Through the Denver Art Museum teachers can explore fresh ideas that enable them to inspire their students to be more creative and develop critical thinking skills. The museum’s world class collections offer vivid and often surprising evidence of cultures from a distant past as well as examples of human creativity from the Stone Age to the present. Find teacher workshops, school field trips, student showcases and online resources that capture the element of wonder and surprise represented in human creativity.

Field Trips

Join 40,000 students and teachers each year on field trips that ignite student curiosity, build critical thinking skills and create experiences that are challenging, interactive and collaborative.  The museum offers two types of field trips to meet the needs of students in grades K-12: guided and self-guided tours.  Guided tours by museum-trained guides include introductory museum, subject focus, and traveling exhibitions tours.  Self-guided tours are planned and chaperoned in the museum by school staff and parents.  We also offer Spanish language tours and scholarships and bus funding.

The museum has limited scholarship funding for 2011-2012 school year for both tour fees and bus transportation for K-12 school groups coming for guided and self-guided visits to the museum.  Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first served basis to schools demonstrating need.

All field trips must be booked at least three weeks in advance.  To make reservations, call 720-913-0130.

Guided Tours

On guided tours school groups are divided into small work groups and introduced to their museum guide. Museum guides are specially trained and have access to a variety of teaching tools and hands on materials for use on tours. Each guide takes one small group (about 10 students) through the museum and is accompanied by one chaperone from the school.  Many guides are former teachers. When you enter the museum, staff will greet your group and assist you to divide them up and started off with their guide. 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 work with small groups of students to stimulate conversation and interactive exploration of art and provide information about the art. Introductory tours available for grades K-2, 3-6, 7-12. All school tours address Colorado Model Content Standards (CMCS) and 21st Century Learning Skills.

Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance. 

To make a reservation, call 720-913-0130.

About one week before your scheduled guided tour, a museum guide will call you to confirm all details.  

Imagination Games & Skills

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.

• Grades K-2
• 7-120 students
• 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)
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,4,5; Reading
• Writing 2,4; Geography 6; Science 1; Math 3,5

Perception Games & Skills

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.

• Grades 3-5
• 7-120 students
• 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)
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 6; Science 1; Math 3,5

Collection Highlights

See the collections in the Hamilton Building (modern, contemporary, African, Oceanic, and western American art), visit the North Building (European and American, Asian, pre-Columbian, and Spanish Colonial art), or choose a combination.

• Grades 6-12
• 7-120 studentsTuesday-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)
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 6; Science 1; Math 3,5

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 Colorado Model Content Standards (CMCS) and 21st Century Learning Skills. Reservations for field trips must be made at least three weeks in advance.  To make a reservation, call 720-913-0130. About one week before your scheduled guided tour, a museum guide will call you to confirm all details.

African Art

African/Art/Works!

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!

• Grades 4-8
• 7-36 students
• 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
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 2,5,6; History 6;  Music 5; Dance 4,6; Science 3,5

American Indian Art

American Indian Art & Culture

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.

• Grades 1-6
• 7-60 students
• 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
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2, 4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 2,6; History 1,3,6; Science 1; Math 1,3,5

Architecture

 

The Art of Architecture

Students explore one of Denver’s newest and most exciting buildings. The museum’s Hamilton Building looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before! Learn how architects use shapes and spaces to make you feel and see new things.

• Grades 4-12
• 7-60 students
• 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
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 6; Science 1; Math 3,5

The Art of Architecture Tour + Artmaking

Students explore one of Denver’s newest buildings, the DAM’s Hamilton Building, and learn how architects use shapes and spaces to make you see and feel new things. Then they'll discover how buildings can be art by creating their own building using paper, pens, and tape.

• Grades 3-8
• 15-60 students
• 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 10CMCS: Vis Arts 1,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 6; Science 1; Math 3,5

Japan

Hands-On Japan

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. Very interactive!

• Grades K-3
• 7-36 students
• 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
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,3,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 4,6; Science 1; Math 3,5; History 3,6                                                                                                                             

Exploring Japan

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.

• Grades 4-8
• 7-36 students
• 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
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,3,4,5; Reading
• Writing 2,4; Geography 4,6; Science 1; Math 3,5; History 3,6

Mayan & Mexican

Mayan & Mexican Art

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.

• Grades 4-8
• 7-36 students
• 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)
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 2,6; Science 1; Math 3,5; History 1,3,6

The Ancient Maya

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.

• Grades 4-12
• 7-36 students
• 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)
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,2,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; Geography 2,6; Science 1; Math 3,5; History 1,3,6

Spanish Language Tours

Some guided tours are available bilingually or entirely in Spanish by our Spanish Language Guides.  When booking, just ask the Reservation Associate for tours available in Spanish.

Traveling Exhibition Tours

Once in a lifetime opportunities for students to visit special travelling exhibitions.  Choose from our fall through spring exhibitions including a photography exhibition, exhibitions about China in the 19th and 20th centuries, an exhibition of the famous symbolic pins worn by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Museum guides work with small groups to explore the exhibitions. Reservations for field trips must be made at least three weeks in advance.  To make a reservation, call 720-913-0130. About one week before your scheduled guided tour, a museum guide will call the lead teacher to confirm all details.

Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection

• April 15-June 15, 2012
• Grades 4-12
• 7-45 students
• Tuesday-Friday at 9:45 am & 11 am/As ambassador to the United Nations and then as secretary of state, Madeleine Albright let her jewelry do the talking, and sent subtle messages with the pins she wore. Explore the power of symbolism in diplomacy through the stories told by more than 200 of Albright’s pins.
• One hour
• $3.50 per student; free for chaperones/One chaperone needed for every 10 students
• Divide class into groups of 10
• CMCS: Vis Arts 1,4,5; Reading/Writing 2,4; History 3,5,6

Check out the Read My Pins Teacher Resource Packet for great classroom ideas! Thanks to the Museum of Art and Design for sharing this resource.

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.  Some travelling exhibitions are also available for self-guided groups. To help plan self-guided visits, you can find fresh ideas at Creativity Resource, the museum's online resource for teachers.

Reservations for self-guided visits must be made at least three weeks in advance.  To make a reservation, call 720-913-0130. Prior to your field trip a museum staff person will call you to confirm all details.

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, fill out and send back the form to the museum to mstanley@denverartmuseum.org.  Instructions are on the form.  You will be notified by email about your scholarship.

Field Trip Bus Funding

Download, fill out and send back the form to the museum to mstanley@denverartmuseum.org.  The 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.

School 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.

Online Resources

With just a click of your mouse, find thousands of ideas and activities that will bring the Denver Art Museum to your students and into your classrooms.    

Denver Art Museum Creativity Resource for Teachers Website

With the world-class Denver Art Museum collection to share, adaptable lessons plans designed by teachers for teachers, resources about museum careers and curriculum, educator blogs, and school showcases, Creativity Resource offers a rich and trustworthy source of tools that both inspire teachers and make it easy for them to meet educational standards in creative ways.

Go to creativity.denverartmuseum.org.

Wacky Kids

This website features do it yourself projects that teachers can print out for students and information about art works written for an elementary reading level. The emphasis is on art works from several different cultures: ancient Egypt, samurai Japan, imperial China, modern chair design, ancient Maya and Northwest Coast Indians.

Go to wackykids.denverartmuseum.org.

Virtual Classroom Courses

Want the Denver Art Museum to come to your classroom? With videoconferencing equipment we can bring the museum to your K-12 classroom. We can customize a virtual classroom course with art in our collection on topics such as “How Do Artists Solve Problems?,” “Explore the Possibilities of Careers in Art Museums,” and “Creating Real World Projects with the Museum in Mind.” Meet museum staff members and interact with them. 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. Please contact Angela Houdyshell at ahoudyshell@denverartmuseum.org or 720-913-0068 at least a month in advance to schedule a virtual classroom experience.

Professional Development

Inspiration is the essence of our teacher workshops at the museum, webinars online, videoconferencing and custom in-service workshops. The museum’s world-class collection can inspire both teachers and their students to look for new ways of learning and experiencing the global cultures and human creativity.

We explore artists’ experiences to find new ways of problem solving. We celebrate the wide range of cultures that have existed in the past and in the present. And we share practical ways to bring all this into ECE, elementary, and secondary classrooms. All teacher professional development features 21st century Learning and Colorado State Standards.

Want to be among the first to hear about the newest opportunities for teachers?  Sign up for our Art Mail for Teachers e-newsletter (select School & Teacher Programs).  Teachers can also buy discounted museum memberships and get a bi-monthly member newsletter about everything happening at the museum and other benefits.

Teacher Workshops at the Museum

Come to the DAM for a unique experience of global cultures and creativity. Our workshops focus on critical thinking and problem-solving, 21st Century Skills and cultural awareness, and are tied to the Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Graduate credit from Adams State College is available at an extra cost, and teachers will also receive a letter documenting their contact hours that they can submit to the Colorado Department of Education or their districts.

To register, call 720-913-0130, or register online. For early announcements of teacher workshops sign up for the Art Mail for Teachers e-newsletter (select School & Teacher Programs).

Custom Inservice Workshops On Site and Online

Schedule a unique experience for you and your fellow teachers to get CDE relicensure credit, or salary advancement credit (depending on your district). We'll customize a program, which could include gallery and exhibition tours, teaching demos, discussion, workshops, and our Creativity Resource website. Topics could include world cultures, creativity, problem-solving skills, creative writing, museum careers, and more. Programs can happen at the museum or via videoconferencing.

• 10-60 teachers
• Available at any time
• Length varies
• $7 per teacher
• To plan a custom workshop, e-mail Ellen Spangler at espangler@denverartmuseum.org.

Webinars

Join fellow teachers online for a learning opportunity that registrants can attend from any computer with internet access. Attend as a group or an individual at school or from home.

Webinars bring in experts for a 60-90 minute presentation that includes text, photographs, and videos as well as Q&A sessions and interactive components in the form of chat features and polls. Classroom resources are incorporated into webinars so that teachers can easily take ideas back to their classrooms. Webinars are inspired by the museum’s art and integrated with 21st century skills and Colorado academic standards.

Graduate credit is sometimes offered for webinars and upon request teachers will receive an electronic letter documenting participation in webinars that they can submit to the Colorado Department of Education or their districts.

The teacher webinar schedule for spring 2012 include How Do Artists Solve Problems? and Poetry and Art.

What do you need to know when registering and attending webinars?

• To register, call 720-913-0130, or register online.

• To be notified when new webinars are announced, sign up for our Art Mail for Teachers e-newsletter (select School & Teacher Programs).

• Valid email address is required

• Confirmation email for phone and online registrants will provide all information for accessing live webinar sessions

• Instructions for a recommended technical check are included in the confirmation email/Internet access, computer speakers or headphones, and Adobe Flash Player, that can be downloaded for free, are required for attending a webinar.

Videoconferencing Online

Have you considered the option of visiting the Denver Art Museum from your school or classroom? With museum videoconferencing equipment we can bring the museum to you. We can customize a professional development experience with art in our collection on topics such as “How Do Artists Solve Problems?”  and “Explore the Possibilities of Careers in Art Museums.” 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. Please contact Angela Houdyshell at ahoudyshell@denverartmuseum.org or 720-913-0068 at least a month in advance to schedule a professional development videoconference session.

School & Teacher Support

School and Teacher programs are supported by the William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education Programs, the Nancy Benson Education Endowment Fund, the Qwest Foundation Endowment, the Jim Kelley and Amie Knox Education Endowment Fund, and the Citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Significant additional support is provided by the Morgridge Family Foundation, The Virginia Hill Charitable Foundation, The Japan Foundation, and Colorado Creative Industries./Programming for Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern Chinese Painting  is made possible by the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation./Creativity Resource is generously funded by a grant from the Morgridge Family Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education Programs, The Virginia Hill Charitable Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts, Xcel Energy Foundation, the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, and The Japan Foundation.