Plan a K-12 Tour
In a group experience, your class will reflect, discuss, and learn together about culture and our world. We offer UMMA-guided and self-guided opportunities. Please submit a request form so we can best prepare for your arrival.
All Group Tours at UMMA
Group Size
25-30 students or less
Food and Drink
Not allowed in the galleries to keep the art safe
Accessibility
Elevators, wheelchairs, strollers available
Why Take a K-12 Group Tour?
Facilitated learning experiences with works of art create an appreciation of diverse cultures, ideas, and human experiences. Students learn about creative processes, techniques, and materials. The study of works of art promotes the development of creative and critical thinking skills that are important to success in life as well as in school: inquiry, analysis, and interpretation in addition to flexibility, imagination, observation, communication, empathy, and reflection.
Self-Guided K-12 Groups
Explore the Museum
Request a visit to learn about gallery availability
Chaperones
Responsible for directing the group and facilitating conversations
Activity Prompts
Free Gallery Guide brochures available
Teachers, students, and chaperones are welcome to explore UMMA’s collection in self-guided, teacher-led small groups. We believe that spending 45 minutes – 1 hour exploring a few works of art in depth can be more rewarding than quickly surveying many works. We ask that teachers and chaperones remain with students throughout their time in the museum, engaging with them in looking at and discussing the art. Please visit the K-12 Resources page for gallery brochures and resources to help ensure a successful learning experience for students.
UMMA-Guided K-12 Groups
UMMA Guided
Led by experienced volunteer docents
Chaperones
1 for every 6 students
Bus Funding
Free Gallery Guide brochures available
Through facilitated conversation, our goal is to bring UMMA’s mission to life: to enrich understanding, to foster joy, and to build a more just future. Discussion will focus on artistic process and materials as well as connecting art to personal and contemporary experiences. We aim to uplift students’ and artists’ voices. Students will engage with approximately 4 works of art related to a theme (below). Objects will be selected from a variety of exhibitions.
Example Tour Themes
Reserve Your K-12 Group Visit
- Complete the online K-12 Group Tour Request form below, listing your preferred dates and start times.
- You will receive an automatic reply that your tour request has been submitted.
- UMMA staff will manually schedule your visit. We will do our best to honor your preferred date.
- You will receive a personalized email confirmation that includes detailed preparation information. If you have applied for bus funds for your guided tour, you will be notified about the process at that time.
- Two weeks prior to your tour, we will ask you to confirm that all details for your class visit are correct.
K-12 Group Tour Request Form
Support
Programs for K-12 students and educators are generously supported by Michigan Medicine, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
