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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
Narrative 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 Narrative in Art
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Narrative 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.

Narrative in Art

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students can the museum accomodate? 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 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 many students can the museum accomodate? 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

Organizer information
Billing Preference
Scholarship request
Scholarship Percentage

Tour Theme (optional)

Select a tour theme
Preferred Date #1 
Time Slot
Preferred Date #2 
Time Slot #2