Tours
Tours and Programs
Tours are theme based and adapted in consultation with the teacher for the grade level, curriculum standards, and special areas of interest for the class. All tours are FREE and are available from Tuesday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tours last for one hour.
Theme Tours
Schools and groups are invited to tour the Haggin with trained docents. Learn about local history, significant art, and special exhibitions in our beautiful galleries. All docent-led school tours are free. Volunteer docents are also available on weekends for informational tours of the galleries and exhibits. Stop by and say hello!
Little ones art tour
This one hour tour for Kindergarten and 1st graders includes an introduction to the museum, a conversation about art elements, guided looking at paintings in the Haggin Collection, storytelling, and a hands-on art project. It is suitable for one class of 20—30 children at a time.
How to book a tour or program
Docent-led tours feature themes that have been developed in conjunction with grade appropriate curriculum content. They unite exhibits in both the art and history galleries under big ideas while accommodating student interests.
This interactive tour for children from preschool to 1st grade introduces little ones to the museum and uses a variety of activities to engage young viewers. It is suitable for one class of 20—30 children at a time. The one-hour tour includes:
- Introduction to the museum
- A conversation about art elements
- Guided look at paintings in the Haggin Collection
- Storytelling
- Hands-on art project
How to book a tour or program
If you are interested in booking a tour or program, please fill out the Request Form in its entirety and e-mail it to [email protected] at least three weeks in advance of your desired date. During certain times of the year, tours are in high demand and availability may be limited. Request forms will be processed in the order they are received, and it make take up to 2 business weeks for your request to receive a response. If you have any questions, please contact the Education Department at (209) 940-6332.
We can accommodate up to 60 children per one-hour tour at the museum. If your group is larger than that, we will make arrangements for additional tours. Plan to bring at least one adult per 10 children for your tour. The tour group may only be in the building during the hour booked for the tour. We do not have room to accommodate waiting groups inside the museum.
Docents come to your school
Bring the museum into your classroom with a presentation specially designed by the Haggin Education Department and Docents. Choose from either a Slide Show presentation or a Museum2Schools program listed below.
Slide Show
Museum Docents come to your classroom and present an engaging digital slide show. Choose between three programs: California Indians, a General Introduction to the Museum, or All Star Artists at the Haggin Museum. Suitable for any age, these presentations can be made to any size group.
ACORN MAKING • 3RD GRADE
This hands-on program shares the importance of the acorn to Native People with pictures, acorn pounding, a sequencing activity, and a game of chance.
LOOKING AT HORSES IN ART • 3 – 4TH GRADE
Docents introduce the theme of horses in art using images from the Haggin Collection and other museums. Then they lead an interactive discussion making connections between time periods and cultures and the students’ own experiences. The program concludes with a drawing lesson.
LOOKING AT YOUNG PEOPLE IN ART • 5 – 8TH GRADE
Docents present a digital slide show and conduct an interactive discussion about the depiction of young people, their families, friends, and feelings in art. Additionally, the class creates an expressive self-portrait.
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES • 3 – 5TH GRADE
History’s Mysteries is presented by Docents in your classroom or after-school program. Students learn about California history using objects circa 1900 and relating them to items used today. The program was used direct observation, a game and activity.
MAKING SPACE • 3 – 7TH GRADE NEW!!
Making Space explores how artists create the illusion of space in art with a digital slide show and conversation. Students learn how technique contributes to the meaning of the art and use their understanding of pictorial space to create landscape drawings of their own.
