Walker School Tour Program

What is a museum? Let us introduce your students to what you can find in a museum. Through hands-on activities, conversations, movement, storytelling, and sensory experiences, students will interact with a variety of artworks to build an appreciation for art and self-expression while supporting classroom learning.

What elements make three-dimensional art different from two-dimensional art? Centered around visual art appreciation, this tour, creates a platform for collaborative thinking for students to perceive and analyze sculptural works. Ranging from classical to contemporary artworks, “In the Round” is tailored for students with a passion for creativity and a curious eye for artistic expression. It generates an immersive experience where every piece tells a story.

What do authors, playwrights, and artists have in common? They are all storytellers. While authors and playwrights use words, artists use visual clues. By learning to “read” a work of art you can gain understanding of the characters, setting, and plot just as you would from a book or play. You might even be inspired to create your own story!

Throughout history, artists and scientists have shared a passion for discovery and innovation. By utilizing close observation and the scientific method, students will explore the connections between art and science, growing their deductive reasoning skills and expanding their understanding of how knowledge is applied in the real world.

Math is all around us, from patterns in nature to measurements for cooking. Math can also be found in artworks. Some artists intentionally utilize math as a key component of their work. Common math themes in our collection include scale, perspective, angles, geometry, and prisms. By investigating and discussing these themes, we can learn to look at art and math in new ways.

How do artworks tell the stories of the United States and its people? We are a diverse people, having come here from many places around the world for many different reasons over time. Each of us has a unique story to tell about our families, their histories, and lives. This tour takes students through American history via artworks that help to tell the complex and fascinating story of the mosaic that is life in the United States.

All citizens of the United States have a responsibility to understand the rights and privileges that come with that status. Art is a great catalyst to spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and elevate conversations around our civil rights and responsibilities, national history, and the impact of national expansion. As an American art museum, our collection is especially helpful when exploring the value of individual voices in a democracy, the founding of our country, and key historical events.

Enhance your classroom’s exploration of literature by seamlessly integrating visual art into the world of books. Tailored to suit the specific book your class is currently reading, Museum Educators will curate a unique tour that reflects the themes, characters, and plot of any literary masterpiece. Elevate your classroom experience and create a lasting impact on your students’ understanding of literature.

Literature Tours at the museum can be based on any book, play, or story you choose. Examples of past Literature Tours include tours based on Homer’s Odyssey, To Kill a Mockingbird, the musical Hamilton, Slaughterhouse 5, Romeo and Juliet, and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Art is made from a variety of materials, processes, and techniques. Some are very recognizable, such as painting and drawing, and some we might not be as familiar with. Every artist, whether formally trained or self-taught, must work through the benefits and challenges of each material and technique to find which one gives them the desired effect. Learning and understanding each process might inspire you to create your own masterpiece.

Embark on an exploration of the past, present, and future perspectives of Black artists who harness the transformative power of art to highlight inequities, celebrate triumphs, and foster awareness and empathy for the resilience and the diverse narratives that are the Black experience.

Women’s voices are a catalyst for change in art and society. They have been crucial in artistic innovation, creating unique styles and processes that have shaped the art world. By examining and analyzing these artists and their works, we can start to understand how they confronted and influenced various social and political issues through their art.

Embark on a vibrant journey through the rich tapestry of Hispanic heritage with artists such as Alfredo Ramos Martinez, Carmen Herrera and Gabriel Dawe. These artists seamlessly blend traditional techniques with contemporary influences to explore the convergence of culture, identity, and perseverance.

Explore Native American art that is centered on storytelling and challenges the stereotypical expectations of Indigenous art. Crystal Bridges celebrates artistic excellence and cultural diversity in American art. The many different stories told through Native American art create an understanding of the many voices asking to be heard. Hear the stories through their art and acknowledge the Native American place in the American landscape of art.