Preschool – Grade 2
ARTful Explorer Tours
ARTful Explorer tours are designed with your early learner in mind. These tours combine storytelling, guided looking, and hands-on activities which boost creative exploration and discovery. Your early learner is guaranteed to leave feeling inspired and informed.
Check out our Art-Full Fun and Learning Educator’s Packet for pre- and post-visit activities and fun ways to talk about museum manners.
40-minute tour and story: Free
60-minute tour with story and hands-on art project: $2/student
Choose from 2 great themes!
Museum Moods
Our feelings are the guide for this tour as we look for works of art which convey certain moods and discuss how artists use color, gesture, and more to illustrate emotion. in the studio, we ll experiment with oil pastel and watercolor as we create our own moody works of art.
Follow That Line!
Inspired by the book, Lines that Wiggle, we’ll explore the museum galleries on the search for lines and learn that inspiration lurks in every corner. In the studio, our quest continues as we use pipe cleaners and more to create whimsical one-of-a-kind sculptures!
Kindergarten – Grade 12
Museum Tours for Schools and Homeschool Groups
Our education staff is excited to support you in creating a program that connects with your classroom curriculum and enhances your visit. At the KIA, we offer tours tailored to each age group; each experience is inspired by the current exhibition and/or permanent collection.
Educators and students from all school districts are welcomed for our one-hour tour. Our volunteer docents are extensively trained to engage students of all ages in exploring art, building vocabulary through discussion, and allowing the students to express their own points of view. (maximum group size: 60, 13:1 approximate docent ratio)
ArtLab
Add a hands-on ArtLab experience to your tour.
Add an ArtLab workshop to any tour to extend your students’ museum experience, and connect it to your classroom work. Students will spend an hour in the studio making art with professional artist-educators who will cultivate their personal, unique vision to create an original artwork using a variety of techniques and materials. The students will exercise their creative and critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and increase their visual literacy using the language of art. (2 hour total visit)
ArtLab workshops are an additional $5/student, however, thanks to grant funding, ArtLabs are FREE for all 3rd-5th graders.
Choose from 2 great themes!
Abstract Redux
The how and why of Abstract Art will be revealed through conversation and looking. Students will be guided through an exploration of this often misunderstood form of art. Delve deeper into the complex themes, ideas, and gestures behind deceivingly “simple” works of art. We can always provide an ArtLab experience for any of our tours.
Stem to Steam (through Sculpture)
Artists are explorers, designers, and engineers! Explore our sculptural objects and learn about process, materials, formation, space, and beauty among other ideas.
Transportation
Qualifying Kalamazoo County K-8 school groups pay only $25 of bus costs. Find information here about KRESA/EFA’s great offer.