Tips for a Successful Tour

Make your art museum tour successful for you and your kids!

Parent Involvement

Please come prepared to be an active participant in each lesson and follow these few easy guidelines:

• Silence cell phones
• Plan a trip to the lavatory before the lesson begins
• Keep your distance from objects and avoid blocking doors and stairwells (the security guards will appreciate this the most!)
• Have fun with your kids, it is an opportunity to learn with your child!!

Arrival
Weekly art lessons will at a different museum.  You will receive an e-mail reminding you of the museum and the location.  Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the lesson to ensure that you are ready to begin on-time.

Inclement Weather
If DC Public Schools are canceled or delayed the session will be rescheduled and you will be notified via e-mail.

Storing Your Belongings
Your educator will arrive 15 minutes early in order to direct you to locker rooms and lavatories, but will not be available to assist you once the lesson begins.  You may also visit a museum’s website to learn the location of lavatories and lockers.

Please Be Advised
Children may encounter nudity, mature themes and objects from other cultural and religious traditions.  Art Within Reach prides itself on handling such matters in an age-appropriate and in a culturally sensitive manner.  If you are concerned, however, please feel free to contact us prior to your first lesson.

Security
Your bags will be subject to search by a museum guard before entering any Smithsonian museum or the National Gallery of Art.  Please keep this in mind when planning your travel time to the museum.

Other Groups in the Museum
Art Within Reach has made self-guided tour reservations with the participating museums but because we are attending public institutions there is no guarantee that we will be the only group in a gallery.  We will do their best to reroute groups if necessary, but please be understanding and considerate if we need to share a gallery.