For school groups from kindergarten through university. 

The Toledo Museum of Art offers guided tours for K–12 students and university groups, led by trained volunteer Docents. 

Tours connect classroom learning with global art and culture, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

Each tour focuses on about five works of art, allowing time for observation, discussion, and reflection. Docents guide students through interactive strategies like open-ended questions, discussion, drawing, and small group activities.

Tour Topics by Grade Level: 

K-5th Grade:

• Art of Seeing Art (60 min)

  • Using the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design as vocabulary, unlock the meaning of images. 

• Art Tells a Story (60 min)

  • Identify the roles of plot, character, setting, and sequence as applied by visual artists. Use writing prompts and gallery activities to tell a story about a work of art. 

• Creatures Great and Small (60 min)

  • Explore the importance of animals, real and imaginary, in art from various cultures. 

• Paintagories (60 min)

  • Discover that paintings—like books, movies, and music— can be categorized in a variety of ways. 

• STEAM: Bringing it All Together (60 min)

  • Learn how artists connect problem-solving and design by integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into art.  

6-12th Grade:

• Art Around the World (60 min)

  • Examine art from around the world. Students will learn about cultures from across time and geography. 

• Art of Seeing Art (60 min)

  • Using the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design as vocabulary, unlock the meaning of images. 

• Ekphrastic Writing (60 min)

  • Enhance creative and critical thinking skills by writing poems in response to works of art. 

• Molten Magic (90 min)

  • Learn how different cultures throughout history have made and used glass. Explore the galleries in the Glass Pavilion and see a glassblowing demonstration; tour and demonstration are 45 minutes each. 

• STEAM: Bringing it All Together (60 min)

  • Learn how artists connect problem-solving and design by integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into art.  

University: 

• General Highlights (60 min)

• Glass Pavilion Highlights (60 min)

• Classical Art Highlights (60 min)

• Contemporary Art Highlights (60 min)

We can accommodate K–12 homeschool groups for Docent-led tours. Homeschool groups will be charged $50 for their Docent-led tour. Pre-K groups can check out our Family Center. Volunteer Docents will guide your group to discover art from cultures and makers that contribute to an inclusive global history. Our guided tours help spark student imagination through guided looking and curiosity through collaborative activities that support curriculum.

Docents use approximately five works of art. This focused approach gives students time to develop observation skills and critical thinking. We engage students through a range of learning strategies, including open-ended and guided questioning, conversation, small group activities, drawing, and writing.

For adult organizations, community groups, families, or friends. 

Experience the museum with family, friends, or colleagues by scheduling a private tour with a volunteer Docent. Tours last about one hour, and you can choose from a variety of topics. While admission to the museum is free, the following rates apply to private tours; additional fees may apply for tours of special exhibitions.

Number of Visitors / Fee

• 5-15 people / $150 fee

• 16-30 people / $250 fee

• 31-45 people / $350 fee

• 46-60 people / $450 fee

Larger groups can be accommodated on a similar rate schedule.

Tour Topics:

• Contemporary Art Highlights (60 min)

• General Highlights (60 min)

• Glass Pavilion Highlights (60 min)

• Sculpture Garden (60 min)

For groups who prefer to explore the museum independently. 

Want to bring a group to the museum, but don't need a Docent tour guide? Explore the galleries at your own pace, but please register your group in advance. 

We provide self-guided resources for groups visiting which include scavenger hunts and limited lesson plans for educators. 

If you are an educator we encourage you to check out our educator resources here.

Click here to learn more about tour accessibility at TMA. 

Touch Tours

In collaboration with the Sight Center, these tours are free and designed for guests who are blind or have low vision to engage with works of art. 

Each tour includes the opportunity to touch select works in the TMA galleries and have a guided discussion with trained Docents. All tours are Docent-led and must be scheduled in advance. 

Docents can accommodate a maximum of two guests for this tour type.

Register for a Touch Tour here.

We can accommodate groups of 5 up to 50 guests through December 1st. After December 1st Docent-led tours will pause but self-guided groups will continue with an adjusted group size limit of 30 guests.

At least one adult chaperone is required per 10 students. 

Parking at TMA is free to all visitors thanks to a generous donation from the Taylor Automotive Family, honoring the late Julie Taylor.  

For tours in the Green Building, the nearest parking is Lot #1, accessible from Art Museum Drive. 

For tours in the Glass Pavilion, the closest parking is Lot #6, located off Parkwood Avenue. 

Bus and large van parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in lot #7 on West Woodruff Ave. 

We suggest your bus driver drop-off guests and return for pick-up at a pre-arranged time.

Please note that the museum opens at 11 AM and early entry is not permitted. 

Public Lunch Areas:

Currently the museum offers limited public tables located inside the Plough entrance near the Family Center. Public tables are also available outdoors. These tables are available on a first come, first served basis. If groups need an indoor space, we apologize, but we will not be able to accommodate you at this time. If possible, we recommend planning lunch back at school before or after your visit. 

There is not a private area to store coolers or food items aside from the coatrooms. 

For an indoor space nearby, we encourage groups to look into Metroparks Toledo or the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

Private Lunch Areas: 

Groups are welcome to rent a private room at the Toledo Museum of Art through the events team by visiting: https://toledomuseum.org/about/host-an-event

Lunch in the Café: 

Please contact the café by calling 419-255-7804 or via email at 

cafereservations@toledomuseum.org to book your reservation today!

We can accommodate K–12 homeschool groups for Docent-led tours. Homeschool groups will be charged $50 for their Docent-led tour. Pre-K groups can check out our Family Center.

Unfortunately, our volunteer Docents are not trained to tour Pre-K groups. Pre-K groups are welcome to check out our Family Center. 

Our volunteer Docents are unable to accept tips, but you are welcome to make a donation to support the museum’s educational programming.

• Please talk! Get excited about art. Discussion leads to better understanding and appreciation.

• Stay about two feet away from artwork and do not touch.

• Backpacks, large purses, satchels, umbrellas, and other bulky items are not permitted in the galleries. Please check them at the door prior to your tour.

• Laser pointers are prohibited in the galleries.

• Please walk, not run, through the galleries.

• Handheld, non-flash photo and video cameras are welcome in the permanent collection galleries.

• Eating and drinking are permitted only in designated areas.

• Chewing gum and tobacco products are not permitted in the museum.

Learn more about the museum's guidelines here.