K-12 Schools & Educators
From guided tours to online resources, the Palmer Museum of Art offers classroom teachers and homeschool groups a variety of programs and resources to support art in the curriculum.Guided School Tours
Inspire curiosity, support visual literacy skills, and connect students to opportunities for lifelong learning through a guided school tour. All tours encourage close-looking and interpretation through shared-inquiry discussions and activity-based learning.
School Tour Themes
- The Elements of Art (grades pre-K–3) – Recognize and discuss the visual language of art.
- Seeing Ourselves, Seeing Each Other (grades 3–12) – Explore the ways that people and cultures have represented themselves or others in art.
- Art and the Object (grades 3–12) – Discover layers of meaning conveyed through pictured objects, found materials, and artistic mediums.
- Art & Society (grades 5–12) – Reflect on the power of art to communicate ideas and create social connections.
Scheduling: School tours may be scheduled Wednesdays–Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Group Size: Maximum number of students is 48. Students will be divided into smaller groups before entering the galleries.
Chaperones: One chaperone is required for every 10–12 students.
Support for K–12 Guided Tour Fees
Through the generosity of the Carver Family Education Program Endowment at the Palmer Museum of Art, guided school tours can be offered free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Plan early to take advantage of this funding before it runs out, even if you need to visit later in the school year. Once endowment support has been distributed, the museum’s website and tour request form will indicate that funding is no longer available until the next academic year.
School tour request form below. At least three weeks advance notice is required.
School Tour Request FormEducator Programs
Educator Workshops and other programs offer K–12 teachers the opportunity to explore museum collections, learn about resources and programs available to schools, and enjoy professional development designed to connect visual arts to class curriculum and broader educational goals.
Upcoming Educator Programs:
K–12 Educator Open House: Saturday, October 12 | 1 to 5 p.m.
Free of charge to active K –12 educators. Register in advance.
Join artist Holly Wilson and museum educators to explore the special exhibition MADE IN PA. Discover museum resources for K–12 educators, enjoy independent viewing and discussions in the galleries, and practice suggested lessons in the studio classroom.
Generous support for this program provided by Art Bridges.
Educator Workshop RegistrationLesson Planning Resources
Museum educators and experienced teachers share “tried and true” lesson plans, images, and discussion guides featuring works from the Palmer’s collection or special exhibitions in these online resources.
MADE IN PA Educator Resource Guide
This Educator Resource Guide is designed to connect K-12 educators to themes, resources, and suggested lessons related to the special exhibition MADE IN PA, on view at the Palmer through December 1, 2024.
Generous support for this project was provided by Art Bridges.
MADE IN PA Educator Resource Guide
Global Asias Educator Resource Packet
This resource packet introduces K-12 educators to online resources and lesson plans that explore artists, concepts, and themes featured in Global Asias.
See below for a downloadable PDF of the Global Asias Educator Resource Packet.
Global Asias Educator Resource PacketOnline Resources
Engage with the museum’s collection through virtual tours, online exhibitions, webinars, and art activity videos.
Explore our Online Resources page to prepare for a museum visit or to bring the museum into your classroom. Browse collection-inspired lesson plans created by teachers, for teachers. Use virtual tours for student assignments or to supplement in-class activities and discussions. Spark students’ creativity with art-making tutorial videos, inspired by works of art in the Palmer’s collection.
Online ResourcesEducational programs at the Palmer are made possible by our Friends members! Become a Friend of the Palmer today!