Walker School Program - Self-Guided School Tours

Choose your own adventure and go at your own pace! Self-guided museum tours are a flexible way for you to take your students to learn at Crystal Bridges. You can come at your own convenience, schedule your day as you need to, and still receive reimbursement for bus and substitute teacher costs as with guided tours.

Your arrival and departure depend only upon your schedule—if early arrival works best, come early before the museum opens to enjoy the sculpture trails. If you need to arrive later in the day, you can stay as long as you like within museum hours. The only differences between this tour and the Guided School Tours are that your group will be responsible for their own lunches and will not be led by our Museum Educators. Please join us at Crystal Bridges for a day that you create for yourselves!

Browse our catalog of preset and custom tour options offered throughout the year.

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How early should we book a self-guided tour?


• We encourage you to schedule your school tour visit as early as possible. Self-guided tours should be booked at least two weeks in advance. Slots fill quickly.

Are private schools and charter schools eligible for reimbursements?


• Yes! Any K-12 group, of any state, is eligible for the funding. Please, complete and submit the reimbursement form. Organizations associated with the school, such as an art club, also qualify. Community groups such as scouts do not qualify.

During what hours may groups take self-guided tours?


• Self-guided tour groups may be in the museum during public hours: 11 am to 6 pm weekdays (except Tuesdays when the museum is closed). Pre-opening tours are for guided groups only. If you arrive before the galleries open you are welcome to explore our trails and outdoor sculptures, or wait in the lobby.

What accommodations can I request for special needs?


• We welcome all school groups, including students with disabilities, English language learners, and alternative learning students. Some accommodations available include EnChroma glasses, multisensory tours, braille labels, Spanish translations, assisted listening devices, and ASL interpretation. Please let us know about any accommodation requests at least one week prior to your visit. Additional accommodations can be made upon request.

Need additional assistance? Please reach out to School.Programs@CrystalBridges.org.

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