Important information about tours

Where To Park


Buses

Please unload all buses in front of the Museum on Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard across from Linn Park.

Parking for buses is available in front of the Museum, as well as along City Walk on 9th Avenue North behind the Museum between 19th and 16th Streets North.

Car and Van Parking

The Museum has limited parking for cars and vans. Please enter the Museum’s parking lot on Richard Arrington Boulevard between Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard and 9th Avenue North. Additional parking is available around the Museum, including along City Walk on 9th Avenue North. The tours will begin on the first floor of the Museum in the Main Lobby.

Arrival


Please meet your guide in the Main Lobby (on the first floor, inside the Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard entrance). If you are running late in transit, please call the Museum’s Learning and Engagement Department at (205) 254-2571. If your group arrives more than 20 minutes late, we will assist you to reschedule the tour at a later date.

Chaperones

To help our educators best serve your group, we require at least one adult for every 15 students. Please pre-divide students as evenly as possible into groups of 15 and match each group with a chaperone. Chaperones should be familiar with the group’s schedule, stay with their group at all times, and help keep the group together and engaged in the discussion.

Nametags

If your school allows, please have students wear nametags that also include the school’s name.

Large Articles

We have open cubbies for storing backpacks, lunches, and umbrellas, as well as lockers. For large groups, you may want to leave these items on the bus.

Accessibility and Special Needs

The Museum is fully accessible to all visitors. All tours can be adapted to accommodate your group. If your group has any special needs (i.e. English-language learners, visitors with a disability), please let us know prior to your visit. For wheelchair access, visitors may use our wheelchair lift at our main entrance from Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard or access an elevator in our auditorium lobby off the Museum’s parking lot.

What To Bring


Cameras

Visitors are welcome to bring cameras to document their visit, but please turn off the flash.

Writing and Drawing

Only pencils are allowed in the galleries. For additional questions on the Museum’s complete media policy, please contact the Learning and Engagement Department at (205) 254-2571.

Personal Comfort

To help preserve our artworks, the galleries are slightly cool. You may wish to bring a light jacket or sweater.

Mobile Phones

Feel free to use your phone to take pictures without a flash, but please refrain from using mobile phones (texting or talking) during tours.

 

During Your Visit


Museum Etiquette

To help preserve artworks, please keep a safe distance from the art; we recommend visitors stay at least two steps away from the art. Please do not lean on walls or pedestals.

Student Interaction

Student interaction is a key part of a Museum visit. We encourage students to ask questions, share their perspectives, and be an active part of the conversation.

 

Lunch + Shopping


The Museum does not have a lunchroom facility. However, we do have several spaces that might work for your group, including our studios and The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden, weather permitting. Please let us know if you plan to eat lunch at the Museum so we can best advise your group. We do ask that no food, drink, or gum be brought into the galleries.

Museum Shop

During your visit, students may shop at the Museum Shop. Due to our small space, a maximum of 15 students with at least one adult chaperone are allowed in the Shop at any given time.