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Education
Mission
In service of the Bowers Museum’s Mission to: Enrich lives through the world’s finest arts and cultures, the Bowers Museum’s Education Department seeks to promote cross-cultural understanding by sharing the human stories found within the world’s greatest arts and cultures and connecting them to the stories of our visitors through exploration of our world class exhibitions, unique public programming, impactful educational opportunities and access to meaningful community interaction within a safe and architecturally impactful space.
Safety Statement
We want to emphasize that the Bowers Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all of our guests. After all, it’s only in a safe environment that children can truly learn. Here are just a few of the ways, we are providing a safe space:
- All individuals who work with children at the Bowers Museum and Kidseum, including full-time and part-time staff, volunteers, docents, independent contractors and interns, must undergo a thorough background check
- All independent contractors are supervised by staff and never alone with children
- Children are supervised in a group setting and we require one adult chaperone per ten children for school group tours that attend the Bowers Museum and Kidseum
- Additionally, security guards are present at both Bowers Museum and Kidseum during operating hours including after-school programs, after-hour programs and special events
We want to thank you for being a part of the Bowers’ Museum family. Our goal is to provide a safe and interactive environment for children to learn. If you have questions or suggestions on how we can improve your experience, please contact the Education Department at 714 567-3600.
School Tours
School Tours and Art Projects - Onsite and Online!
Book your School Tour today!
Email tours@bowers.org or call 714-567-3680.
Tours and art classes at the Bowers Museum are designed for grades K-12 and are available all year to accommodate school districts and school-site services with year-round schedules. These experiences provide unique opportunities for students to engage with cultural arts from around the world. Students enjoy an interactive, docent guided or self-guided tour of our permanent and/or changing exhibitions designed to explore critical thinking skills and promote cross-cultural understanding. As a part of their tour, students participate in a hands-on art class inspired by themes in our galleries that they are able to take home with them and share with their families.
Scholarship Funding Now Available for Onsite and Virtual Tours!
The Bowers Museum School Partnership Program is being offered to Title I schools in Orange County as a way to encourage teachers to integrate the arts across the curriculum and as an extension of their classroom.
If you are a Title I school in Orange County, you are welcome to apply for grant funds to assist with tour admission and art class, and transportation reimbursement.
Click Here to Download Virtual Tour Scholarship Application
Click Here to Download Onsite Tour Scholarship Application
Click Here to Download School Tour Rules and Guidelines
Free tours for Title I schools in Orange County are made possible, in part, through funding from The Nicholas Endowment, Dhont Family Foundation, Linda I. Smith Foundation, Pacific Life Foundation, O.L. Halsell Foundation, and the Segerstrom Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
Current Offerings
California Bounty: Image & Identity, 1850-1930
Suggested Grades: 3+
Art project: Plein Air Landscapes
Learn about the unique visual culture of California by exploring landscapes, portraiture, and still life!
California Legacies: Mission & Ranchos
Suggested Grades: 3-5
Art Project: Cochineal Prints
Explore the history of Orange County and California from the early Spanish missions to the rancho settlements.
Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy
Suggested Grades: 5+
Art Project: Watercolor Scrolls
Witness the incredible evolution of Chinese art and culture from the Neo-lithic Era to the last dynasty!
Spirits & Headhunters: Art of the Pacific Islands
Suggested Grades: 6+
Art Project: Shields
Explore ceremonial masks, implements and vessels for feasting, and the art of personal adornment from the vast and diverse Pacific Islands!
Indigenous Californians
Suggested Grades: K-3
Art project: Native American Baskets
This tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the diverse and fascinating stories of our state through our other historic galleries.
Logistics
Onsite Tours are 2-2.5 hours long
- 1 Hour Private Docent-Led Tour
- 30 Minute Break
- 1 Hour Private Art Project
Pricing
- Onsite tours: *$14 per Student ($6 tour, $8 art project; special exhibition pricing may differ)
- One FREE Chaperone (Teachers/Parents/Guardians/Volunteers) per 15 Students
- Special Needs Aides Free
Availability
- Tuesday-Friday
- School Tours start at 9:30 am each morning
- Minimum of 15 Students; 70 Students Maximum Per Visit
- If less than 15 students, $200 minimum payment
Virtual Tour options now available! Contact tours@bowers.org or call (714) 567-3680 for details.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis for grades K-12.
- Click here to download a Virtual School Tour Scholarship Application
- Click here to download an Onsite School Tour Scholarship Application
*Price increase: School Tours booked for October 21, 2023 and after will be charged $7 for permanent collection tours or $9 for special-ticketed exhibition tours.
Educator Resources
Remote Access Learning
Bowers is proud to offer an array of virtual and remote learning opportunities that can be enjoyed from home:
Virtual School Tours
Experience social emotional learning across your curriculum through the arts. All virtual K-12 school tours are 30 minutes with accompanying art instruction of 60 minutes.
Contact us at tours@bowers.org or (714) 567-3680 to curate the tour that's right for you today! Cost: $13/student. Limited Grant funding available to Orange County Title I schools.
Educator Resource Guides
Scroll down to access Educator Resource Guides inspired by our exhibitions.
Scholarships
Grand Funds
TITLE I Schools - Request grant funds to bring your class to the Bowers!
Tours and art classes at the Bowers Museum and Kidseum provide unique opportunities for students of all levels to engage with cultural arts from around the world.
The Bowers Museum School Partnership Program is being offered to Title I schools as a way to encourage teachers to integrate the arts across the curriculum and as an extension of their classroom.
If you are a Title I school, you are welcome to apply for grant funds to assist with tour admission and art class, and partial transportation reimbursement!
Scholarships 2024
To apply for a scholarships please first submit a application with the dates your school would like to visit to tours@bowers.org or via fax to the Tours Office. Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications must be received within the corresponding submission window to your tour date. If awarded funding, you will be contacted by Bowers Museum staff to finalize your field trip. If funding is unable to be awarded the school will have the option to cancel their tour date or pay the balance for the tour.
Grand Guidelines & Requirements
Criteria for being selected to receive scholarship funds for tours, art classes, and transportation will be based on:
- Qualification as a Title I school (subject to verification).
- Submission of completed School Partnership application within the appropriate corresponding submission dates.
- Completion of requested surveys/evaluation forms by teachers on each visit.
- Following your visit, you may be asked to submit “thank you” letters addressed to the Bowers Museum or funding source (additional information will provided by the Tours Office).
- Each approved school will receive grant funding to cover their tour admission and art classes for up to 70 students. Approved schools will be expected to fund any remaining balance or visits not covered by grant funds, and will receive an invoice prior to their visit date(s), with payment due no more than 30 days after their scheduled visit.
- To receive bus reimbursement, please submit a copy of your transportation invoice along with clearly marked “pay to” information no more than 60 days after your scheduled tour date, and the Bowers will issue a reimbursement check to your designated school or district for up to $250 per bus, per visit.
Questions?
Please contact the Tours Office at:
Tel: 714-567-3680
Email: tours@bowers.org
Special funding for scholarships has been provided by