In celebration of our 20th anniversary, the Michener Art Museum began providing free admission to all schools groups visiting the Museum in 2008. The Rose Group, a restaurant management company which owns and operates over fifty Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bars locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland generously sponsored this effort. We are happy to announce that The Rose Group will be continuing this sponsorship through 2009. Learn more about the program here [76K PDF].

Tours at the Michener Art Museum are an introduction to the fascinating world of museums and are tailored to fit various age groups. Through age-appropriate interactive gallery discussions, creative visual analysis and educational activities, your visit to the Michener will instill in students an appreciation for the visual arts. Our staff is happy to work with you to design a school tour that meets your specific needs.

Reservations are necessary. To schedule your school tour, contact the education department at 215.340.9800, ext. 124 or by email. Please schedule a tour at least 3 weeks in advance. Docent and date cannot be guaranteed if tour is scheduled under 3 weeks. No reservations are accepted by by fax, or through the mail.

Please see scheduling your visit for information on chaperones, fees, museum shop and lunchroom availability. To download material on our School Programs and educational resources, visit our Teacher Resources page.

• Preschool: ArtStart
  Children learn art themes (still life, landscape), art media (painting, sculpture, photography) & museum terms (gallery, artist, docent) in this introduction to the wonders of the museum. Emphasis is on interactive & hands-on learning. Length of tour: 35-45 minutes.
  
  
• Grades (K-3): Museum Mysteries
  Young students practice visual perception skills as they learn about art by solving Museum mysteries with treasure hunts, activity sheets and imagination games. All tours and lessons take place in the museum galleries under supervision of docents or staff teachers. Length of Tour: 45 minutes to an hour.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 2a, 2b, 3a; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1.3.C, 9.2.3.A, B, F-H, 9.3.3.A-D, & F; 9.4.3.A & C; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.3.F, 1.6.3.A, C, &.D. K-4 History: 1:2a, 2:3a; Geography: 2, 4. PA Math: 2.1.3.A, 2.1.3.G, 2.9.3.A, 2.9.3.D;
  
  
• Grades (4-6): A Lasting Impression
  Students will learn about the history of Pennsylvania through studying works of art from the Museum's collection. Students will also learn about their Bucks County cultural and artistic heritage while strengthening their perceptual and expressive skills. Students will explore our collections through activities focusing on looking at, thinking about and responding to art. Length of tour: 1 hour.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 4b; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1.8.C, 9.2.8.A-D, 9.2.8.F-H, 9.3.8.A-D, 9.4.8.A, C &D; K-4 History: 1:1b, 1:2a, 2:3a, 2:3c, 2:3d, 2:3e, 3:4c, 4:7b; United States History Grades 5-12: Era 2:2b, Era 3:1a, Era 5:1a; Historical Thinking: 1a, 2i, 4a; Geography: 2, 4, 5, 6,14, 17; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.8.F, 1.6.8.A, C, & D;
  
  
• Grades (7-12): Bucks County's Art and Artists
  Introducing the students to the Michener Art Museum's collection, students explore more advanced themes in art such as art criticism, aesthetics, and art history and Bucks County heritage through interactive discussion led by docents throughout the museum. Type of tour can be modified to fit the teacher's needs. Length of tour: 1 hour.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 2a, 2b, 2d, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1.12.C, 9.2.12.A-H, 9.3.12.A-D, 9.4.12.A, C & D; United States History grades 5-12: Era 2:2b, Era 3:1a, Era 5:1a; Historical Thinking: 1a, 2i, 4a; Geography: 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 16, 17; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.11.F, 1.6.11.A, C, & D;
  
  
• In-Depth Lessons/Focus Tours
  Age-appropriate tours focusing on one area of collection, permanent or special exhibit; docent spends at least 20 minutes of tour in gallery. Please see exhibition schedule for current exhibits.
  Please call the education department at 215-340-9800 x124 to find out what standards are being met for changing exhibitions.
  
  
• Self-Guided Tour
  Please call ahead to register. Contact the education department with the number of students that will be in your tour. Student groups must be supervised by teachers and chaperones at all times.

Specialized School Tour Programs: The Art Door Program

• Art Safari (Pre K-Kindergarten)
  Our youngest art adventures join in the fun of an art safari led by a Headhunter docent who will travel the galleries with students in search of big and little animals in the artwork and sculpture. Following the safari, students will return to camp and create their own wild animals in a 30-minute workshop. Total length of program: 60 minutes.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 1a, 2c, 3b; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1.3.A-C, E, H, J; 9.2.3.F-H, 9.3.3.A-D; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.3.F; 1.6.3.A, C & D; K-4 History: 1:2a, 2:3c; PA Math: 2.1.3.A, 2.1.3.G, 2.9.3.A, 2.9.3.D;
  
  
• Look Into Landscape (Grades 1-6)
  Children will focus in depth on landscape painting by looking at the Michener's permanent collection of Pennsylvania landscapes (emphasis on Daniel Garber's mural, A Wooded Watershed.) The program includes a multi-disciplinary mix of poetry, drawing and painting. This program was designed and piloted by Palisades School District art teachers and the Michener Art Museum education staff. Total length of program: 90 minutes.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 1a, 2a, 2c, 3b, 4a, and 6a: PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1.3.A-C, E, H, J; 9.2.3.A-C, F-H; and 9.3.3.A-D; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.3.F; 1.3.3.D, 1.4.3.A, 1.6.3.A, C & D; K-4 History: 1:2a, 2:3c; Geography: 2,4,5,6,17
  
  
• All About Abstraction (Grades 1-6)
  Students will focus in depth on abstract painting by looking at the Michener Art Museum's permanent collection of Modernist and Abstract works. The program includes a multi-disciplinary mix of visual art and writing inspired by works in the collection in a 45-minute studio-workshop. Total length of program: 90 minutes.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 1, 2, 3 & 6; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4; PA Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening: 1.1.8.F, 1.6.8.A, C & D;
  
  
• Portrait Personalities (Grades 3-8)
  Students will focus on the figure in art through this lesson on portraiture. By using drama and storytelling inspired by the works in the galleries, students will be led to create their own creative self-portraits in this 45 minute workshop. Total length of program: 90 minutes.
  Standards:
  Visual Arts: 1,2,3,4,& 6; PA Arts and Humanities: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3;
  
  
• Special Exhibit Art Door (Grades K-12)
  Students will focus in depth on a changing exhibition held during the school year. Please call the education department for details on what Art Door(s) are being offered, and the costs and standards related to the program.
  
  
• New! Word Play: Expression Through Visual Art and Language Arts (Grades 3-12)
  These new Art Door programs will develop opportunities for students to explore our permanent collection and respond through language arts activities, including discussion, writing, and drama. Lessons are taught by trained museum educators and certified teachers in the museum galleries. Lessons can be customized to meet the needs of the teacher. Pre-visit and Post-visit materials are available. Lessons include: Poetry in the Nakashima Reading Room, Creating Historical Narratives, Descriptive Writing and Landscapes, Dreams, Imaginations and Contemporary Art, and Journal Writing and Portraits. Total length of lesson: 90 minutes. Download the flyer [247K PDF]

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