The Walker offers interactive, learner-centered, and inquiry-based explorations of the galleries and/or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. All guided visits are led by our professional museum educators and can be customized to focus on specific themes and exhibitions.
Customized tour options are available for Special Education classrooms (including Citywide Autism Program and inclusive classrooms). Walker Education supports learning for people of all ages, abilities, and familiarity with contemporary and modern art.
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Group Visits
On-site guided tours are available for school and youth groups of up to 50 participants. One chaperone is required for every 15 participants.
Tours are typically one hour in length and can be tailored to fit your needs. Choose one of our four thematic strands or request a custom tour:
- Introduction to Contemporary Art (K–12)
- STEAM (K–8)
- Social Studies (K–12)
- English Language Arts (K–12)
All guided tours must be scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance.
Please see the table below for more specific information about the kinds of guided tours we offer.
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Self-Guided Visits
A self-guided visit can be a good option for groups who are familiar with the Walker’s collection and are comfortable exploring the galleries without a guide.
Plans for self-guided visits, as well as other educational resources and fun activities, are available on the Resources for Learning page.
Self-guided visits in the galleries are limited to grades 6–12 and university groups, with a maximum group size of 75 participants. One chaperone is required for every 10 participants. K–5 groups are encouraged to book a guided tour or visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Self-guided school group visits are free but must be scheduled at least one week in advance and may only be scheduled during our regular public hours.
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open daily from 6 am to 12 midnight. Reservations for self-guided Garden visits are encouraged but not required.
What are the Options?
| Visit Type | Group Size Limit | Visit Length | Price (per every 15 students) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Gallery Tours | 50 Students | 1 hr. (45 min. for K–2 groups) |
Title 1/60% Free/reduced lunch: Free Non-Title 1 Schools: $3 per student Universities: $12 per student |
| Guided Garden Tour* | 50 Students | 1 hr. (45 min. for K–2 groups) |
Title 1/60% Free/reduced lunch:
Free Non-Title 1 Schools: $3 per student Universities: $12 per student |
| Guided Gallery & Garden Tour* | 50 Students | 2 hrs. (1.5 hrs. For K–2 groups) |
Title 1/60% Free/reduced lunch:
Free Non-Title 1 Schools: $3 per student Universities: $12 per student |
| Self-Guided Gallery Visit | 75 Students (Grades 6–12 only) | Unlimited |
All 6–12 grade groups: Free Universities: $12 per student and free for anyone 18 or under |
| Self-Guided Garden Visit | Unlimited | Unlimited | All groups: Free |
*Minneapolis Sculpture Garden tours are available May–October.
Book Your Visit
Schedule your visit today by filling out our online tour request form for Schools or by contacting the Education Programs Assistant at tours@walkerart.org or (612) 375-7609.
Before Your Visit
Share the pre-visit video (above) with any K–12 classroom or use the Field Trip Prep lesson plans (below) to introduce your students to the Walker. These will help them feel prepared and excited for their visit. The Social Narrative is another helpful tool for younger students and students who may feel nervous about the field trip.
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Grades K–5 Field Trip Prep
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Grades 6–12 Field Trip Prep
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Social Narrative
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FOR CHAPERONES
Download a chaperone guide to learn how you can help ensure a successful visit to the museum.
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BUS PARKING AND DROP-OFF INFORMATION
School buses should drop off students on Vineland Place at the front entrance of the Walker. To park in the nearby Parade parking lot, you’ll need to fill out a permit application and submit it to the Minneapolis Park Board. You can also download and share our parking map below.
