 3, 5; Science 1

Japan: Grades K–8

Exploring Japan

7–30 students (depending on day)

Tuesday & Thursday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

In age-appropriate, hands-on activities, students explore Japanese art related to three major topics—samurai warriors, the tea ceremony, and Japanese painting. Activities include handling a samurai sword, holding tea brushes, and using signature seals.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 2, 4, 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; Geography 4, 6; History 3, 6; Math 3, 5; Science 1

American Indian: Grades 1–3

American Indian Feathers, Shells & Beads

7–50 students (depending on day)

Wednesday & Thursday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

In this tour, students explore the American Indian art gallery and learn how various artists use feathers, shells, beads, and other decorative items like porcupine quills to creatively express their individual and cultural beliefs.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 2, 4, 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; History 3, 6; Geography 2, 6; Math 3, 5; Economics 3; Science 1

American Indian: Grades 4–8

American Indian Personal Adornment

7–50 students (depending on day)

Wednesday & Thursday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

Many American Indian artists find inspiration in animals and elements of nature. Students explore the many ways they creatively integrate these motifs into their artwork and learn the meaning of specific designs in this fun tour.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 2, 4, 5; Reading/Writing 2, 4; History 3, 6; Geography 2, 6; Math 3, 5; Economics 3; Science 1

European & American: Grades 4–12

European & American Art Collection

7–45 students (depending on day)

Tuesday–Thursday at 9:45 am, 11 am & noon

Visit our European and American art galleries to see the world through the eyes of artists from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.

CMCS: Visual Arts 1, 4, 5; Reading & Writing 2, 4; Geography 6; Math 3, 5; Science 1