School Tours

We seek to design visits that meet the needs of students of all abilities. Please share any special needs or accommodations you would like us to be aware of, including cognitive, mobility, visual, auditory, and language needs. When your Docent calls to touch base about your school tour, discuss any special needs with them. Advance notice will help us better prepare and adapt the tour for your students.

Subsidies may be available for schools in which 50% of students or greater qualify for Title I services. You also may consider booking a Classroom Outreach Presentation.

Children’s education programs at Phoenix Art Museum are made possible in part by The Discount Tire Endowment for Children’s Art Programs, William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs, and Carolyn Dunkin Schulte Educational Endowment Fund.

Every school district is different. Most districts publish transportation blackout dates and have schedules detailing when buses must be available for dismissal and special events. We suggest checking these schedules before booking whenever possible. We do understand bus schedules change, so we will do our best to accommodate changes upon request.

Scheduling a Meet Your Museum presentation for your classroom is a great way to prepare your students and chaperones for their visit to Phoenix Art Museum.

We showcase artworks at the Museum that reflect a broad range of human experiences. You are the best judge of what is appropriate for your students and school community. Some works or exhibitions explore concepts that may be difficult for younger students to engage with and understand, so we will work with you to decide which exhibitions will best fit the needs and goals of your students. If you have other concerns, please let us know. We will be as sensitive to your needs as possible but will not compromise an accurate presentation of artworks, time periods, or cultures. We are also able to send you resources for age-appropriate discussions upon request.

We will provide two free educator tickets for teachers interested in visiting the Museum to prepare for their visit. Please email booking@phxart.org before your visit and let us know what date and time you would like to tour the galleries.

Unfortunately, we do not have a lunchroom at the Museum. If your students are bringing lunch, they must be left on the bus or in the entrance lobby. On-site locations for outdoor lunch include the Dorrance Sculpture Garden. Off-site locations include Margaret T. Hance Park (Deck Park), on Central Avenue just south of McDowell Road, and Encanto Park, on 15th Avenue just south of Thomas Road.

All artwork in the Museum is a touch-free, hands-free experience, unless otherwise indicated. We want to preserve the art so that everyone in our community can enjoy it for years to come. For school groups, we ask that you stay with your group at all times and walk calmly through the galleries. Talking about the art is always encouraged, but please use indoor voices. If you are taking a Docent-led tour, we encourage you to engage with your Docent. They are incredibly knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Taking photos is allowed in accordance with our photo policy. We absolutely understand wanting to take a memory home with you, but please remember that taking photos may distract from listening to and participating in discussions about the art on view. Please exercise discretion during your visit to ensure a meaningful experience for your students and other Museum guests.