Plan a Field Trip

School Tours at the IMA
Tours of the IMA galleries are available to educational groups (universities, preschools, after-school programs, home school groups and traditional classrooms) for grades preschool and up.

  • All school tours require 3 weeks notice.
  • For every 10 students under the age of 13, 1 adult chaperone is required.
  • Minimum group size for a guided tour is 10 students.
  • School tour hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 am to 3 pm; Friday 11 am to 3 pm. After school and weekend tours are also available upon special request (4 weeks notice is required)
  • Entry to all special exhibitions is subject to capacity restrictions.
  • Transportation assistance is available if you are a participating CAP or Viewfinders school.
  • Limited lunch options are available. Students can purchase lunch in the Museum's IMA Cafe. Groups that bring their own lunches can picnic on the grounds. The Museum has only 1 indoor lunch room that is available on a first come, first served basis. Note lunch preferences on the online school tour request form.
  • All guided tours are conducted by professionally trained volunteer educators (docents) who are specifically assigned to your tour.
  • If students have studied a relevant topic before their visit, and you would like to carry that topic over into their IMA visit, please select the most appropriate theme tour and note this on the online tour request form. All attempts will be made to accommodate the request.
  • If students have an assignment to complete while they are at the Museum, please note this on the online tour request form. Assignments must be completed outside of the tour (i.e. before or after). It is recommended that groups bring clipboards and pencils for their assignments. The IMA will not provide these materials to school groups completing school assignments.

After Your Tour is Finalized
You will receive an email with your tour confirmation attached, and a few days later a confirmation packet (containing tour information sheets, IMA guidelines, parking information, etc.) will arrive in the mail. NOTE: Your tour is not officially scheduled until you receive this confirmation. Please contact the Senior Coordinator of School Services immediately if any of the following occur:

  • Your confirmation packet contains inaccurate information or does not arrive shortly after you scheduled your tour.
  • The number of students who will be visiting IMA changes.
  • You must cancel a scheduled tour.
  • Your arrival is delayed for any reason.

NOTE: Gallery space and docents cannot be guaranteed for groups arriving more than 15 minutes late unless the Museum has been notified of the delayed arrival. The Museum cannot extend tour times to accommodate late arrivals. Your tour will end at the scheduled time regardless of when you arrived.

IMA Guidelines

  • Do not touch any of the works of art. This includes walls and pedestals on which art is displayed.
  • Pens and colored pencils are not allowed in the galleries.
  • Food, beverages and gum are not permitted in the galleries.
  • Bags, purses and backpacks larger than 11 x 15 x 6 inches must be checked or stored in a locker.
  • Photography for private or educational use is permitted of works of art from the Museum's permanent collection with the exception of the IMA's contemporary collection on Gallery Level 3.
  • Use of flashes, tripods and video cameras is not permitted.
  • Photography of special exhibitions and works on loan is not permitted.