Schools and Teachers Programs
PAFA serves thousands of students and teachers each year, through a combination of museum visits, outreach programs, and art-making lessons.
These museum activities enhance, enrich, and expand classroom learning.
Contact email: museumeducation@pafa.org
School and Teacher/Youth and Family Programs at PAFA are generously supported by the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Connelly Foundation, the Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders Foundation, the Robert Lehman Foundation, and Lincoln Financial Foundation.
Museum Tours and Art Lessons are generously supported by the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, along with general support for School and Teacher Programs from the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Connelly Foundation, the Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders Foundation, the Robert Lehman Foundation, and Lincoln Financial Foundation.
Museum Tours and Art Lessons
PAFA offers interactive, skill-based tours and art lessons for Pre-K through 12th grade students, led by professional art educators. Grounded in our collection of American art from the 18th century to the present, each museum tour is centered on developing visual thinking skills and meets significant goals in National Common Core curriculum standards.
Art Encounters Programs for K-5
Homeschool and Cyberschool families and educators are invited for interactive tours and art lessons focused on special exhibitions and themes throughout PAFA’s galleries! Activities facilitated by professional museum educators focus on the enhancement of academic curricula highlighting literacy, observation, critical thinking, communication, and social skill development.
Available upon request. Please email fieldtrips@pafa.org
Virtual Tours & Art Lessons
Take your students on a virtual field trip of PAFA’s museum collection and Historic Landmark Building. Our live 45 minute online sessions will engage your students with artwork from the permanent collection and special exhibitions, as well as the museum’s history and architecture.
Available upon request. Please email fieldtrips@pafa.org
School and Community Partnerships
PAFA provides supplemental educational programming to support student learning, parental engagement, and visual literacy initiatives for predominantly bilingual audiences in the Feltonville and Kensington neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
Student Docent Program (Grades 7-12)
The Student Docent Program is a partnership between PAFA and select schools in which 7–12th grade students are trained to become tour guides for their classmates during a museum visit. Over the course of several weeks, Student Docents hone their observation, critical thinking, leadership, and presentations skills while learning inquiry-based tour strategies.
Available upon request. Please email fieldtrips@pafa.org
Teacher Education & Professional Development
We offer professional development programs aligned with the themes of our lessons and your curriculum. Participating teachers receive 3 hours of Act 48 credit.
Please email fieldtrips@pafa.org to check availability