Muskegon Museum of Art

GUIDED GROUP TOURS

What constitutes a group tour?
This is a guided tour offered to eight or more people by our experienced docents. Self-guided tours are permitted, however, these should also be scheduled with our tour coordinator to avoid over-crowding in the galleries.

How to schedule a tour

Select three possible dates and times for your group to visit the museum. If you are combining your visit with a nearby facility, such as the Hackley Public Library, Muskegon County Museum or the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, be sure to contact that organization to verify its ability to accommodate your group at your desired time. We cannot make these arrangements for you unfortunately.
Determine which of our tours works best for your group, including desired length.
Docent lead tours can be scheduled October through June. Most tours can be scheduled between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Tour groups must bring one Chaperone for each ten students scheduled to visit the museum. Groups of 30 or less can reserve the museum classroom for lunch. In warm weather large groups can reserve Hackley Park for lunch by calling 231.724.6704.
Phone our tour scheduler Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm at 231/720-2571 at least two weeks in advance of your visit.

Cost
School Tours: Admission for students is free, as is the admission for their tour chaperones.
Adult Non-School Tours: Each adult in a group tour pays regular adult admission price. Thursday adult admissions are free.
There is no tour fee beyond museum admission price for any group tour.

SCHOOL GROUP TOUR PROGRAMS 2007-08
Make art exciting! Visiting the Muskegon Museum of Art is a great way to provide your students with an opportunity to discover the world of art. Students can explore the Museum's permanent collection of American and European artwork or experience a wide range of artistic genres by visiting our temporary exhibitions.

OPTIONS

GENERAL SCHOOL GROUP PROGRAMS

[1] Formal Elements of Art
Adaptable for students in grades 3-12
1 hour
Available October - June
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Limited to 60 students per group
Exploring and observing artwork on display at the museum, will introduce students to line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space. The formal elements of art are a great way to give students the tools to enjoy and explore art for a lifetime.

[2] Shapes and Colors
Pre-K and Kindergarten
30 minutes
Available October - June
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Limited to 60 students per group
Shapes and colors are a great introduction to art. Students will explore how shapes and colors that an artist uses help to tell a story, express feelings, and identify objects. Docents (museum guides) will use visuals for these budding students as they learn from original works of art.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS

[3] Self-Expression
Exhibitions: By Her Hand: Women Artists from the MMA Collections and
Women Only! In Their Studios
Middle & High School Students
1 hour
Available Sept. 13 - Nov. 11, 2007
Limited to 30 students per group
Combine English and art with a visit to these wonderful exhibitions. As students go through the exhibitions they will be asked to pick a work of art that they can relate to or enjoy. Back in the classroom, each student can write about their experience and how that work of art affected their museum experience. This is a great time for students to use a sketchbook to draw and write down ideas and thoughts. Images of artwork from the exhibitions will be available in the on-line Teacher Packet for further observation.
Related Michigan Curriculum Benchmarks and Standards
English: Standard 3. Meaning and Communication and Standard 7. Skills and Processes

[4] Regions Near & Imaginations Far
Exhibition: Overviews & Afterlands: Landscapes by Jim Nawara
Upper Elementary
1 hour tour-1/2 hour optional lesson
Available Oct. 19, 2007 - Jan. 20, 2008
Limited to 30 students per group
Students will talk about geographic regions and how Nawara incorporates our region into his imaginative landscapes. Optional lesson: Students will then be asked to create their own real and imaginative landscapes. What landscape features define the region in which we live? What imaginative or unexpected objects might we see on the beach? On the playground? In a snow bank?
Related Michigan Curriculum Benchmarks and Standards
Social Studies: Standard 2. Geographic Perspective, strand 2.2 Human/Environment Interaction and strand 2.4 Regions, Patterns, and Processes

[5] Wild Weather
Exhibition: Lyric Visions and Nature's Fury: Regionalism from the MMA Collections
Kindergarten - 4th
1 hour
Available Nov. 8, 2007 - Jan. 20, 2008
Limited to 30 students per group
We will keep the students spinning with a weather related tour. Looking at artworks in this exhibition, kids will explore and discuss how weather affects people and art. The highlight of this exhibition is John Steuart Curry's Tornado Over Kansas, a museum favorite.
Related Michigan Curriculum Benchmarks and Standards
Science: Standard 5. Using Scientific Knowledge in Earth Science, strand 5.3 the Atmosphere and Weather

[6] Help Wanted!
Exhibition: Legacy: Ten Years of Collecting
Middle and High School
1 hour
Available Dec. 13, 2007 - March 16, 2008
Limited to 30 students per group
What is a museum and how does it work? This tour focuses on many museum-related careers. As the students tour the exhibition they will learn how each staff member, from the Director to the Custodian, plays a critical role in daily museum operations and in implementing the overall mission and goals from collections management to education and visitor services. (This program can be applied to other exhibitions throughout the year, ask for more information.)

[7] Blast Off!
Exhibition: Heavens Above: Photographs of the Universe from the Hubble Space Telescope
5th grade
1 hour tour-1/2 hour optional lesson
Available Jan. 17 - March 16, 2008
Limited to 30 students per group
This exhibition demonstrates the inherent relationship between science and art. Students will view amazing pictures from space as docents explain how science, problem solving, math and art are showcased. Optional lesson: After the tour, students will work in small groups to collect data about samples of edible "rocks". Using their communication skills to describe their observations. The edible "rocks" are then compared to real meteorites we would find in space.
Related Michigan Curriculum Benchmarks and Standards
Science: Standard 1. Constructing New Scientific Knowledge, Standard 5. Using Scientific Knowledge in Earth Science, strand 5.4 the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe.
Math: Standard 3. Data Analysis and Statistics, strand 3.1 Collection, Organization, and Presentation of Data

[8] Expressions 2008
Exhibition: Expressions 2008: Student Art Exhibition
All Grades
1 hour
Available March 29 - April 27, 2008
Limited to 30 students per group
Students will explore art created by fellow students in the Muskegon School District. This show is always a huge success and a great way to celebrate student art. Expressions 2008 is a must see!