Field Trips

Why do people create works of art to express their relationship with nature? Through storytelling, close looking, and hands-on activities, students will discover ways in which artists express important ideas and feelings about animals and the natural world.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

What can we learn about ancient cultures through the study of art and artifacts? Students will explore the ancient cultures that existed in Egypt, China, and the Middle East through objects that communicate concepts of social order, power, values, and belief systems.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

What are important artistic traditions from China and what do they tell us about Chinese culture over the centuries? Students will observe the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations by examining works such as ritual bronze vessels used by ancient kings, calligraphy (the art of beautiful writing), brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials 

What are the unique characteristics of Japanese art and how do they reflect important cultural values? Students will investigate the world of Japanese art and explore its close connection to cultural beliefs by examining artworks such as lavishly painted screens, dramatic Buddhist temple sculptures, intricate hanging scrolls, and beautifully crafted tea ceramics.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

What can we learn about diverse cultures by looking at the arts of Asia? Explore museum highlights from cultures across Asia to discover how cultural values shape artistic expression. Students will examine the famed Peacock Room and a range of artworks from different artistic media, cultures, and time periods.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials 

How are art, architecture, and other media used to communicate concepts such as values, identity, and power? Students will identify and interpret designs and objects across Asia that reveal cultural associations and societal values. Through interactive discussions and close observations, students will foster a deeper understanding of cultural diversity through the lens of art.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

Do you have galleries, exhibitions, or cultures you would like your students to explore? Do you have a tour concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Select the topic of your tour or the galleries of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic, which galleries or exhibition you would like to visit, and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our docents will work with you to refine your ideas and provide suggestions.

What can we learn about ancient cultures through the study of art and artifacts? Students will explore the ancient cultures that existed in Egypt, China, and the Middle East through objects that communicate concepts of social order, power, values, and belief systems.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

What are important artistic traditions from China and what do they tell us about Chinese culture over the centuries? Students will examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations by examining works such as ritual bronze vessels used by ancient kings, calligraphy (the art of beautiful writing), brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

What are the unique characteristics of Japanese art and how do they reflect important cultural values? Students will investigate the world of Japanese art and explore its close connection to cultural beliefs by examining artworks such as lavishly painted screens, dramatic Buddhist temple sculptures, intricate hanging scrolls, and beautifully crafted tea ceramics. 

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials 

What can we learn about diverse cultures by looking at the arts of Asia? Explore museum highlights from cultures across Asia to discover how cultural values shape artistic expression. Students will examine the famed Peacock Room and a range of artworks from different artistic media, cultures, and time periods.   

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials 

How are art, architecture, and other media used to communicate concepts such as values, identity, and power? Students will identify and interpret designs and objects across Asia that reveal cultural associations and societal values.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

How does art preserve and communicate beliefs? Students will examine works of art from the major religious traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia to learn about religious stories and devotional practices central to each. Teachers may request a focus on one or a combination of the following topics: Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. Teachers may indicate which faith traditions they would like their students to discuss in the “additional information” section of the tour request form.

Visit the Learning Lab for pre- and post-visit materials

Do you have galleries, exhibitions, or cultures you would like your students to explore? Do you have a tour concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Select the topic for your tour or the galleries of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic, which galleries of exhibition you would like to visit, and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our docents will work with you to refine your ideas and provide suggestions.

Why do people create works of art to express their relationship with nature? Through storytelling, close looking, and hands-on activities, students will discover ways in which artists express important ideas and feelings about animals and the natural world.

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:

Learning Lab: Animals and Nature in the Arts of Asia

How can conversations about art and engaging in movement enhance students’ social and emotional learning skills? Students will integrate Project Zero Thinking Routines and mindfulness practices to foster emotional regulation and transform classroom dynamics. Students will develop curiosity, self-awareness, and relationship skills as they decipher a work of art for meaning and then interpret it through movement.

This interactive experience aligns with national SEL curriculum standards and popular teaching methods, such as Responsive Classroom. Developed in partnership with Create Calm, this program supports a culturally responsive and joyful learning environment.

What is Lunar New Year, and how is the celebration similar to and different from celebrations marking January 1? Students will discuss the entertainment, foods, and customs of Lunar New Year. They will learn about the symbolism of the snake as they examine works of art across cultures. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Lunar New Year 

What is it about cherry trees, or sakura, that makes them so beloved? During this virtual field trip, students will explore hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of “flower viewing.” Through paintings, woodblock prints, and other art forms, students will discover Japanese symbols, values, and traditions associated with blooming cherry trees.  
 
View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources: 
Learning Lab: Cherry Blossom Festival

What does courage look like in different cultures? Students will help tell a story that features a captivating fable or legend showcasing themes of bravery and perseverance. Students will explore works of art that relate to the story’s characters and themes. This interactive experience will inspire students to appreciate art and stories that highlight the strength of the human spirit. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Stories in Art across Asia

How do food and celebrations reveal cultural identities and traditions across Asia? Students will explore the vibrant depiction of feasts and festivities in Asian art, discovering how communal meals and celebratory practices are illustrated to convey social customs, shared values, and historical narratives. By examining stories and artwork from our collections, students will explore the rich history and significance of meals that highlight culinary practices from various Asian cultures. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Stories in Art across Asia

What does it mean to be a good friend? Students will help tell a story that celebrates the theme of friendship. They will discuss works of art that relate to the characters and themes of kindness and companionship. This interactive experience will inspire students to appreciate art and stories that highlight the importance of being a good friend. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Stories in Art across Asia

What can we learn about daily life in ancient China by studying its art and artifacts? Students will discover ancient bronzes, oracle bones, weapons, tomb goods, and more from the Shang dynasty (occupied ca. 1250–ca. 1050 BCE). This interactive experience provides a unique glimpse into the lives, innovations, and rituals of a civilization that flourished over 3,000 years ago. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Ancient China 

How can conversations about art and engaging in movement enhance students’ social and emotional learning skills? Students will integrate Project Zero Thinking Routines and mindfulness practices to foster emotional regulation and transform classroom dynamics. Students will develop curiosity, self-awareness, and relationship skills as they decipher a work of art for meaning and then interpret it through movement. This interactive experience aligns with national SEL curriculum standards and popular teaching methods, such as Responsive Classroom. Developed in partnership with Create Calm, this program supports a culturally responsive and joyful learning environment.

What is it about cherry trees, or sakura, that makes them so beloved? During this virtual field trip, students will explore hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of “flower viewing.” Through paintings, woodblock prints, and other art forms, students will discover Japanese symbols, values, and traditions associated with blooming cherry trees.  
 
View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources: 
Learning Lab: Cherry Blossom Festival

What is Lunar New Year, and how is the celebration similar to and different from celebrations marking January 1? Students will discuss the entertainment, foods, and customs of Lunar New Year. They will learn about the symbolism of the snake as they examine works of art across cultures. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Lunar New Year 

Have you ever wondered how artworks are preserved for future generations? Students will explore what happens in the museum’s conservation labs, where conservators act as “art doctors,” repairing and preserving artworks. They will dive into real scenarios our conservators have faced and work together to figure out how they could be resolved. Then students will consider steps they can take to preserve their own treasured objects.

How does art communicate how we imagine the supernatural? Students will meet scary ghosts, powerful demons, and comical monsters in works of art from Japan. They will learn about theatrical plays and folktales that feature these supernatural beings and the heroes, guardians, and everyday people they menace. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Supernatural Stories of Japan 

How is art used to communicate concepts such as values, identity, and power? Students will identify and interpret designs and objects across Asia that reveal cultural associations and societal values. Through interactive discussions and close observations, students will foster a deeper understanding of cultural diversity through the lens of art. 

View works of art that students may examine with docents during the program:
Learning Lab: Symbols in the Arts of Asia

Do you have a virtual field trip concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Do you teach a language immersion class? Select the topic of your program or the works of art of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our virtual museum educators will work with you to refine your ideas and offer suggestions. 

Subject to availability, we offer tours in the following languages: Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.

What can we learn about daily life in ancient China by studying its art and artifacts? Students will discover ancient bronzes, oracle bones, weapons, tomb goods, and more from the Shang dynasty (occupied ca. 1250–ca. 1050 BCE). This interactive experience provides a unique glimpse into the lives, innovations, and rituals of a civilization that flourished over 3,000 years ago. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Ancient China

Have you ever wondered how artworks are preserved for future generations? Students will explore what happens in the museum’s conservation labs, where conservators act as “art doctors,” repairing and preserving artworks. They will dive into real scenarios our conservators have faced and work together to figure out how they could be resolved. Then students will consider steps they can take to preserve their own treasured objects.

What can art tell us about the exchange of ideas along the Silk Road? Students will explore how the Silk Road facilitated cultural exchanges of religion and artistic techniques across Asia. They will examine artworks like funerary objects, intricate central Asian metalwork, and Buddhist cave temple reliefs as evidence of these interactions. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: The Silk Road and Cultural Exchange

How does art communicate how we imagine the supernatural? Students will meet scary ghosts, powerful demons, and comical monsters in works of art from Japan. They will learn about theatrical plays and folktales that feature these supernatural beings and the heroes, guardians, and everyday people they menace. 

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: Supernatural Stories of Japan 

How does art preserve and communicate beliefs? Students will examine works of art from the major religious traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia to learn religious stories and devotional practices central to each. Teachers may request a focus on one or a combination of the following topics: Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam. Teachers may indicate which faith traditions they would like their students to discuss in the “additional information” section of the tour request form.

View pre-visit and post-visit activities and resources:
Learning Lab: World Religions in Art 

Do you have a virtual field trip concept in mind you do not see advertised here? Do you teach a language immersion class? Select the topic of your program or the works of art of your choice. Please be sure to indicate your topic and other ideas in the “additional information” section of the tour request form. Our virtual museum educators will work with you to refine your ideas and offer suggestions. 

Subject to availability, we offer tours in the following languages: Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.