Teacher-Guided Visits
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Frequently Asked Questions
If I have questions before my visit, whom can I ask?
Contact the Museum at [email protected] or 713-639-7835.
How far in advance should I submit my reservation request form?
Reservations for school groups should be requested by submitting the request form two weeks or more in advance of your desired visit date. Availability and space are limited, so be sure to book before planning your trip.
Can I bring my students to visit an exhibition?
Yes, reservations for free tickets to special exhibitions can be made and must be requested when you submit your reservation request form.
Can I request a docent-guided tour?
At this time, guided tours are only offered to 3rd- and 4th-grade students in partnership school districts.
How much does my visit cost?
Teacher-guided visits are free for students, teachers, and 1 chaperone per every 10 students with a reservation made two weeks or more in advance.
How many students can I bring?
On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the maximum number of students that can be accommodated in one reservation is 80. On Saturdays and Sundays, the maximum number of students that can be accommodated in one reservation is 40. Schools that wish to bring groups larger than the maximums may request multiple teacher-guided visits on the same date or on separate dates.
Contact [email protected] in advance for additional assistance booking larger groups.
How many chaperones should I bring?
One adult chaperone per 10 students is required. All chaperones must be approved by the school prior to the school’s visit to the Museum. Approved chaperones must wear the volunteer/visitor sticker badge issued by schools on the day of the scheduled visit to the Museum.
These chaperones receive free admission and must remain with their group for the entire visit.
Can I bring my students to visit during the summer?
During the summer, student groups are welcome to visit the Museum for a teacher-guided visit to the permanent collection or special exhibitions. These teacher-guided visits are free with a reservation made at least two weeks in advance of your desired visit date.
How long will my visit last?
Teacher-guided visits are scheduled for time-specific entry and have no time constraints other than Museum open hours.
What if I need to cancel my visit?
In the event that you must cancel your visit, please email [email protected] or call 713-639-7835 as soon as possible.
Where do we enter and check in?
Yellow school buses, shuttle vans, and mini school buses drop off in the bus lane located at 906 Barkdull Street, Houston, TX 77006, behind the Glassell School of Art. Going north on Montrose from Bissonnet, turn right on Barkdull, and take the first immediate right into the bus lane behind the Glassell Building. See orange route on map.
Large coach buses do not fit in the bus lane. Instead, please unload students in front of The Brown Foundation, Inc. Plaza, 5101 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006. See green route on map.
Where can buses park?
Parking is located at Hermann Park immediately past the Mecom Fountain. After parking, bus drivers may return to the Museum free of charge to join their school groups for the visit. See map.
Where can we eat lunch?
School groups may bring lunches to the Cullen Sculpture Garden, located at the corner of Montrose Boulevard and Bissonnet Street, near the Kinder Building. Please note that we do not have an alternate indoor location available in the event of inclement weather. We encourage groups to plan accordingly.
Can we take photographs?
Video and still photography, without flash, are permitted at the MFAH, solely for private, noncommercial use, and only in Museum galleries that do not have a "no photography" designation. If you have questions about taking a photo in a specific gallery, a guard or other Museum staff can help you determine whether photography is allowed. If your group is interested in taking pictures, allow additional time for photography. Learn more about the Museum’s photography guidelines.
Will there be time to visit the MFA Shop?
Students are welcome to visit the MFA Shop at any point during their teacher-guided visit. 10 students accompanied by at least 1 adult chaperone may enter the shop at one time.
Hearst Foundation “Make the Most of Your Teacher-Guided Visit” Session
At these sessions, teachers and Museum educators collaborate on how best to relate the MFAH art collections to the school curriculum. Each meeting is unique and based on the type of visit the teacher wants to create. Options are as broad as finding art objects that spark curiosity, and as specific as investigations into certain art movements. From art history to chemistry, the MFAH team strives to engage all subject matter in dialogue with works of art, for every grade level. You have goals for your visit, and the Museum is here to help!
[email protected]