School Tours
Guided school experiences emphasize an interactive and inquiry-based approach to looking at and discussing works of art. During the hour-long tours, museum docents engage students by visiting the galleries and discussing a variety of artwork. Students have time to make quality observations, draw meaningful connections, communicate deeply about the visual arts, and practice critical thinking skills.
For more information, please contact School Experience Manager Emily Jarvi at 616.831.2928 or ejarvi@artmuseumgr.org.
School tours and workshops may be requested during open Museum hours.
Some school experiences may also be requested to occur during the Museum’s non-business hours for an additional staffing fee, based on availability.
These requests must be received by the School Experience Manager, Emily Jarvi at least 5 weeks in advance of the desired date and can be accommodated based on scheduling and staffing availability.
If your group is unable to visit the Museum in person, virtual tours are available to explore GRAM remotely.
Join a GRAM Educator on a live virtual school tour through the galleries for an interactive experience. Select from a menu of tour options, which can highlight specific exhibitions, themes, or types of artwork; or customize your tour with a topic of interest you would like to explore. Virtual tours are a flat fee of $50 for an hour tour. If you are interested in scheduling a virtual school tour of GRAM, please contact our School Experience Manager a minimum of two weeks prior to your desired tour date.
School Tour Themes
An Introduction to the Museum Experience
Analyze the formal qualities of art to gain a complete understanding of the art-making process. By identifying and discussing elements and principles such as composition, color, line, texture, scale, proportion, balance, contrast, and rhythm, students will unlock the choices artists make to tell their stories.
Explore a variety of sculptures, engage in thinking routines to practice close looking and observation skills, and experiment with several guided drawing prompts to make your own sketches in our galleries. No previous drawing experience required.
This hands-on tour experience is all about slowing down to carefully investigate one work of art at time, while studying and discussing the visual details, lines, shapes, textures, and movement of different types of sculptures.
Animals in Art
Explore how artists see and depict animals through the visual arts, spanning a range of time periods, subject matter and context, and diverse artistic mediums.
Storytelling in Art
Artists are visual storytellers and the stories they communicate through their art help them to reveal, explore, and interpret their world. Investigate several works of art in GRAM’s galleries using the ingredients of creative storytelling and engage in interactive prompts to explore these works in greater depth.
Explore new and exciting temporary exhibitions currently on view at GRAM. Our dynamic exhibitions are always changing and provide a unique experience with every visit. Click here for information about our current and future exhibitions.
As the heart of the museum, our collection is constantly growing and changing — just like the city it serves. For over 100 years, GRAM’s collection has been cultivated to include a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft that highlight more than 5,000 years of human creativity. From a trove of over 6,000 objects, GRAM’s curators refresh the Museum’s third floor galleries every quarter, presenting visitors with new works and old favorites to experience and enjoy.
Lead the museum experience yourself by registering your students for a self-guided tour. Explore the museum’s collection and special exhibitions at your own pace while focusing on works directly related to your groups interest.
School Workshops
Activate the material covered on your tour by allowing your students to apply skills during hands-on art making lessons. Students work with the Museum’s Learning and Creativity Educators and learn methods for creating art with a variety of techniques and media. GRAM workshops are designed to scaffold and meet each student where they are, regardless of grade level. Workshops occur in Studio B, located in the lower level of the Grand Rapids Art Museum Creative Learning Center. Workshops are typically one hour in length, and available as an add-on experience to a docent-led tour. Requests must be received no later than 3 weeks in advance.
For more information please contact Emily Jarvi, School Experience Manager at 616.831.2928 or ejarvi@artmuseumgr.org.
School workshops may be requested during open Museum hours.
Some school experiences may also be requested to occur during the Museum’s non-business hours for an additional staffing fee, based on availability.
These requests must be received by the School Experience Manager, Emily Jarvi at least 5 weeks in advance of the desired date and can be accommodated based on scheduling and staffing availability.
School Workshop Themes
Become the curator of your own miniature museum as you create a 3‑dimensional gallery space and select art objects you would like to feature in your exhibition.
Drawing inspiration from the tour experience and gallery sketching activities, create your very own work of sculpture art, using a vast selection of 3D objects and art supplies in GRAM Studio to support your artistic vision and creative choices.
Experiment with printmaking processes while creating unique visual art that is infused with the elements of creative storytelling.
Create imaginative animal-inspired art while exploring mixed media collage.
Explore art making techniques and media inspired by the artists and works of art featured in our current exhibitions.
Explore art making techniques and media inspired by the artists and works of art featured in GRAM’s collection.
Studio Sessions
Book this student-directed artmaking session as a separate experience or an add-on workshop following any school tour. Students will receive prompts and a variety of artmaking supplies to experiment with a wide range of techniques and processes, resulting in a unique art project inspired by their own ideas and artistic choices.