School Tours
Calling all schools, after school programs, and community organizations! Spark your students’ curiosity, creativity, and collaboration with a field trip or virtual tour of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Students will make meaningful connections with works of art, foster intercultural understanding, and develop critical thinking skills through close looking activities, thought provoking questions, and lively conversation.
From field trips with docent-led tours to self-guided visits to virtual tours, your group can experience the museum in a variety of ways. (Tours address Sunshine State Standards, Duval County STEAM Standards, and 21st Century Skills.)
Contact us at SchoolTours@cummermuseum.org for more information.
Tour Themes
Pre-Kindergarten
My Outdoor World
Explore the outdoor world through art, music, literature, and movement, while investigating our relationship with animals, plants, and the St. Johns River.
Kindergarten and Grade 1
The Art of Portraiture
Before photography, portraits were the only way to record someone’s appearance. View portraits from different cultures and time periods and learn about each individual’s identity and background through clues like facial expressions, clothing and hairstyles.
Grades 2 and 3
Elements of Art
Explore the building blocks that artists use to create their work. Learn how connected lines create two-dimensional shapes and shapes in three dimensions create forms.
Grade 4 through Grade 12
Celebrating Black Artists
Black artists, activists, and teachers from Jacksonville and beyond have made significant artistic contributions to our community’s history. Explore topics of inclusion and representation through examining the creativity of notable black artists.
Middle Through High School
General Art History
Examine and discuss a variety of works ranging from an Ancient Egyptian stele to paintings by 20th century masters. [Geared for classes studying Art History]
Museum Highlights
Explore the Museum’s diverse collection of works—from ancient objects and historically significant gardens to works by contemporary artists.
Special Exhibitions
Guided tours include a stop in one of our special exhibitions when the subject or concept aligns with the tour theme.
2022-23 Special Exhibitions
April 2022 through January 2024
March 2022 through January 2023
March through November 13, 2022
September 16 through December 4, 2022
October 22, 2022 through January 22, 2023
Make the Museum part of your School Year!
Tours are offered Tuesday through Friday, October through May.
Field Trips
Guided tours at the Cummer, led by trained Docents, engage students in close looking and artful thinking with art and gardens throughout the Museum’s campus. During the guided tour, students document and respond to artwork through a journal they take back to class. While at the Museum, groups divide into smaller touring groups of 15 students or less. Please bring 2 adult chaperones for each touring group.
Guided in-person tours are 60 minutes. School groups of up to 60 students are $120 per touring group of 15 students. Book your guided tour now!
Self-guided visits at the Cummer let your group explore the Museum on your own at your own pace. Scavenger Hunts are available to help direct your experience through the galleries and gardens.
Self-guided visits are available Tuesday through Friday all year long. $6 per person, minimum of 10 people. Please bring 2 adult chaperones per 15 students. Book your self-guided visit now!
Virtual Tours
Guided live virtual tours allow students to explore five to seven artworks and gardens up close from the comfort of their classroom.
Guided virtual tours last 60 minutes. $100 per classroom.
Email SchoolTours@cummermuseum.org to book your guided virtual tour now!
School Tours – Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have materials to help me prepare my students for our visit?
Educator resource packets are available at: https://www.cummermuseum.org/visit/education#teacher-resources. The packets include an overview of what you and your students will experience while at the Museum as well as content standards and relevant vocabulary addressed during your tour. Pre- and post-visit activities are also included for you to complete before and after your visit.
What time is my tour and what time should I arrive?
Tours are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and last 60 minutes. Arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow time for check-in. For virtual tours, access the platform five minutes before tours are scheduled to begin.
If your group is running late, we will need to shorten your tour to fit within the time allotted. If you need to leave early, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may adjust your experience for optimal results.
Your tour time and date will be in your confirmation email. If any information changes on your end, such as participation numbers, contact schooltours@cummermuseum.org immediately.
Will I need to divide my class or group?
Guided in-person tours:
Classes and groups will be split into groups of no more than 15 students in each touring group, plus 2 chaperones. The classes and groups will be split the following way:
15 students or less = 1 touring group
16-30 students = 2 touring groups
31-45 students = 3 touring groups
46-60 students = 4 touring groups
Guided virtual tours:
Every virtual tour is for one classroom or homeroom group. No need to split into smaller groups.
How many teachers/chaperones do I need to bring for each touring group and what will chaperones do?
Please bring 2 adult chaperones per 15 students.
During the tour chaperones assist in monitoring the students and handing materials out.
When and where do I pay for my tour?
Your group can choose to pay for your tour at the time of check-in (credit card, cash, or check) or be invoiced after the tour.
Are scholarships available?
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Museum has funds available to provide free tours and transportation for Title I and select schools and community organizations in Duval and surrounding counties. Please email SchoolTours@cummermuseum.org to learn more about eligibility.
Can we bring our lunch and eat in the gardens?
The Museum does not have a picnic area for groups to eat lunch. However, there are two parks (Memorial Park and Riverside Park) within walking distance that are great options.
School Tour Presenting Sponsors
J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver
The Dianne T. and Charles E. Rice Family Foundation
Ida Broward Boyd and Crowther Mann Boyd Endowment
Student Tours Lead Sponsor
Jacksonville Equity and Placemaking Advised Fund
Community First Credit Union
Student Tours Sponsor
Cummer Amelia
Cummer Beaches
Swisher International
Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts
Rosenberg Family Foundation