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Field Trips

Field Trips

Field trips at Memphis Art Museum invite pre-K–12 students to look closely, ask questions and make connections across time, place and artistic medium. Teachers can choose a guided or self-guided experience based on their students’ needs.

Schedule a Field Trip

Experience Options

Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

Guided Field Trip

Ideal for 15-35 students. 

A trained docent will lead students through a focused exploration of Memphis Art Museum's collection. Teachers may select a theme from our tour menu and request specific works or topics when booking.

Guided field trips are available during the school year. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.

Guided Field Trip with Artmaking

Ideal for 20-70 students.

A trained docent will lead students through a focused exploration of Memphis Art Museum's collection. Teachers may select a theme from our tour menu and request specific works or topics when booking.

Guided field trips are available during the school year. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.

Guided Field Trip with Artmaking + Film

Ideal for 80-120 students.

A trained docent will lead students through a focused exploration of Memphis Art Museum's collection. Teachers may select a theme from our tour menu and request specific works or topics when booking.

Guided field trips are available during the school year. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.

Self-Guided Field Trip

Ideal for 10-60 students.

Teachers and homeschool parents may lead their own visits. A self-guided field trip may be a good fit if students are completing an assignment in the galleries or the group prefers to explore at its own pace. Age-appropriate activity sheets and other educational materials may be available to support the visit.

Self-guided field trips are available year-round during museum hours. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.

Tour Menu

Memphis Art Museum's guided field trips support Tennessee learning standards. Tours may include exploration of our current exhibitions when relevant. Teachers may make specific requests when booking.

Elements of Art Communities and Connection
Storytelling in Art STEAM
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Elements of Art

Discuss line, shape, color, texture, form and space, and explore how artists use these elements to create art and express ideas.

Communities and Connection
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Communities and Connection

Discover how artists depict communities and invite viewers to make connections between themselves and others.

Elements of Art Storytelling in Art
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Storytelling in Art

Explore how artists use images, materials and composition to tell stories.

Communities and Connection STEAM
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STEAM

Discover connections between art and the natural and physical worlds through science, technology, engineering and math.

Storytelling in Art

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students can the museum accomodate? How much does a field trip cost? How many chaperones are required?
When are field trips available? Are reservations required? Is transportation provided?
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How many students can the museum accomodate?

Our field trips are designed to accommodate up to 120 students. Groups larger than 120 may reserve multiple time slots on the same day or visit across multiple days. Groups with fewer than 15 students are best suited for the self-guided field trip experience. Adding a hands-on artmaking experience requires a minimum of 20 students.

How much does a field trip cost?
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How much does a field trip cost?

Field trips are free for students enrolled in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

How many students can the museum accomodate? How many chaperones are required?
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How many chaperones are required?

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of our groups and visitors, we require one chaperone for every 10 students for guided tours and one for every 6 students for self-guided tours.

How much does a field trip cost? When are field trips available?
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When are field trips available?

Memphis Art Museum opens December 6, 2026. Guided field trips are typically offered September through June, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For the 2026–27 school year, tours will begin after the museum opens. Self-guided field trips are available during regular museum hours.

How many chaperones are required? Are reservations required?
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Are reservations required?

All guided and self-guided field trips require advance reservations. Guided field trips must be reserved at least 3 weeks before the visit.

When are field trips available? Is transportation provided?
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Is transportation provided?

The Tennessee Arts Commission’s Student Ticket Subsidy Program may help cover bus transportation for guided school visits. Applications must be received at least 30 days before the field trip. Payments are made directly to the school.

Are reservations required?

Field Trip Request

Tours at the Brooks Museum of Art

School tours are designed to engage students in critical thinking about art, and to support students to develop visual literacy skills. Students of all ages are invited to explore the rich collection of the Brooks Museum on a tour.

Guided Tours must be booked 3 weeks in advance and self-guided tours can be booked up to a week in advance

Will you be attending the tour? 

1 adult per 10 students is required.

Grade Level(s) 

Select all that apply.

Please select the tour type that will accommodate your group size and time available

Groups that book a guided tour have the option of scheduling an artmaking activity. Please note that guided tours and artmaking lessons are not guaranteed.

Tour Type 
Time Slots
Alternate Date and Time

(Note: Tours are offered Wednesday-Friday)

Tour Theme

Elements of Art

Discuss line, shape, color, texture, form, and space and how artists use these elements to create artwork and express ideas.

Narrative in Art

Learn about narrative in works of art and discover how artists use different techniques to create a story.

STEAM

Discover how art illuminates our natural and physical world by discussing topics in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Communities & Connection

Discover how artists depict various communities and invite viewers to make connections between themselves and others.

Tour Priorities

Please rank your the following tour priorities in order of importance from 1 to 5 where 1 is the most important and 5 is the the least important

Breadth of Work 

Students will view works from diverse artists, time periods, etc.

Student Discussion 

Tour guides will lead students in discussion and inquiry.

Historical Context 

Students will gain historical knowledge surrounding a work of art (i.e. artist biography, historical context of the work, etc.)

Introduction to Museums 

Students will introduced to museum's function and becoming active museum goers

Curriculum Connection 

Teacher has specific curriculum connections to be addressed on the tour (Please include specifics in the relevant information section if this is a top priority)

Please provide any relevant information about your students' learning styles and special needs.

How did you hear about us? 
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