School Programs and Tours
Visit the Museum with Your Class!
Danforth Museum tours are interactive and fun. Experienced and enthusiastic Danforth Docents will meet your group at the Museum entrance and facilitate your visit, with attention given to the special needs of your group. Art activities are available to complement any tour.
Tours must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance. Most tours last one hour; tours with art activities last 2 hours. Please call the Education Department at 508.620.0050 x23 to schedule your program or for additional information about programs or art activities for your classes.
Available Programs
Art Tells a Story - This program is a wonderful way to introduce children to the museum! This fast-moving, interactive tour explores a variety of art using games, movement, story-telling, and a hands-on art project. Children will see a selection of accessible art in the museum galleries, as well as original book illustrations in the Children’s Illustration Gallery. (Pre-School to Grade 2)
Parrot Kachina
Native American Collection - This program explores relationships that exist between art, culture, geographic location and natural resources. Students will see a bowl made by Maria Martinez, a Towa storyteller, a collection of Hopi Katsina dolls, a Northwest coast mask, and Inuit clothing. (For Grades 2 - 5. This tour can be modified to accommodate other age groups.)
Click here to download the Native American Art Program - Packet for Educators [PDF - 5.5 MB]. This packet introduces educators to the Museum's exhibits of Native American art and the Native American Art Program. We aim to prepare you for your Museum visit and provide resources for use in your classroom. We hope you will adapt the information provided in this packet for your curricular needs, and inform us of its value and effectiveness.
The Language of Art - ESL classes are welcomed into the museum to participate in an interactive tour of American Art. The Language of Art gives participants a new set of vocabulary words while helping them feel comfortable in what could be a very intimidating place. Teachers will receive pre-visit information to help prepare for the visit and classes are able to spend additional time in the museum for writing and conversation after the visit. Please call if you would like to collaborate in creating a special program for your students.
Museum Highlights - The Danforth Museum of Art offers a series of exciting changing exhibitions each year. This tour will focus on the highlights of exhibitions currently on view, and can be adapted to meet your group's special interests. (All grade levels)
Self-Guided Visits - Teachers are encouraged to schedule self-guided visits for their classes during public hours. Please schedule all group visits with the Education Coordinator.
Add More to Your Visit
Art Activities: Art activities are available to complement all tour programs with hands-on creative experiences. Tours with art activities last two hours.
Art-on-the-Move: Teachers may borrow suitcases filled with art objects and curriculum ideas. Free for institutions with Education Memberships or $30 per two week rental. More information about available Art-on-the-Move kits is available here.
Please call the Education Department at 508.620.0050 x23 to schedule your program or for additional information about programs or art activities for your classes.
Reservations and Tour Fees
Reservations: Reservations are necessary for all tours and programs. Please make your reservations at least three weeks in advance. Call the Danforth Museum of Art Education Department at 508.620.0050 x23, or email jbrucker @ danforthmuseum.org. At the time of your reservation, please let us know if your group has any special needs. We can accommodate up to 72 children at one time for a tour with an art activity, and up to 45 children for a tour only.
Tour Hours: Groups can visit between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Tours are one hour long. Tours with art activities take 2 hours. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.
Program Fees: Tours are free with Education Memberships. Find out more about Education Memberships.
| Fees per student | |
| Non-member Institutions | Member Institutions |
| Tours: $6 | Tours: FREE |
| Tour and art activity: $135 for groups up to ten; $10 per each additional student |
Tour and art activity: $125 for groups up to ten; $7 per each additional student |
| Note: There is a $1 surcharge per student if clay is used. | |
Lunch: No lunch facilities are available at the Danforth Museum.
Field Trip Grants
The following organizations provide grants for field trips. Click on the name of the organization to be taken to their web site.
| ›› Massachusetts Cultural Council, Big Yellow School Bus ›› Your Local Cultural Council ›› Target Field Trip Grants (Note: 2009-2010 applications are closed) |
Before You Visit
Chaperones: We require one adult chaperone for each 10 children. Chaperones help to make your museum visit a success. We ask that you give chaperones a copy of the museum rules and enlist their aid in helping the children as needed during the program. Chaperones must pay the museum admission for self-guided tours only. Chaperones on guided tours are admitted free of cost.
Name tags: Please have all students wear name tags. Being able to call on a student by his or her name creates a more personal experience for your students.
Museum Rules: Please download a copy of our museum rules to distribute to all accompanying teachers and chaperones. Group Visit Guidelines PDF - coming soon.
On the Day of Your Visit
Arrive early: Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to provide sufficient time for restroom visits and group organization. Please use the main entrance on Union Avenue, where a Danforth Museum Docent will meet you.
Payment: Bring full payment (cash, check, or credit card) to cover the cost of the total number of group members present on the tour day. Payments for your visit should be made at the front desk in the lobby of the Museum.
Parking: Buses may park on local roads around the museum during the visit. Please make arrangements with the bus driver to meet you at the front entrance after your tour. There is a parking lot for cars.
Accessibility: Please inform the Education Coordinator when making reservations if you will need to use the handicapped access entrance and elevator. This entrance is located on the south side of the building in the parking lot off Pearl Street and has a red door.
Cancellations or Late Arrivals: If you anticipate delay or need to cancel your scheduled program, please contact the Education Department at 508.620.0050, x23. Please allow 48 hours for cancellation. The Museum will be closed if Framingham Public Schools are closed due to weather conditions.
Photography: No photography is allowed in the Museum during tour programs.
Museum Rules: Please remind students of museum rules, and request that chaperones help the children obey the rules. Thank you for helping us protect the art for future generations!
| DO NOT | ||
| Do not touch works of art. | ||
| Do not use pens or markers - only use pencils if you need to write during your visit. | ||
| Do not point at works of art with pencils, fingers or other objects. | ||
| Do not lean on walls, paintings or display cases. | ||
| Do not eat or drink or chew gum. | ||
| Do not run. | ||
| Do not take photographs or video-tape while in the Museum | ||
| DO | ||
| Ask questions. | ||
| Look, and then LOOK again! You will see new things every time you look carefully at art. | ||
| Enjoy! | ||
Education and Library Memberships
Education Memberships are available for schools or school systems and are based on enrollment numbers. For more information, please call 508.620.0050 x 23.
| Fees for Education Membership | |
| Fewer than 1,000 students: | $200 |
| 1,000 - 3,499 students: | $300 |
| 3,500 - 6,999 students | $550 |
| 7,000 students and up: | $750 |
| Education Membership Benefits |
| Free tours of the collection or special exhibitions |
| Free Native American art tours |
| Use of Art-on-the-Move curriculum kits |
| Free admission card for faculty use |
Library memberships provide two reusable family passes for use for one year. Please call for information.
Other Activities of Interest to Educators
As an educator, you may also be interested in these pages.
›› Art-on-the-Move Kits
›› Events Especially for Educators
›› Professional Development for Teachers
›› Receive Professional Development Updates via the Newsletter
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