Field Trips at the DAM
Ignite your students’ curiosity and enhance your classroom curriculum. School tours explore human creativity from multiple lenses and entry points, engaging students in hands-on activities and lively, thought-provoking conversations. All tours address Colorado Academic Standards and 21st Century Skills.
Browse through our latest field trip options below, and consider adding an artmaking workshop or a self-guided tour to supplement your visit.
Creative Explorers (Pre-K Students)
Creative Explorers is an hour-long introductory tour for preschool students. During a Creative Explorers tour, students:
- Enjoy a learning experience that is appropriate for students of all levels and with diverse needs.
- Expand their understanding of artists, learning students can be artists, too, and have the power to make their own choices to turn any material into a piece of art!
- Are exposed to art from diverse cultures in a variety of media; and learn how artists use a variety of materials, colors and shapes, and their imaginations to make their art.
- Have an experience that they are excited about and that makes them want to return back to the DAM to share it with their friends and families.
Imagination Games (Grades K-2)
Imagination Games is a one-hour introductory tour for kindergarten through second grade students. During Imagination Games students will:
- Enjoy a hands-on and accessible learning experience that is appropriate for diverse students of all levels and needs
- Expand their observation, comprehension and imagination abilities
- Be exposed to art from diverse cultures in a variety of media
- Develop familiarity with the museum and have an experience that they are excited about that makes them want to return to the DAM to share it with their friends and families
Perception Games (Grades 3-5)
Perception Games is a one-hour introductory tour for third through fifth grade students. During Perception Games students will:
- Enjoy a hands-on and accessible learning experience that is appropriate for diverse students of all levels and needs
- Expand their observation, comprehension and perception abilities
- Be exposed to a variety of media and cultures in art
- Develop familiarity with the museum and have an experience that they are excited about that makes them want to return to the DAM to share it with their friends and families
Art and Social Consciousness: Environmental Lens (Grades 6-12)
Explore the collection with the earth in mind. Consider how environmental concerns are woven into the art making and viewing processes.
This Denver Art Museum field trip experience develops students’ ability to critically reflect on the multifaceted connections between environmentalism and art. Young people today live in an era of many challenges to the life-sustaining environments of our planet. This field trip offers opportunities to discuss both environmental impacts and activism in art. Through art viewing at the Denver Art Museum, this experience provides a dynamic way to supplement young people’s awareness of environmental issues, helps them make personal connections, and sparks interest in sustainability.
Art and Social Consciousness: Identity Lens (Grades 6-12)
We can view art through many different lenses to explore our world and our identities. Art can reflect who we are and help us understand ourselves and others better.
This Denver Art Museum field trip experience supports young people’s social and emotional development journey by cultivating self-awareness, social awareness/empathy and self-regulation techniques. By investigating topics related to social emotional learning this experience assists young people to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, as well as feel and show empathy for others, all while building collaborative and trusting relationships between classmates, with chaperones and teachers as well as museum staff and volunteers.
Art and Social Consciousness: Power and Privilege Lens (Grades 9-12)
Explore ways objects and artworks display or challenge ideas about power and privilege. What is power? Who has power and why? What is your own power?
This Denver Art Museum field trip experience develops young people’s ability to critically reflect on power dynamics in society and grapple with social justice issues that are important to them. This field trip plants seeds of inquiry and offers students tools for contemplation. Students interrogate the complex topics of power and privilege, both of which intersect with all aspects of society, including art. Through this experience at the DAM, students develop themselves as responsible global citizens, with tools to disrupt and challenge systemic and individual issues when they see them.
Design Thinking (Grades 6-12)
Some artworks are designed to be both functional as well as beautiful. Explore the galleries with design in mind and consider the choices and steps designers take in their creative process.
Design Field Trip Goals:
- Consider the intersection of function and beauty in a variety of artworks
- Imagine multiple iterations of an object
- Examine the choices designers might have made while creating some of the objects in the galleries
Artmaking Workshops
Extend your in-gallery learning and get creative with an art-making workshop. Each workshop is 1 hour long and can accommodate up to 30 students. You must have at least 20 students to book a workshop.
Self-Guided Tours
We welcome you to explore the museum on your own as well! We have resources available and activities to do both at the museum and at home to supplement your next visit.
How to Book Your Trip
We are no longer taking bookings for the 2023-2024 school year. Bookings for the 2024-2025 school year will open June 1, 2024.
We're excited to welcome your group to the museum!
Please be aware our tours and workshops have limited capacities. Reservations are required for all school visits and must be made at least three weeks in advance, pending availability. Please check your school calendar and bus availability before booking as rescheduling is not guaranteed. Learn more about our tours and workshop offerings by browsing through our current available field trips. Booking for the 2024-2025 school year will open this summer.
Use Creativity Resource to develop a custom experience for your students and to access additional teaching and educational materials to supplement your classroom curriculum. There is so much more to explore in our galleries—we want you to get the most out of your visit!
Plan to divide your group up into smaller increments (10 students per pod or less) and arrange for 1-3 chaperones for every 10 students. All chaperones must be at least 19 years old. We provide complimentary admission for adults joining the group as chaperones.
For tours of special ticketed exhibits, we require one chaperone for every 10 students and will provide complimentary admission. Additional chaperones are encouraged to attend and will receive the discounted group rate for their ticket.
For more information, contact Group Services at 720-913-0088 (Monday through Friday between 10 am and 5 pm) or fill out a reservation form below. We are currently only taking summer group reservations.
Pricing
To qualify for the pricing below, tickets must be reserved in advance:
Students: Free for Kids funds free general admission for youth ages 18 and under, and discounted youth pricing for special ticketed exhibitions. Field trips and youth group visits are free for students, special ticketed exhibitions are $5 per student.
We are excited to offer new hands-on artmaking workshops that complement your guided tour. There is an additional fee of $3 per student to book, with a minimum registration of 20 students.
Chaperones: Chaperone tickets within the required ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students are free, funded by the museum. Additional chaperones are encouraged to attend will receive the discounted group rate.
Funding Assistance
We are no longer taking applications for Transportation Funding Assistance applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Please check back in August for our 2024-2025 Transportation Funding Assistance Application!
Prepare for Your Visit
Our associates are happy to discuss our programming, review availability, and answer any questions you may have about visiting the museum. The Group Services department can be reached Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm at 720-913-0088 or or groupsales@denverartmuseum.org. Submit a field trip request here.
Once you complete your reservation, we will send you an email confirmation that includes an invoice—please review this information to confirm that your visit date and arrival time are correct. Your trip is not officially booked until you receive a confirmation email. Additionally, you will receive a chaperone guide, helpful visit tips, and a parking and drop-off map. We strongly encourage you to review these guides and share them with your students and chaperones prior to your trip.
You will receive a confirmation call two (2) weeks ahead of your visit to confirm details. If you have booked programming, you will receive an itinerary with detailed grouping information one (1) week prior to your visit. If you have booked Spanish translators to support your students, you will be asked to confirm the number of translators needed four (4) days before your visit. If you have any additional questions or need to reschedule, please contact Group Services directly at 720-913-0088 or groupsales@denverartmuseum.org.
Additional Visit Information
Chaperones
- Arrange for 1-3 chaperones for every 10 students.
- All chaperones must be at least 19 years old.
- Review The Art of Chaperoning (PDF) before your visit.
General Admission Tour & Visits
- Creative Explorers requires one (1) adult chaperone for every five (5) students.
- Imagination Games requires one (1) adult chaperone for every eight (8) students.
- All other tours require at least one (1) adult chaperone for every 10 students.
- A maximum of three (3) adult chaperones is allowed for every 10 students. These chaperones receive free general admission.
Special Ticketed Tour & Visits
- One (1) adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. These chaperones receive free admission.
- Additional chaperones are encouraged to attend and will receive the discounted group rate.
Dividing Student Groups
Guided Tours: Divide your students into small groups ahead of time according to the information you receive in your confirmation call (which you will receive two (2) weeks prior to your visit).
During Your Visit
We want you to feel empowered to learn and engage with our collection in meaningful ways. Here are some tips to help you have a successful visit:
- Please move through the galleries with your chaperone and small pod. Students must be supervised at all times, including restroom breaks (museum docents and staff are not permitted to assist with restroom breaks).
- By not touching the artworks and maintaining a safe distance while viewing (especially when taking pictures and selfies), you help preserve the pieces for other visitors to enjoy.
- No food, drinks, gum, or candy is allowed in the galleries at any time. Groups may use our lower-level Wonderscape room or our courtyard and amphitheater for lunch or snack breaks. Please note there is no microwave available.
- Feel free to talk about the artworks on view, but, for the consideration of other visitors, please use inside voices within the galleries and atrium.
- No running. For your safety and the safety of all our visitors (and the art), please do not run through the museum.
In case of emergencies or if a student becomes separated from their group, our Gallery Hosts can assist. Museum staff can be identified wearing a rainbow lanyard.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We understand that things happen.
For cancellations or to reschedule your tour, please contact Group Services at 720-913-0088. Our associates will work to find another date for your visit; however, we cannot guarantee availability.
In the event of museum closure due to weather or other circumstances, groups that are scheduled to visit will be notified as soon as possible.
Thank You Letters
We greatly appreciate receiving cards and notes about your visit. Museum staff, docents, and donors like knowing how their work and contributions provide enlightening and meaningful opportunities for students.
If you choose, please mail thank you letters to:
Denver Art Museum
c/o Group Services
100 W 14th Avenue Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
Arrival and Check-In
The museum is located downtown in Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood.
Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
School groups will arrive on 14th Avenue next to our Martin Building.
Check-In Instructions
If arriving via bus, a staff member will greet you and provide further instructions. To expedite your check-in, have your final count of students and chaperones ready. You can reference the parking map for instructions on where buses should plan to park.
Groups arriving via car can drop students off at the 14th Avenue entrance before parking their vehicles. Parking options include meters, public parking lots, or the Cultural Center Complex Garage (fees may vary). Please note that students may not be dropped off at the museum without chaperones.
Upon arrival, students will enter the museum' lower level through the courtyard and amphitheater. Here they will check in, stow lunches and coats, and meet with our Youth Program associates for a brief orientation. Please leave student backpacks and valuables on the bus. The museum is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
If you will be arriving late, please contact the Group Services office at 720-913-0088 and they will alert our staff. Late arrivals may result in forfeiture of guided programming.
Get the Newsletter
Be among the first to hear about the newest opportunities for schools and teachers. Sign up for email updates and select School & Teacher when you receive a confirmation email in your inbox.
Teachers are also eligible to become museum members at a discounted rate (visit a welcome center with your teacher ID), and enjoy all the benefits of an individual membership such as free general admission, discounts on programs, lectures, in The Shop, and more.
