Pre-visit Checklist

Useful information to prepare for your K-12 Group Visit to UMMA.

Download a printable version

Before Your Visit

Reserve The Bus Follow your school's typical procedure to book transportation. More information below.
Create Small Groups Divide your class into assigned groups in advance. When you receive your visit confirmation, UMMA will let you know how many groups to form. Each group will have about 5-7 students in it. You know your students and which pairings will be most successful.
Make Nametags Provide each student with a nametag prior to arrival. Names should be bold and readable from a distance.
Review "Prepare for your visit to UMMA" Materials with Students We'll provide you with a slideshow and video to help students visualize their visit. Please share slides with students & chaperones and narrate as needed. View Slideshow
Assign Chaperones Please be prepared to provide 1 chaperone per 6 students
Communicate Accommodation Requests Please respond to your confirmation email and let us know about allergies, hearing loss, and mobility concerns so we can discuss support in advance
Plan Lunch and Snacks UMMA does not have a dedicated lunch space for K-12 tours. The Michigan Union across the street offers fast food options, and many restaurants are located on South University or State Street. If the weather is nice, students could eat outside on benches around the Museum or on U-M's "Diag"
Review Museum Guidelines Below Share these guidelines with your students and chaperones

Museum Guidelines

Art is special. Please protect it by looking and not touching.
No food or drink are allowed in the galleries.
Please leave backpacks on the bus.
Photography is allowed. No flash or video please. We encourage students to be fully engaged without phones during tour discussion.

What’s Available

Water fountains
Wheelchair and walker
Gender-inclusive restrooms
Diaper changing tables
Sensory kits
Tour supplies (pencils, paper, clipboards)

Bus Information

When the date and time of your visit have been confirmed, please reserve bus transportation according to your typical procedure. Tours last one hour. If you have requested bus funds and been approved, UMMA staff will communicate the process with you in advance. It is not safe to unload buses on State Street. Please share this drop off location map with your bus driver.

Buses may not park at the drop-off location during the tour because there is no parking lot. Please proceed south on State Street to Briarwood Mall parking lot and then return when the visit concludes to pick up at the same location on South University Street.

You can download this map to print it and give to your bus driver

Download Map

Day of Your Visit

Give Drop-off Map To Bus Driver Share this link or print the map above so your bus driver knows where to drop you off. Look for an UMMA Staff Member at the designated drop off location on S. University street
Enter the Museum Enter through the accessible door next to the large white head sculpture (Behind the Walls, Jaume Plensa). This is around the front of the building from where the Bus dropped you off.
Check In Please attach nametags to students and break into your pre-determined groups.

After Your Visit

Complete Tour Reflection Form You will be sent a brief survey asking you to reflect on your visit. Thank you for taking five minutes to complete it!
Complete Bus Reimbursement (if applicable) If you were notified that you qualified for bus funds, please complete the steps that were shared with you. The process will vary depending on your school district.

Download This Checklist

A printable version of this checklist is available

Download PDF

Reach out with questions!

We’re here to help guide you through the process and make visiting UMMA fun, easy, and rewarding. Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone listed below.

734.615.6247

mdegroo@umich.edu

You can usually find me... in the galleries with a group of young students and teachers.

Grace VanderVliet

Curator for Museum Teaching and Learning

(she/her)

kafi@umich.edu

Kafi Laramore

K-12 Teaching & Learning Coordinator

Today’s Hours:

Address: