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SUSAN: Welcome to the Smithsonian
American
Art Museum,
a place where your students can
appreciate
- first-hand - how art is a window on
the
American experience.
I'm Susan Nichols with the Museum's
Education
Department. We've prepared this short
video
to help you plan a successful visit.
Our Museum is open from 11:30 am to 7
pm.,
seven days a week (except December
25). Admission
is free.
Docent-guided tours for school groups
can
begin as early as 9:30 a.m. They're
free too.
Whether you arrive by bus, Metro, or
other
means, students should enter at our G
Street
Entrance - that is, G as in "Group
Entrance."
Please remind your students to leave
their
backpacks - and all electronics -
safely behind.
Once inside, if you've selected a
guided
tour, you will meet your docent.
If your group is self-guided, please
introduce
yourself at the Information Desk.
Staff there
will provide you with maps and other
materials.
We welcome all well-mannered school
groups.
For the safety of our visitors and our
collections,
the Museum requires one adult for
every 15
students in middle and high school.
You and your chaperones will be given
Neon yellow labels
This alerts staff and
security
to the adults who are responsible for
the
students.
Someone with a baby,
small
child or using a cell phone is not a
suitable
chaperone.
All chaperones should model
active
listening. Everyone can participate
and learn!
Our Museum has so much to see and do.
We suggest
you allow at least two hours for your
visit.
The museums artwork tantalize the eye
and mind.
Please remind your students not to
touch the
artworks. Even a light touch will
cause damage,
sometimes irreputable.
If you schedule far enough ahead, we
can provide
a guided tour that links to your
classroom
study, or
we offer general themes like
"Picturing America."
Your class will discuss the various
ways artists
depict our country over three
centuries.
How about the tour theme "To See is To
Think"?
Why do people make art and what can we
learn
by close observation?
Check out our website for more themes.
If you opt for a guided tour, your
docent
will speak with or email you ahead of
time.
And remember - we really do need your
registration
at least three weeks in advance for a
guided
tour. Use our online school tour
registration
form.
Eating is part of a good visit. When
it's
time for lunch or a snack, our Court
Yard
Cafe offers a variety of salads,
sandwiches,
desserts and drinks.
Groups of 20 or more can take
advantage of
special dining packages. For
information,
visit the Smithsonian's group Tours
Website.
If you bring bag lunches, school
groups can
enjoy an indoor picnic in our
courtyard. Students
may sit on the planters or on the
floor. Please
dispose of all trash properly.
Our two museum stores offer a range of
items
in a range of prices.
All of our facilities are wheelchair
accessible.
Aural and sign language interpreters
are available
for programs, if you request at least
four weeks
in advance.
Our award-winning website is an
excellent
gateway to the Museum - both before
and after
your visit. Check out these sites:
--Catlin Campfire
--Del Corazon and
-- Meet Me at Midnight
You'll find other useful resources
like:
-- Lesson plans
-- Student podcasts
and -- Artist interviews
Do sign up to receive "Classroom
Connections,"
that's our information-packed
eNewsletter for
educators
to learn out about upcoming
professional development
opportunities - in the Museum or via
videoconference.
You can also follow up your students'
in-gallery
visit with a real-time
video-conference!
Again, check out our website for
details.
We look forward to hosting you and
your class
for a memorable visit at our
Smithsonian American
Art Museum.
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