School Programs and Tours
Visit the Museum with Your Class!
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›› Available Tour Programs |
Available Programs
Learning to Look - 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)
Art Tells a Story - Explore the museum through student-centered, interactive discussions led by experienced docents. Students will share their observations and interpretations on this tour that emphasizes close looking, conversation, personal response, and critical thinking. (Grade 3 and older)
Meta Warrick Fuller Program - Find inspiration in the life and work of a Harlem Renaissance artist! Meta Warrick Fuller was an African-American sculptor who lived the majority of her life in Framingham, Massachusetts. Students will learn about her independent spirit and perseverance, how she was inspired by her studies in Paris and her family, and how she influenced future generations of artists. Incorporating music and movement, experienced docents will lead interactive discussions of the artist’s sculptures. (Grade 3 and older)
Click here to download the Meta Warrick Fuller Program - Educator Resources packet [PDF - 5.5 MB]. This packet Includes a child-friendly biography of the artist, with translations in Spanish and Portuguese. Ask students to read these as preparation for their field trip. It also contains various classroom lessons, activities and materials (keyed to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks), as well as an extensive bibliography. Click here to download the Meta Warrick Fuller - Planning for Your Visit packet [PDF - 3.8 MB] This packet contains information relevant to the school’s field trip to the Danforth Museum and School of Art, including the program’s curriculum connections, new words to learn before the trip, and a planning checklist.
Parrot Kachina
Native American Program - This program explores the relationships between art, culture, geographic location and natural resources. Students will compare the climate and natural resources of the Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast, considering each region’s natural resources and their influence on Native American crafts. Students will also visualize a Hopi Katsina ceremony, and see artwork by contemporary Native American artist, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith. (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 - 6.2 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 invited into the museum to participate in an interactive tour of American Art. The Language of Art gives participants a new set of vocabulary words and welcomes them to a new 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 and School 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 Museum 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.
Reservations and Tour Fees
Reservations: Reservations are necessary for all tours and programs. Tours must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.
To schedule your tour download and fill out a Tour Registration Form and send to Kendra Keefer-McGee, Museum Education Coordinator, at KKeefer-McGee@danforthmuseum.org. For questions or more information call 508.620.0050 x 23.
» Download Tour Registration Form [PDF]
Let us know if your group has any special needs at the time of your reservation. We can accommodate up to 60 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.
| Fees Per student | |
| Tour: | $6/Student |
| Tour and Studio Art Workshop: | $11/Student |
| Tour and Clay Studio Art Workshop: | $13/Student |
| Teachers and Chaperones: | Complementary Admission with school groups |
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: applications typically close at the end of September) |
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 pay the museum admission for self-guided tours. 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.
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. Please be aware of new, stricter Framingham on-street parking regulations.
Accessibility: Please inform the Museum 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! | ||
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