Reserve a school tour or workshop at
the Nelson-Atkins.
Field trips to the Nelson-Atkins allow school-aged students to develop their creativity and gain valuable new perspectives on art, culture, and historical contexts. The Nelson-Atkins offers two kinds of school visit: tours and workshops.
During school tours, students explore the galleries and learn about the art through deep and interactive discussion. School workshops combine gallery exploration with fun and meaningful artmaking in a classroom setting.
Workshops
Workshops are free for Title I schools (see registration details below). For schools who are not designated Title I, they cost $120 per 15 students. They are 90 minutes and held Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 am and 12:30 pm.
Group requirements
Classrooms have a 15 student maximum, though you may book multiple rooms.
One chaperone is required for every 15 students — and no more than two chaperones per 15 students. The ideal chaperone assists with group behavior management. Paraeducators, children, and siblings under 18 years are not eligible to be chaperones.
Types of workshops
Each workshop is designed for a specific age-range and teaches unique skills and concepts. See a full list of workshops offered.
Although we offer suggested age ranges, workshops can be adapted for students above those ranges with advance notice. If you have such a request, make note of it in the “Notes” field during checkout.
Workshop registration
Workshops must be booked at least 21 days in advance.
To submit a registration request, browse our offered workshops and open one that you’d like to book. Select a day or time for when you’d like to visit, then complete the registration process.
NOTE: Please submit only one workshop request per order. Additional requests can be submitted separately.
After submitting, you will receive an email acknowledging the request. We will let you know within 10 business days if any changes are needed. A reminder email will be sent one week before your field trip.
If your school is classified as a schoolwide Title I school in Kansas or Missouri, you are eligible for a $250 stipend to offset trip expenses and waived workshop fees. At checkout, click “Redeem now” under Apply a discount and enter the discount code TITLE1.
Supplemental resources
Additional resources are available for each workshop including suggested outcomes, curriculum, vocabulary, and pre and post-visit activities.
Shapes and Colors (Pre-K – Grade 1)
My Mythical Creature (Grades K – 3)
Indigenous Designs (Grades 2 – 4)
Museum Explorers (Grades 3 – 5)
Scribble Bots (Grades 5 and up)
Personality Portraits (Grades 5 and up)
Find more downloadable resources through our Educator Resource Center
Cancellations and changes
Workshop cancellations require a minimum notice of three business days prior to the scheduled visit. Groups who cancel without three days’ notice will not receive a refund unless the museum or school is closed due to weather.
21 days’ advance notice is required for submitting any changes to your scheduled workshop.
To cancel or make a change to your scheduled workshop, please email studioworkshops@nelson-atkins.org. Please include your name, phone number, confirmation number, name of school, and date and time of your scheduled visit.
Tours
Guided and self-guided tours are free and available for students in grades 3-12. Tours are offered year-round, Wednesday through Monday, and typically last about 75 minutes.
Group requirements
Each tour has a maximum of 60 students unless otherwise noted. Groups must be divided into a ratio of 15 students per 1 docent.
One chaperone is required for every 10 students — and no more than two chaperones per 10 students. The ideal chaperone assists with group behavior management and gallery transitions. Paraeducators and anyone under 18 years are not eligible to be chaperones.
Types of tours
The Nelson-Atkins offers school tours for a range of grade levels, each covering a unique topic or gallery in the museum. Browse school tours.
Guided and self-guided options
Teachers may opt to lead tours themselves or book a tour led by a museum docent at no additional charge. Docent-led tours provide structured activities and open-ended discussion about art and the collection. Teacher-led and docent-led tours both require advance registration.
Teacher-led start times
M/Th/Fri | 11:15 am, 1:15 pm, 3:30 pm
Sat/Sun | 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 1 pm, 3 pm
Docent-led start times
M/W/Th/Fri | 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 12:15 pm, 1:15 pm, 3:30 pm;
Sat/Sun | 10:15 a.m, 11:15 a.m, 1pm, 3 pm
Tour registration
Tours must be booked at least 21 days in advance.
To submit a registration request, browse our offered tours and open one that you’d like to book. Select a day or time for when you’d like to visit, then complete the registration process.
NOTE: Please submit only one tour request per order. Additional requests can be submitted separately.
After submitting, you will receive an email acknowledging the request. We will let you know within 10 business days if any changes are needed. A reminder email will be sent one week before your field trip.
If your school is classified as a schoolwide Title I school in Kansas or Missouri, you are eligible for a $250 stipend to offset trip expenses. No action is necessary on your part — the stipend will be automatically applied to qualifying schools.
Supplemental resources
Additional resources are available for each tour including pre- and post-visit activity suggestions, relevant vocabulary terms, and other support materials.
Ancient Odysseys Classroom Connections
Beyond the Buffalo Classroom Connections
Chinese Collection Classroom Connections
Making of America Classroom Connections
Sacred and Secular Classroom Connections
Seen and Unseen Classroom Connections
Find more downloadable resources through our Educator Resource Center
Cancellations and changes
Tour cancellations must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
21 days’ advance notice is required for submitting any changes.
To cancel or make a change to your scheduled tour, please email tours@nelson-atkins.org. Please include your name, phone number, confirmation number, name of school, and date and time of your scheduled visit.
Lunches
The Nelson-Atkins does not have indoor dining spaces for school groups bringing lunches with them. School groups are welcome to eat sack lunches outdoors. In the case of inclement weather, the museum cannot provide an indoor eating space. Middle and high school groups of up to 25 students are welcome to make a reservation at Rozzelle Court Restaurant two weeks before their field trip.
Contact studioworkshops@nelson-atkins.org for reservations or more information.
Opportunities for Title I schools
Incentive Grant Program
Schoolwide Title I schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area are eligible for the Nelson-Atkins’ Incentive Grant Program, which provides a $250 stipend to offset trip expenses and underwrites workshop fees for classified schoolwide Title I schools in Missouri and Kansas. A minimum of 15 students is necessary to receive the grant.
View the lists of Title I schools in Kansas and Missouri for eligibility. If you believe your school has been left off a list in error, please contact incentive@nelson-atkins.org.
Thinking Through Art partnership
The Nelson-Atkins partners with Title I elementary schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area to provide year-long, classroom-based arts integration called Thinking Through Art. Participating teachers receive training before the start of the program and a stipend to offset expenses related to their museum visit. Learn more about the program and its benefits.