We are currently taking requests for school group guided tours and self-guided visits to occur through June 30, 2013. Appointments are required of all school groups visiting the Museum. All requests for guided tours must be submitted using the Guided Tour Request Form. For more information, see Guided Tours. All requests for self-guided visits must be submitted using the Self-Guided Visit Request Form. For more information, see Self-Guided Visits.
If you have any questions, you may email schoolvisits@metmuseum.org. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information.
See information about group visits to The Cloisters museum and gardens.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's school tour program is made possible by the generosity of Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman.
Guided Tours
Students and teachers may explore the collection with a Museum staff member, who leads discussions and exercises designed to encourage critical thinking in response to original works of art. Tours are appropriate for the group's grade, level of ability, and subject of interest. Guided tours are offered and recommended for students who are at or above first-grade level and last about an hour.
Group Size
A group may have no fewer than 10 students and no more than 50 students, with one chaperone required for every 10 students. Special education groups may have fewer than 10 students and require one chaperone for every 9 students.
Group Fee
All fees are waived for schools located within the five boroughs of New York City. Schools outside New York City pay regular group rates:
- Students: $15 each
- One teacher per reservation receives complimentary admission.
- Required adult chaperones (one for every 10 students): $15 each
- Any additional adults: $28 each
- Groups of 15 or fewer: $225 flat fee
The Museum reserves the right to limit the number of adults participating in school group guided tours. Membership and other discounts do not apply to group admission.
Tour Schedule
Guided tours are conducted Tuesday through Friday, 9:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. A limited number of guided tours for high school students are available Tuesday through Thursday at 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Tours for GED groups are conducted Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday, 9:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9:45 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Special Education Classes
Guided tours are adapted to the varying needs of the students. The required staff-to-student ratio is one to nine. The tours are available Tuesday through Friday, 9:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and last approximately one hour. A tactile experience is available for students who are blind or partially sighted. Sign Language interpreters can be provided for students who are Deaf. Please indicate these requests on the online request form.
Topics for Grades 1–3
These thematic tours introduce primary grade students to a variety of art from different cultures. Sketching is included. All materials are provided by the Museum.
- Discovering the World of Art (recommended for first-time visitors to the Museum)
Begins the process of looking at a work of art and initiates a visual vocabulary.
- Communities around the World
Looks at and discusses works of art that depict families and communities around the world.
- Exploring the Five Senses
Combines the senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste in an exploration of objects from around the world.
- Faces, Masks, Hats, and Headdresses
Views a wide variety of objects that cover, adorn, or depict the human image.
- A Look at Animals
Includes a discussion about how art from various cultures portrays members of the animal kingdom, as well as the different materials used to make the works.
- Observing the Four Seasons
Examines paintings, the role of the artist, and the use of color in portraying seasonal motifs.
- Shape, Line, and Color
Explores how artists' use of shape, line, and color affects two- and three-dimensional works.
- Stories in Art
Observes narrative in works of art.
Topics for Grades 4–12
Students explore works of art through close observation and inquiry-based discussion.
A Wider View: Cross-Cultural Tours
- Exploring Art: An Introduction to the Met's Collection (recommended for first-time visitors to the Museum)
- Art of the Ancient World (Discuss art from three of the following cultures: Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East.)
- Asian Art: China, Korea, Japan, and India
- European Art
A Closer Look: Culture-Specific Tours
- African Art
- American Art
- Ancient Egyptian Art
- Ancient Greek and Roman Art
- Ancient Near Eastern Art
- Art of China (Please note that the Chinese art galleries are currently under renovation. They will reopen to school groups in spring 2014.)
- Art of India
- Art of Japan
- Art of Native North America (groups limited to 25 people maximum)
- Art of the Ancient Americas
- Art of the Islamic World
- French Art
- Italian Art
- Medieval Art
- Modern Art
- Musical Instruments and Art
- Oceanic Art
- Renaissance Art
- Spanish Art
World of Art: Afternoon Guided Tours for High School Students
Students in grades 9–12 explore relationships among works of art from diverse cultures through thematic conversations. Upon arrival, students are divided into small discussion groups. (Tuesday through Thursday, 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. only; group size is limited to 30 students.)
- The Artist Speaks
- Power and Faith
- The Human Figure
GED groups may choose from the Grades 4–12 and World of Art topics above. For additional topics, see Community Group Programs. Tours for GED groups are conducted Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday, 9:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9:45 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Self-Guided Visits
Teachers and their students may explore the Museum's encyclopedic collection independently. Please note that self-guided visits also require appointments.
Group Size
A self-guided group may have no fewer than 10 students and no more than 50 students, with one chaperone required for every 10 students. Each school is limited to one group of up to 50 students per day.
Group Fee
All fees are waived for schools located within the five boroughs of New York City. Schools outside New York City pay regular group rates:
- Students: $9 each
- One teacher per reservation receives complimentary admission.
- Required adult chaperones (one for every 10 students): $9 each
- Any additional adults: $20 each
Membership and other discounts do not apply to group admission.
Self-Guided Visit Schedule
Self-guided appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. The Museum cannot guarantee access to all galleries at all times.
Museum Gallery Choices
Use the links below to selected pre-visit guides that will help you prepare for your self-guided visit with your students.
About Your Visit
To Request a School Group Visit
We are currently taking requests for school group guided tours and self-guided visits to occur through June 30, 2013. Appointments are required of all school groups visiting the Museum.
To request a guided tour appointment, please complete a Guided Tour Request Form.
To request a self-guided visit appointment, please complete a Self-Guided Visit Request Form. All teachers who participate in a K–12 educator program offered by the Museum will receive priority registration for self-guided visits to the Museum.
If you have any questions, you may email schoolvisits@metmuseum.org. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information.
Visit Preparation
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Met before bringing your students for a visit. This website includes several valuable resources, including a listing of curatorial departments, a searchable collections database, and the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. You may also participate in one of our K–12 educator programs or visit the Museum's Nolen Library.
You can also see the Museum Map or download a Family Map (PDF).
Please see Group Responsibilities and Guidelines before bringing your group to the Museum.
Cancellation Policy
All requests to change or cancel existing reservations must be made in writing via email to schoolvisits@metmuseum.org. In the email include your name, your telephone number, the six-digit confirmation number, name of the school, and date and time of the visit. Fees cannot be refunded to groups that cancel with less than 2 weeks' notice.
Lunch facilities are not available within the Museum.
We regret that the Museum does not have indoor lunchroom facilities. Students are welcome to eat in neighboring Central Park. Bag lunches will be stored while you are in the galleries, but please plan to eat outside, on the bus, or at school before or after your visit.
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
School groups are also welcome at The Cloisters museum and gardens. All group visits require reservations. Please call 212-650-2280 to schedule a group visit. You may also download the group visits brochure (PDF) for more information.
