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.
General support for School and Teacher programs at PAFA is generously provided by the Connelly Foundation, and the Sylvia W. and Randall M. Kauders Foundation.
The School and Community Partnership Program is funded by major grants from the William Penn Foundation and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additional generous support provided by the Stephen and Carol Canter Family Foundation and the Christian and Mary Lindback 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 to join us for interactive tours and art lessons focused on special exhibitions and themes throughout PAFA’s historic galleries! Activities facilitated by professional museum educators focus on the enhancement of academic curricula highlighting literacy, observation, critical thinking, communication, and social skill development.
Fall 2022 schedule is available!
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.
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.
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.
School and Teacher Programs at PAFA are funded in part the Hearst Foundations, with additional generous support from the Arcadia Foundation, the 1830 Family Foundation, the Amaranth Foundation, and the Connelly Foundation. Lead support for the School and Community Partnership initiative is provided by the William Penn Foundation.
Contact Us
PAFA offers programs for artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels who want to learn about and make art.