Student-centered tours explore original works of art and promote:

• Close looking and thoughtful observation
• Conversation and personal response
• Analytical and creative thinking
• An appreciation for and understanding of art from a variety of cultures

FREE tours correlate with the Alabama Courses of Study in visual art, social studies, language arts, mathematics, and science. Admission to the Museum is free.

Combine your visit with a trip to another insitution!

If you would like to expand your field trip to include a visit to another nearby organization such as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Children's Theater, the McWane Science Center, the Southern Museum of Flight, Vulcan Park, or Sloss Furnaces, the Museum is happy to work with you on timing. Just ask!

Group Tour Scheduling

There are three ways to schedule a tour:

• Register online by clicking here.
• Email Lauren Williams, Education Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Contact the Museum’s Education Department by phone at 205.254.2964.

PLEASE SCHEDULE AT LEAST THREE WEEKSIN ADVANCE. Tour bookings are made on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tours are not confirmed until you receive a confirmation letter by mail.

FREE tours are available from 10am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Friday; Saturday 10am to 3:30pm; and Sunday noon to 3:30pm.  All groups are admitted FREE to the Museum except for ticketed special exhibitions.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If it is necessary to cancel a booked tour, you must notify the Museum at least 24 hours in advance. If your group does not cancel a confirmed tour prior to 24 hours of the tour, the group will be invoiced $50 for a late cancellation fee.

Want to tour on your own?

Self-guided groups are welcome to visit the Museum on their own. Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve your space at least three weeks in advance. Gallery space is limited.

Accessibility & Special Needs

The Museum is fully accessible to all visitors. All tours can be adapted to accommodate your group. Please share information regarding the needs of your group when making your reservation. Please click here for more information about accessibility.

Lunch Facilities

The Museum does not have a lunchroom facility. If you need a place to eat lunch, the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden at the Museum may be available, weather permitting (please discuss with the Education Department staff at the time when you book your tour), or Linn Park is located just across Reverend Abrahams Woods, Jr. Boulevard.

Museum Store

During your visit, your students may shop at the Museum Store. Be aware that a maximum of 10 children with at least one adult chaperone are allowed in the store at one time.

Museum Conduct

On the day of your visit, please follow rules provided by Museum staff regarding safety and courtesy in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your group. No food or drink is allowed in our galleries.

Cameras

Teachers and students are welcome to bring cameras to document their visit, although photography is not allowed in some areas of the Museum. All cameras (including camera phones) must be registered with security staff upon arrival. No flash photography is allowed. Please refrain from taking photographs while docents and students are speaking.

Cell Phones

Please refrain from texting or talking on cell phones during tours. This policy applies to teachers, students and chaperones.

We want your students’ visit to the Birmingham Museum of Art to be an enjoyable learning experience for all. Please take a few minutes to go over these guidelines with your students and chaperones. Our docents (tour guides) are looking forward to your tour.

Everyone—students, chaperones and teachers

• No food, drink or gum is allowed in the Museum's galleries.
• Keep a safe distance from the art (recommend a minimum of two feet).
• No reclining on the floor.
• No leaning on the walls or pedestals.
• Cell phones should be turned off or silenced during tours.
• Cameras (including cell-phone cameras) are to be used only in accordance with the Museum's photography policy.

Teachers

• Have students wear badges with the school's name. Please color-code these badges to match the chaperone’s.
• Divide students as evenly as possible into groups according to their age or grade. You may find it helpful to further divide your groups by gender.
• Do not plan activities, worksheets, etc. for students during their tour—make arrangements to do these activities after the tour.
• Remember, only pencils are allowed in the galleries.

Students

• Walk and talk softly—be considerate of your docent as well as other visitors.
• Be attentive and respectful of your docent.
• Student participation is encouraged during the tour; however, please do not “visit” with other students or adults during the tour.
• Backpacks, heavy coats, umbrellas and other unnecessary articles should be left in the bus or car as they are not allowed in the galleries during a tour.

Chaperones

• Wear badges with your name and the school's name, color-coded to match the student group you are supervising.
• Be familiar with your group’s schedule and these rules.
• Please help the docent keep the students together.
• If possible, please leave small children and babies at home with a sitter.
• Please be respectful of our docents and do not “visit” with other chaperones or students during the tour, as this distracts the students and the docent.
• Stay with your group during their tour and be attentive to the docent and students.

Group Leaders

If you are running late in transit, please call the Museum’s Education Department at 205.254.2571.  If you are more than 20 minutes late, it will be necessary to reschedule your tour.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share these important guidelines! We look forward to your visit.