Menu

School Programs

TAM believes all students are artists with the power to make meaningful connections by looking at, discussing, and creating works of art!

Our team of Educators offer a variety of ways to engage with your students, whether on a field trip to the museum or on-site at your school.

We use a learner-based method called Visual Thinking Strategies, or VTS, when teaching with visual artworks in our collection and exhibitions, both past and present. This method encourages critical thinking, builds community by allowing students to share different points of view, and gives space for students to build their voice and literacy skills. After thoughtful close-looking and discussion, students have the opportunity to further explore their ideas and experiment with different art processes through hands-on activities.

Our educational programs support Common Core Learning Standards. We can tailor workshops to you, whatever your curricular needs!

To schedule your trip to TAM or have our educators visit your classroom, please contact education@tacomaartmuseum.org or 253-272-4258 x3063

We strive to make our educational programs accessible to all, so if financial support is needed, please let us know!

Request a School Program Online


Note: TAM is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. School tours can only be scheduled Wednesday-Friday.


How to Book Your Visit to TAM

Currently, we accommodate up to 50 students and staff on a field trip to the Museum. Our programs take about 2 hours, including a guided gallery tour with our Educators and an artmaking activity. Lunch space is available upon request. Note: TAM is closed on Mondays-Tuesdays and tours can only be scheduled on Wednesday-Friday.

Please allow 3 weeks advance notice when scheduling your visit to TAM. You can register here to start the process. Preview our current exhibitions here.

School Tour Costs

  • STUDENT TOURS are $10/student, $7/student for Title I schools. 
  • CHAPERONES are $5/chaperone, one free per 10 students, for Title I schools’ chaperones are 1 free per 5 students. 
  • For questions, please contact education@tacomaartmuseum.org or 253-272-4258 x3063
  • Tacoma Creates offers transportation funding opportunities for those within Pierce County
  • Free lunch space is available.

Bring TAM into Your Classroom!

Schedule TAM to bring the museum experience into your classroom with a dynamic hands-on workshop led by our educators! Projects are tailored to your curricular needs, and all materials are provided!

Half and full-day visits are available! Financial support is available as well; please contact us!

TAM also now offers virtual workshops! Please contact us for more details on how to schedule one.

For cost information and to learn more about all of our programs and how you can schedule TAM to visit your school, please contact education@tacomaartmuseum.org or 253-272-4258 x3063

Teacher Professional Development

Our Teacher Professional Development programs offers educators an opportunity to learn how to use art as an interdisciplinary tool for teaching in your classroom. Training consists of learning about Visual Thinking Strategies, or VTS, a learner-based method of teaching with art, learning about how it connects with the school curriculum, and how you can apply these tools to revitalize your educational materials for students.

Please contact us for upcoming Teacher Professional Development opportunities at TAM!

To schedule a workshop at your school, please contact education@tacomaartmuseum.org or 253-272-4258 x3063. Please allow 3 weeks advance notice when scheduling a professional development workshop at your school.


More Information


For more Education and Family Programming sign up here!

* indicates required

 


School and teacher programs are generously supported by Tacoma Creates and ArtsWA.

Logos for school and teacher program sponsors Tacoma Creates and ArtsWA