The Maguire Art Museum’s education programs offers visitors transformational art experiences. Empowered to inquire and interpret through one’s own multifaceted lens, you can engage in compassionate discourse, revel in “aha!” moments, and deepen your understanding of the human condition.

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Affirming Arts Education Program

The Affirming Arts program, a school partner program focused on art education, uses a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework and multisensory artmaking activities to cultivate critical thinking, respectful communication, and a problem-solving mindset. This program is offered to area public schools in the classroom and at the museum. Affirming Arts is made possible by the Reliance Matrix Foundation. For more information, please reach out to Jane Allen. 

Field Trips

Visit the Maguire Art Museum with your class for a field trip this year! 

Experience the museum with your students through a guided tour with an educator. Student tours are inquiry-based and explore a variety of works throughout the collection, with an emphasis on visual thinking strategies and critical thinking skills. Come for an introduction tour, choose from one of the grade-level themes below, and/or reach out to tailor your field trip to your class' needs and interests.

Interested in adding an artmaking workshop to your students' experience? Check out some examples of possible artmaking workshops here. 

A $5 donation per person per field trip is requested. For an artmaking workshop, there is an additional $5 per student requested to help cover the cost of the materials. Please reach out to Jane Allen if this is not doable for you/your group - we are here to help!

Tours last about one hour. We require 1 adult per 15 students for first grade and up, and 1 adult per 10 students for pre-K and kindergarten.

To inquire further or to schedule a field trip, please reach out to Jane Allen. We can't wait to see you!

Intro to the Museum

Grades 1+

Immerse yourself in the world of art with our introductory tour! Students will explore the elements of art by using visual thinking strategies to look closely at artworks from across the globe throughout time, while they develop their own thoughts and taste. 

Look! With a Book!

Grades pre-K-1

Discover the elements of art, like color, line, and shape, through a picture book and by exploring artwork up close! Students participate in an artsy read aloud in the galleries, draw connections between the story and the works surrounding them, and experience multisensory modes of engaging with art.

Art Storytellers

Grades 2+

Explore narratives in art and their connections to mythology, history, and literature! Students will use critical thinking skills to investigate art such as paintings, sculpture, stained glass, and the stories behind them, as well as find examples of symbolism and try writing exercises in reaction to the artworks. 

Exploring Careers in Culture

Grades 9-12

Explore careers in museums and in arts and culture as you tour the galleries and engage with select pieces from the collection. Students will analyze works of art through a range of different lens, such as that of a conservator, curator, artist, educator, etc. as they learn about the museum, its functions, and how artists throughout time have balanced creating and working. 

Preparing for your visit:

Use our social story to help prepare for your visit to the Maguire, developed by the Kinney Center!

Set on Saint Joseph’s beautiful Hawk Hill campus, the museum is designed to be integral to student life. From events, clubs, and community outreach to interdisciplinary scholarship, the Maguire Art Museum challenges students to think critically and broaden their world views. 

Interested in bringing your class to the museum? Contact Jane Allen to set up a visit or guided tour of the museum.