School Groups

A BMA educator leads children in conversation in the galleries.

The BMA offers a range of tour options for school groups, including Guided Tours and Self-Guided Tours. Our engaging tours offer experiences with art that inspire creativity, sharpen observation and foster critical thinking, and explore the human stories of art.

BMA tours are free and open to all school groups. Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling is required for both guided and self-guided tours. For guided group tours, please book your tour at least six weeks prior to the date you are requesting. For self-guided group tours, please book your tour at least two weeks prior to the date you are requesting.

Baltimore City Public Schools: Free Buses to the BMA!
The BMA is delighted to partner with Arts Every Day again this year to cover the cost of transportation for a limited number of Baltimore City Public School classes visiting for one-time school tours. Please indicate on your Tour Request Form if you would like to be considered for a free bus.

We look forward to seeing you in the galleries!

Guided Pre-K–12 & University Tours

The BMA invites Pre-K-12 and university students and their teachers to participate in Guided Tours led by trained Docents (volunteer gallery teachers).

Guided tours are offered to groups of 10 or more students Wednesday through Friday beginning at 10 am, and generally last one hour. Groups will be divided into smaller groups of 10-15 students if necessary.

About a week before your visit, a Docent will contact you to learn about your goals and expectations for your tour, to plan a tailored learning experience.

Please inform the Education Coordinator if:

• Your students would like to eat lunch in the Sculpture Garden
• You plan to stay in the Museum after your guided tour is finished
• You have students with special needs
• Your students are part of an ESOL or ESL program
• Wheelchair access is needed

Request a School Tour Explore Tour Topics Prepare for your visit

Self-Guided Tours

Lead your own tour of the Museum. Bring a group and explore together. Leaders of self-guided groups may lecture in the galleries, although BMA Guided Tours have priority over the objects and the spaces.

Recommendations for Self-Guided Tours

• Visit the BMA before your scheduled visit to make plans.
• Take advantage of our free online teacher resources for preparation, pre-visit activities, or follow-up activities.

Self-Guided Tours are free, but must be booked at least two weeks in advance by completing our tour request form.

Request a Self-Guided Tour Prepare for your visit

Partnership Programs

Close Encounters: Partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools

Close Encounters is a multiple-visit program with Baltimore City Public Schools that supports close looking, creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills inspired by the works of art in the BMA collection. Fourth grade students participate in a pre-visit classroom experience, engage in three interactive tours of artworks in the Museum, and create original artworks in a studio setting.

Close Encounters Baltimore City Public Schools submit applications in the Spring for participation in the following school year. To apply to become a Close Encounters school, please contact Suzy Wolffe, Manager of School and Teacher Programs at 443-573-1824 or email swolffe@artbma.org.

Developing Language & Literacy Through the Arts

Developing Language & Literacy through the Arts (DLLA) is an early learning program administered by Baltimore County Public Schools. The BMA collection forms the core of the six-to-ten week DLLA curriculum for Pre-K and K students. Its purpose is to foster the development of communication skills of four-and five-year-olds through active discussions about art. DLLA units culminate with an exciting Docent-led tour at the BMA in which students encounter the works of art they studied in the classroom.

For more information on the DLLA program, please contact the Office of Fine Arts, Baltimore County Public Schools, at 410-887-4030.

Baltimore City Public Schools: Free Buses to the BMA!

This school year, the BMA is delighted to partner with Arts Every Day to cover the cost of transportation for a limited number of Baltimore City Public School classes visiting for one-time school tours. Please go to ArtsEveryDay.org for more information and to request a tour and bus. Looking forward to seeing you at the Museum!