Schools
Denver Art Museum's programs address 2009 Colorado Academic Standards and 21st Century Skills for ECE, elementary, and secondary classrooms, and explore human creativity from the Stone Age to the present.
Get information about school field trips, scholarships and bus funding, student showcases, and virtual classroom courses.
Explore the Denver Art Museum Creativity Resource for Teachers Website, Teacher Workshops at the Museum and Online Teacher Webinars sections of the Schools & Teachers page to learn more.
Be among the first to hear about the newest opportunities for teacher. Sign up for our free Teacher Art Mail e-newsletter by selecting School & Teacher Programs. Teachers also can buy discounted museum memberships, with several benefits including receiving a bi-monthly member newsletter about everything happening at the museum.
School Field Trips
Take students on field trips to ignite curiosity through interaction. Two types of field trips meet the needs of students in grades K-12: guided and self-guided tours. Tours of temporary exhibitions also are available, and we offer Spanish language tours and scholarship and bus funding. Find answers to your questions about field trips on the School & Teacher FAQs.
All field trips must be booked at least three weeks in advance.
Guided Tours
Museum guides have access to a variety of hands-on materials. Each guide works with a small group and one chaperone from the school. Many guides are former teachers. When you enter the museum, staff will greet you and help organize your group. Prior to your visit a guide will call you to discuss details of the visit and any special needs you may have.
Introductory Tours
Students visit several parts of the museum to explore varied art works chosen to show the scope of the museum’s collections. Museum guides stimulate conversation and interactive exploration of art and provide information about the art. Introductory tours available for grades K-2, 3-6, and 6-12. All school tours address 2009 Colorado Academic Standards and 21st Century Skills.
Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.
To make a reservation, call 720-913-0130.
Imagination Games & Skills (Grades K–2)
Learn basic looking skills, what art museums do, and how to get along in an art museum—and have some fun along the way. Activities range from holding a sculpture's pose to using a spinner to identify colors in a painting.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 7-9 students /Divide class into groups of 7-9
- English, Spanish, or bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Language Arts, Science, Mathematics and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Perception Games & Skills (Grades 3–6)
This tour teaches basic looking skills, as well as how to get along in an art museum and have some fun along the way. Activities include questioning and discussion as the group ranges all over the museum.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- English, Spanish, or bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Language Arts, Science, Mathematics and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Collection Highlights (Grades 6–12)
See the collections in the Hamilton Building (modern, contemporary, African, Oceanic, and western American art), visit the North Building (European and American, historic Western American, Asian, pre-Columbian, and Spanish Colonial art), or choose a combination.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- English, Spanish, or bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Subject Tours
These in-depth interactive tours encourage students to examine objects and ideas from a single culture or art form. Museum guides lead students in activities including hands on activities, discussion, writing and small group collaborative work. Choose from the following subjects: Africa, American Indian, Japan, Maya, Mexico, or Architecture. All school tours address 2009 Colorado Academic Standards and 21st Century Skills.
Reservations for field trips must be made at least three weeks in advance. Call 720-913-0130.
African/Art/Works! (Grades 4–8)
This tour challenges students to think of African art as art with purpose. Through creative writing exercises, group games, and discussion, students ask and answer why and how African/Art/Works!
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Music, Dance and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
American Indian Art & Culture (Grades 1–6)
Students travel through the galleries to witness the huge variety in American Indian art. Through games, discussions and sketching, students discover how art can have both uses and meanings.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Social Studies, Visual Arts, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
The Art of Architecture (Grades 4–12)
Students explore one of Denver’s most exciting architectural landmarks. The museum’s Hamilton Building looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before! Learn how architects use shapes and spaces to help you see and experience things in new ways.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
The Art of Architecture Tour + Artmaking (Grades 3–8)
Students explore one of Denver’s most exciting architectural landmarks, and learn how architects use shapes and spaces to help you see and experience things in new ways.
Then they’ll discover how designing buildings can bring out the artist in everyone. They will create their own buildings using paper, pens, and tape.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am, two hours, 15 minutes
- $5.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Hands-On Japan (Grades K–3)
Explore the tea ceremony, ink painting, and samurai art. Do it by holding a sword, unwrapping your own tea bowl, smelling green powdered tea, and handling your own ink stick, stone, and brush. And see historic art of Japan.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Exploring Japan (Grades 4–8)
In age-appropriate, hands-on activities, students explore Japanese art related to three major topics—samurai warriors, the tea ceremony, and Japanese painting. Activities include handling a samurai sword, holding tea bowls, and using signature seals.
- Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Mexico: Ancient Maya, Spanish Colonial, & Southwest Colorado (Grades 4–8)
This interactive tour focuses on Mexican art objects from pre-Columbian times to the present. Students discover important themes in Mexican art and explore the meaning of symbols as they participate in lively hands-on activities.
- Tuesday-Thursday at 9:45 am & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- English, Spanish, or bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
The Ancient Maya (Grades 4–12)
Visit the fascinating world of the ancient Maya through touchable art objects that relate to the sculpture, pottery, and jade in the museum’s collection.
- Tuesday-Thursday at 9:45 & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- English, Spanish, or bilingual (Spanish/English)
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Science and 21st Century Skills. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Exhibition Tours
Once in a lifetime opportunities for students to visit special temporary exhibitions.
Reservations for field trips must be made at least three weeks in advance. Call 720-913-0130.
Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico: Architecture, Katsinam, and the Land (Grades 4–12)
Take a trip to the American Southwest through Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of New Mexico landscapes, architecture, and objects she collected from her surroundings. Discover how the region inspired the artist and how her modern painting style created a unique vision of her experiences.
- February 10–April 28, 2013
- Tuesday–Friday at 9:45 & 11 am, one hour
- $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/ One chaperone needed for every 10 students/ Divide class into groups of 10
- Addresses 2009 Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics. Specific standards (PDF)
- Reservations: 720-913-0130
Image credit: Georgia O’Keeffe, Ram's Head, Blue Morning Glory, 1938. Oil on canvas; 20 x 30 in. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum; Gift of The Burnett Foundation. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Self-Guided Tours
Self-guided visits allow teachers to create their own directions for students’ museum experiences. Teachers divide their classes into small, chaperone-led groups of maximum of 10 students. To help plan self-guided visits, you can find fresh ideas at Creativity Resource, the museum's online resource for teachers.
Reservations for field trips must be made at least one week in advance, depending on availability. Call 720-913-0130.
Scholarship & Bus Funding
The Denver Art Museum offers tour scholarships for school groups. We also have partial funding for bus transportation for schools in the SCFD (Scientific and Cultural Facilities District). Funds are limited and available on a first-come/first-serve basis and as needs are demonstrated. Funds are only available for schools with confirmed reservations.
Tour Fee Scholarship Form
Download the PDF, fill out and email it to the museum at mmarchetti@denverartmuseum.org. Instructions are on the form. You will be notified by email about your scholarship.
Field Trip Bus Funding
Download the PDF, fill out and email it to the museum at mmarchetti@denverartmuseum.org. Instructions are on the form. You will be notified by email about your bus funding.
Field Trip FAQs
Got questions about how to book a field trip? Not sure about where to park? Check out our School & Teacher FAQs on our FAQ page, and if you’re still wondering, contact the DAM by emailing mstanley@denverartmuseum.org.
Student Showcases
The DAM hosts showcases of student and teacher creativity through exhibitions, performances, poetry readings, and other events. Showcases can include language arts, visual arts or social studies displays along with celebratory preview events for school participants. The DAM is looking for star projects to feature in the museum and online at Creativity Resource. Interested? Email Ellen Spangler at espangler@denverartmuseum.org.
2013 Student Showcases
- Denver Public Schools 3-D Elementary, Middle and K-8 Art : Tuesday, February 5–Monday, February 18
- Colorado Scholastic Art Awards : Tuesday, March 5–Thursday, April 4
- Dutch Creek Elementary Art: Tuesday, April 16–Sunday, April 28
- Denver Public Schools Poetry Slam Final Competition : Friday, April 19
Virtual Classroom Courses
With videoconferencing equipment we can bring the museum and our staff to your K-12 classroom. We can customize a virtual classroom course that will challenge your students to think critically, solve problems, and generate new ideas. Technical requirement: must be able to connect through IP address with the museum’s Cisco Code C40 H.323 system. Many school districts have compatible systems, including Aurora and Jeffco. Get in touch with us to find out if your school district has a compatible system.
Want you and your students to be involved in the process of developing virtual classroom courses for the Denver Art Museum? If your school has videoconferencing equipment then you can help pilot the “Project-Based Museum Learning” courses listed below. Opportunities to pilot “Project-Based Museum Learning” courses are available February-May 2013. Starting fall 2013 these courses will available for a fee. To find out more information about how you can help us pilot these courses and to schedule a virtual classroom experience, contact Angela Houdyshell at ahoudyshell@denverartmuseum.org.
Project-Based Museum Learning: Spring 2013, Grades 1-12
2 part series
Part 1: Discover what it takes to work at the Denver Art Museum. Museum staff will challenge students to explore a real-world museum problem. During the virtual course staff will guide students through the problem solving process to prepare students for the challenge. Students will work after the course to solve the proposed challenge at a pace dictated by their teacher. Challenges will encourage students to use essential 21st Century Skills – collaboration, critical thinking, invention, and self-direction.
Part 2 (optional): Schedule a follow-up virtual session with the museum. Students will share their solutions and ideas with museum staff and receive constructive feedback.
How Do Artists Solve Problems?
Fall 2012 and Spring 2013
Challenge your students to solve problems in exciting new ways. Students will listen to artists reveal how they approach problems and then will be challenged to apply what they learn to their own experiences. Your classroom will be buzzing with fresh ideas! Be prepared for class discussion and hands-on activities that require minimal supplies that can be gathered from your school’s supply closet. Activities will encourage students to use essential 21st Century Skills – collaboration, critical thinking, invention, and self-direction.
Grades K-5: Collaborate to Create
Teamwork is not only valued in the classroom but also in the arts. Discover why artists must listen to others’ ideas, opinions, and solutions in order to meet a common goal, creation of amazing works of art. Students will try working individually to solve a unique problem and then work collaboratively with classmates to learn how working together can be the key to success!
To schedule a virtual course go to CILC.org and search for Denver Art Museum in Content Provider Programs, $100 per course.
2009 Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
Visual Arts:
- Observe and Learn to Comprehend
- Envision and Critique to Reflect
- Invent and Discover to Create
- Relate and Connect to Transfer
Reading, Writing, and Communicating:
- Oral Expression and listening
- Research and Reasoning
Social Studies: History:
- Become familiar with United States family and cultural traditions of the past and present
21st Century Skills addressed: Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Reasoning, Invention, Self-Direction
Grades 3-8: Overcome Creative Blocks
How do artists come up with ideas? Listen to artists share where they look for inspiration and how they collect ideas to ensure they don’t succumb to a creative block. Students will explore various methods artists use to collect ideas and then will practice these methods. Success will be measured by a significant decrease in excuses of “I don’t know what to write/draw!”
To schedule a virtual course go to CILC.org and search for Denver Art Museum in Content Provider Programs, $100 per course.
2009 Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
Visual Arts:
- Observe and Learn to Comprehend
- Envision and Critique to Reflect
- Invent and Discover to Create
- Relate and Connect to Transfer
Reading, Writing, and Communicating:
- Oral Expression and listening
- Research and Reasoning
21st Century Skills addressed: Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Reasoning, Invention, Self-Direction
Grades 9-12: Creativity Takes Courage
With so many influences and sources of inspiration around us it is essential that artists stay focused and committed to the creative choices they make. Discover how artists build courage to explore new possibilities, gain confidence to stay committed to the creative process, and achieve the personal goals they set along the way. Students will set personal goals and put plans in action for achieving these goals.
To schedule a virtual course go to CILC.org and search for Denver Art Museum in Content Provider Programs, $100 per course.
2009 Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
Visual Arts:
- Observe and Learn to Comprehend
- Envision and Critique to Reflect
- Invent and Discover to Create
- Relate and Connect to Transfer
Reading, Writing, and Communicating:
- Oral Expression and listening
- Research and Reasoning
21st Century Skills addressed: Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Reasoning, Invention, Self-Direction
Support for DAM School & Teacher Programs: School programs are supported by the William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education Programs, the Nancy Benson Education Endowment Fund, CenturyLink Endowment, Jim Kelley and Amie Knox Education Endowment Fund, the Morgridge Family Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).