Explore options for visits, curricular support, and other resources. On-site guided visits, on-site self-guided visits, and virtual experiences are available. View our Visitor Guidelines.
- K–12 Schools
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Groups can engage in an on-site guided visit or a live virtual experience over Zoom led by a museum educator. Teachers can also lead their own on-site self-guided visit. For any questions, please contact tours@risd.edu. Watch this video to prepare for your visit.
Teachers can browse a selection of K-12 Virtual Visits for videos, outlines of lesson plans, and related PowerPoints to lead a lesson with artworks on your own. Teaching Notes also support instruction across disciplines with information about works of art, discussion questions and activities. Select from Artists’ Ideas, Materials, and Process, Think Like An Archaeologist, Gods and Heroes, Imagining the Americas, RISD STEAM: Discovery through Juxtaposition, and RISD STEAM: Attention and Perception.
On-site one-part guided visits
Guided visits at the museum explore art and design through discussion, writing, or drawing, making connections to different subjects, skills, and interests. Cost is $5 per student. Visits are typically 1 hour.
Click here to view tour theme options under K-12 One-Part Guided Visits.
Request an on-site guided visit
Virtual visits
Using Zoom, museum educators lead explorations of art and design through discussion, writing, or drawing, making connections to different subjects, skills, and interests. Cost is $5 per student. Visits can be 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes.
Click here to view tour theme options under K-12 One-Part Guided Visits.
Combine a virtual visit with an on-site self-guided visit: Cost is $5 per student. Please note your interest when you complete your request form.
Do you have questions about your group’s situation or a tour theme? Please contact tours@risd.edu for assistance.
On-site self-guided visits
Teachers lead their own visits and make connections to learning goals. Self-guided group visits must be booked at least two weeks in advance to allow for necessary planning and safety measures. Cost is $0.
Multi-part guided visits
Guided visits on-site at the museum explore art and design through discussion, writing, or drawing, making connections to different subjects, skills, and interests. An optional classroom visit preceding the museum visit may be available. Visits are typically 90 minutes. Depending on students’ ages, shorter visits can be scheduled.
For Providence public and charter schools:
Cost is $0 for Providence public and charter schools with free transportation arranged by the museum.
For other schools:
Depending on availability, we also offer visits for private schools in Providence and schools outside Providence for $10 per student.
Click here to view tour themes under K-12 Multi-Part Guided Visits.
Request a multi-part guided visit
Virtual visits
Providence public and charter school teachers can schedule a session or multiple sessions led by a museum educator over Zoom. Cost is $0. Depending on availability, we also offer visits for private schools in Providence and schools outside Providence for $5 per student. Visits can be 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes.
Click here to view tour theme options under K-12 Multi-Part Guided Visits.
You can also combine a virtual visit with an on-site self-guided visit. Please note your interest when you complete your request form.
To plan your visit and to address any questions about your group situation or a tour theme for your virtual visit, you can contact schools@risd.edu for assistance.
On-site self-guided visits
Providence public and charter school teachers lead their own visits and make connections to learning goals. Self-guided group visits to the museum must be booked at least two weeks in advance to allow for necessary planning and safety measures. Cost is $0.
Support for teachers to create their own explorations for self-guided visits
Personalize your museum experience to enhance student learning and make connections beyond the classroom by using K-12 Virtual Visits and Teaching Notes.
To discuss ways you can make more curricular connections to your subject area using works of art + museum resources and for assistance developing your own experience or assignment, contact teachers@risd.edu.
- Afterschool, Camp, and Youth Groups
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Groups can engage in an on-site guided visit or a live virtual experience over Zoom led by a museum educator. Group leaders can also lead their own on-site self-guided visit. For any questions, please contact tours@risd.edu. Watch this video to prepare for your visit.
On-site guided visits
Guided visits at the museum explore art and design through discussion, writing, or drawing, making connections to different subjects, skills, and interests. Cost is $5 per student. Visits are typically 1 hour.
Click here to view tour theme options for Afterschool, Camp, and Youth Group Visits.
Request an on-site guided visit
On-site self-guided visits
Group Leaders lead their own visits and make connections to learning goals. Self-guided group visits must be booked at least two weeks in advance to allow for necessary planning and safety measures. Cost is $0.
Virtual visits
Students and Group Leaders can engage in a virtual museum experience over Zoom led by a museum educator. Cost is $5 per student. Visits can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
Click here to view tour theme options under Afterschool, Camp, and Youth Group.
Group Leaders can also browse a selection of free K-12 Virtual Visits for videos, outlines of lesson plans, and related PowerPoints to lead a lesson with artworks on your own. Teaching Notes also support instruction across disciplines with information about works of art, discussion questions and activities. Select from Artists’ Ideas, Materials, and Process, Think Like An Archaeologist, Gods and Heroes, Imagining the Americas, RISD STEAM: Discovery through Juxtaposition, RISD STEAM: Attention and Perception, and more.
- College and University
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RISD Museum staff provide curricular support for faculty across institutions and disciplines. As experts in object-based pedagogy, we help you match your learning goals with museum resources by developing visits, assignments, and projects that range from a single hour to an entire semester. We encourage faculty to consult our Faculty Guide to begin planning and to explore options beyond single visits, then return to this page once you have determined the best type of engagement for your needs.
Online collection and digital publications
Through our online collection, you have access to tens of thousands of works of art and design. Search or browse to find and download images for your classroom and associated interpretive text and related publications. Browse a full list of works currently on view and works that will be added to the galleries, with detailed dates and gallery locations, here. In addition to this resource, you can also support your teaching with our extensive digital projects and publications.
On-site self-guided visits
Lead a conversation with your students or assign them an in-gallery activity. Faculty leading self-guided groups must book in advance to confirm gallery availability and to maintain accurate records.
On-site visit to see works not on view
If works on view are not relevant to your needs, staff can co-facilitate visits with works not on view in one of the Museum’s dedicated study centers or in a virtual format. Staff will work with each faculty member individually to discuss the appropriate modality based on learning goals, object selection, and class size. Because capacity is limited, requests should be made no later than one month in advance and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Adult Groups
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If you’re interested in a virtual visit for an adult group, a customized workshop focused on team development and skill-building for your corporate or educational organization, or if you are a museum or other cultural institution looking for a guided visit, please contact tours@risd.edu with a description of your needs and timeline.
On-site self-guided visitsSelf-guided group visits must be booked at least two weeks in advance to allow for necessary planning and safety measures. Cost is $22 per person.
Virtual visits
A guided virtual visit led by a museum educator offers opportunities for close looking and in-depth discussions. Cost: $25 per person / Museum members $10. Non-profit rate may be applicable, contact us when booking.
Click here to view tour theme options for Adult Visits.
On-site guided visits
A guided visit led by a museum educator offers opportunities for close looking and in-depth discussions. Guided museum visits are $25 per person; museum members $10. Non-profit rate may be applicable, contact us when booking.
Click here to view tour theme options for Adult Visits.
Request an on-site guided visit