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Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

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PreK-12 Banner Image

Class Tours

Bring your class to the Museum! Tours at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum incorporate close looking, inquiry-based conversations, and creative response activities that support different learning styles. Students are invited to be curious, hands-on learners, drawing connections among art, the classroom, and their lives. Museum tours are aligned with Missouri Learning Standards and designed to support arts integration across the curriculum. We can customize tours for PreK–12 audiences to meet the goals of your group. 

Museum admission and tours are free of charge. Missouri Art Council's Big Yellow School Bus Grant can cover up to $500 of transportation costs for PreK–12 school field trips to the Museum. Learn more here.

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Tour Topics
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Kenzo Okada (American, 1902–1982), "Surge," 1958. Oil on canvas, 72 3/4 x 64". Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr., 1963.

Become an art explorer across space and time! This flexible program offers an introduction to the museum and its collections for students of all ages and can be tailored to make connections between works of art and different curricular concepts or themes, such as the elements of art and the beauty of the everyday. Students are encouraged to follow their interests and curiosity as they confidently explore the world of art through close looking and hands-on activities. 

Missouri Learning Standards 

Specific learning standards may vary based on grade level and artworks included in the tour. 

Visual Arts (K-12) 

VA:Pr6A 

VA:Re7A 

VA:Re7B 

VA:Re8A 

Math (K-5) 

NS.B  

GM.A  

GM.C 

ELA (K-5) 

R.1.A 

R.1.B 

R.1.C 

image alt
Chitra Ganesh (American, b. 1975), "Comfort with Her Precipice," 2018. Inkjet print mounted on Dibond, 12 x 14". University purchase, Arthur L. and Sheila Prensky Fund, 2022.

Explore how artists tell stories with images. Students strengthen reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and build vocabulary by putting their interpretations of artworks into words through writing prompts, interactive activities, and group discussion. 

Missouri Learning Standards 

Specific learning standards may vary based on grade level and artworks included in the tour. 

Visual Art (3-12) 

VA:Re7A 

VA:Re7B 

VA:Re8A 

ELA (3-5) 

R.1.A 

R.1.B 

R.1.C 

W.2.C 

SL.1.A 

SL.3.A 

ELA (6-12) 

RL.1.A 

RL.1.B 

RL.1.C 

RL.2.B 

RL.3.A 

RL.3.B 

RL.3.C 

W.2.A 

SL.1.A 

SL.1.B 

SL.1.C 

image alt
Rufino Tamayo (Mexican, 1899–1991), "Lion and Horse," 1942. Oil on canvas, 36 1/4 x 46 1/2". University purchase, Kende Sale Fund, 1946.

Engaging with art offers a myriad of ways to build Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies, including self- and social awareness and relationship skills. Students will identify and express their own thoughts, emotions, and values and consider multiple perspectives while interpreting works of art that evoke empathy and respect. Reflective writing, group discussion, artmaking, and kinesthetic activities support multiple learning styles. 

Missouri Learning Standards 

Specific learning standards may vary based on grade level and artworks included in the tour. 

Visual Arts (3-12) 

VA:Cr1A 

VA:Re7A 

VA:Re7B 

VA:Cn10A 

Personal and Social Development (3-12) 

PS1.A.a 

PS1.C.a 

PS2.A.a 

PS2.B.a 

PS3.C.a 

image alt
Tomás Saraceno (Argentine, b. 1973), "Cosmic Filaments," 2019. Dichroic filters, polyacrylic panels, stainless steel, and polyester rope, 17'6" x 53' x 27'8". University purchase with funds from the William T. Kemper Foundation and Art on Campus Fund, 2019.

Discover intersections between art and science, technology, engineering, and math. Students encounter a variety of artistic materials and methods, consider the similarities between how artists and engineers approach problems, and learn about how artists across cultures and time periods have incorporated mathematic and scientific principles into their artmaking. 

Missouri Learning Standards 

Specific learning standards may vary based on grade level and artworks included in the tour. 

Visual Arts (3-12) 

VA:Cr1A 

VA:Cr2A 

VA:Cn10A 

Science (3-12) 

ETS1.A 

ETS1.B 

Math (3-12) 

GM.A 

GM.B 

image alt
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957), "Illumination," 2019. Lego bricks on baseplates, mounted on 4 aluminum panels, 120 3/4 x 151 1/8". University purchase with funds from the William T. Kemper Foundation, 2022.

Explore how artists call attention to social, political, and cultural issues, disrupt the status quo, and advocate for change. Students consider how art connects to their own lives and to issues of personal and social importance, while critically engaging with history, cultivating understanding of social responsibility, and orienting towards social justice. 

Missouri Learning Standards 

Specific learning standards may vary based on grade level and artworks included in the tour. 

Visual Arts (6-12) 

VA:Re7A 

VA:Re7B 

VA:Re8A 

VA:Cn11A 

Social Studies (6-12) 

WH.1.CC.B 

WH.1.PC.A 

WH.1.PC.B 

WH.5.PC.C 

AH.1.CC.B 

AH.1.PC.A 

AH.1.PC.B 

AH.5.PC.A 

AH.6.PC.A 

G.4.CC.C 

Professional Development

The Kemper Art Museum offers thematic educator workshops open to all area educators and collaborates with schools and districts to craft custom professional development sessions, which may focus on arts integration across the curriculum, strengthening skills and reflecting on pedagogy, or team building and fostering community. 

For information on upcoming teacher workshops or to plan a custom professional development session, please contact the education team at kempereducation@wustl.edu. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have any questions regarding PreK–12 class tours? We hope our list of frequently asked questions will help to clarify. If you can’t find the answer to your question below, please contact the education team at kempereducation@wustl.edu.

Tours are generally designed to last about an hour, but length can vary based on your availability and the program we develop to fit the needs of your group. Our educators are trained in inquiry-based teaching, and they will engage your students through discussion and activities. At the Museum your class will focus on a selection of works that best address the goals of your visit. 

For a guided tour, either a member of the Education Department or a trained Washington University student educator will guide your students through the Museum. 

Yes, student groups from grades four and above are welcome to self-guide. A self-guided tour is directed by the visiting students’ teacher rather than Museum staff. The Education Department can provide resources to help teachers prepare for their self-guided visits. 

We can accommodate groups of up to 60 students at a time, which will be divided into smaller groups within the galleries. Groups larger than 60 will be asked to schedule rotations at different times to ensure a quality experience for all. 

Please arrange to have one adult chaperone for every 15 students. 

Unfortunately, lunchroom facilities are not available in the Museum or in the surrounding buildings. During the academic year, groups are welcome to purchase lunches at one of the dining facilities on campus. Groups may bring bag lunches and eat outside the Museum in Tisch Park. 

Cars 

Visitor parking is available in Washington University’s East End Garage at Forsyth and Wrighton Way for an hourly fee on weekdays. Exit the garage via the stairs at the southeast corner or via the elevator to the Sumers Welcome Center. If the East End Garage is full, you may park in the Danforth University Center (DUC) Garage, further west on Forsyth. Free parking is available on campus on weekday evenings, beginning at 5 pm, and on weekends. 

Buses 

Buses may drop off passengers at the Museum via the Brookings Drive circle, located off of Skinker Boulevard. Buses should then proceed to park in the West Campus surface parking lot at 7425 Forsyth Boulevard until time to return to retrieve passengers from the Museum. If you intend to travel to the Museum by bus, please inform Museum staff when booking your tour so that they may register the bus with the Washington University Parking & Transportation Office. 

Wheelchairs, electric scooters, and service animals are welcome in the Museum. Free manual wheelchairs and large-print labels are available at the Welcome Desk. Accessible parking and an elevator are available in Washington University’s East End Garage, a short distance from the Museum. American Sign Language interpretation will be arranged for groups upon request with two weeks’ notice. 

When you arrive at the Museum, please check in at the Welcome Desk just inside the north entrance. Museum staff can help you check any coats, large bags, backpacks, or umbrellas in our coat check, and will provide stickers for members of your group to wear during the visit. Please provide an attendee count to the staff member when checking in. For guided tours, your educator will meet you at the entrance. 

If you are running late, please call the Welcome Desk at 314.935.4523. A group that arrives more than 20 minutes after the scheduled tour time for a guided tour may take a self-guided tour. 

Educator eNews

Stay in touch! Subscribe to the Museum's PreK–12 eNews to receive information about special programming, events, and other resources for teachers and students. 

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

Request a Tour

To schedule a tour for your class, submit this form at least two weeks prior to your requested tour date. If you have any questions, please contact Latausha Cox at cox.l@wustl.edu.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

A member of the education staff will email you upon receipt of your tour request.

Schools are encouraged to schedule visits to the Museum during regular hours of Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, although exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Choose a tour type. If requesting a special exhibition tour or custom tour, please elaborate in the message field below.

* Required fields

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