K–12
In the Making: Field Trip
Are your K–12 students feeling curious about the world around them? Art museum field trips can spark engagement with big ideas, and looking at art with peers encourages students to accept and seek diverse perspectives, skills that transfer to all areas of life. Bring your K–12 students to the MSU Broad Art Museum for an engaging and interactive experience with art!
We invite schools to participate in a three-part art experience: a pre-visit video and activity, a field trip to the museum, and a hands-on, art-making lesson in your classroom. Field Trips are held regularly on Tuesday mornings from 9:30–10:30am during the school year, with follow-up artmaking at schools on Thursdays. In the Making: Young Minds at the MSU Broad Art Museum K–12 programs, like Field Trip, are generously sponsored by the Park West Foundation.
Availability is limited and spots fill quickly. Field Trips must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. The museum is committed to accessibility for all visitors. For access information or to request an accommodation, please contact us at eebam@msu.edu at least two weeks prior to your visit.
Scheduling for fall visits will be available Sept. 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our enthusiastic K–12 Engagement Team leads our Field Trip program. The team is made up of MSU students studying art and education who are mentored and managed by our museum education team.
Field Trips are held regularly on Tuesday mornings from 9:30–10:30am during the school year, with follow-up artmaking at schools on Thursdays. Available dates are on our online registration form. Pre-visit activities can be completed at school any time before your field trip.
Field Trip projects will be different than Creative Classroom projects. Teachers can sign up for both programs to get more art experiences for their classroom.
Your experience includes three parts:
- Before your field trip, watch the museum welcome video with your students. The video will show you what the visit will be like and includes a close-looking activity to practice looking at art together.
- Tuesday: Visit the MSU Broad Art Museum for an hour of engaging activities in the galleries with our K–12 Engagement Team. Tours are student-centered and designed to inspire collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
- Thursday: Our K–12 Engagement Team will visit your school to lead an art-making activity with your students.
Our 2026—2027 school year Field Trips include the following exhibitions:
Sept. 22, 2026 (with the exception of Nov. 17)–May 16, 2027: The CORE
Sept. 22, 2026–Mar. 14, 2027: We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment
Feb. 12–May 16, 2027: Hamdia Traoré’s “Des marabouts de Djenné” and Muslim Portraiture in Mali
Mar. 13–May 16, 2027: 2027 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition
Apr. 10–May 16, 2027: 2027 Art, Art History, and Design Faculty Triennial
Each season features different exhibitions—you are welcome to visit more than once per school year! Check our current and upcoming exhibitions listings for an overview. Each visit includes close looking and activities with three focus artworks selected by our museum education team.
Yes, we will bring a hands-on, art–making project to your classroom on Thursday of your field trip week. Your students will also receive a sketchbook to use during their museum visit for writing and drawing. If you are traveling from farther than 10 miles away, we will send you digital teaching resources to lead the project at your school.
All In the Making: Young Minds at the MSU Broad Art Museum K–12 programs, like Field Trip and Creative Classroom, are generously sponsored by the Park West Foundation. In addition, bus funding up to $225 per field trip is available by request on a first-come, first-served basis. Bussing is funded in part by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC).
We can accommodate up to 60 students for Field Trip programs.
If possible, one chaperone per every ten students is helpful.
You can reach us at eebam@msu.edu.