Teachers
Come to the Barnes, or we’ll come to you. Our programs will nourish your students’ imaginations and serve your curricular goals.
Field Trips
Our in-person school programs are suspended until March 2021 to prioritize the health of students, teachers, and our community. We will be offering online experiences for pre-K–12 students during this time.
Field trips are available for all K–12 students. We tailor our one-hour tours and lessons to meet the needs, abilities, and grade level of each group.
Weekdays, October through June; register at least 30 days in advance.
$5 per person; free for a limited number of School District of Philadelphia schools.
Seeing Math
This program encourages students in grades 5–8 to think mathematically about artworks by examining the shapes, sizes, numbers, and space in compositions, then use their discoveries to tell stories and find meaning in the artist’s choices.
60 students max.
General Introduction
Students explore highlights of the history and collection of the Barnes Foundation. Using the concepts of line, light, color, and space, they learn to analyze ensembles and individual works of art.
Storytelling in Art
This program for K–2 students integrates literacy with art by identifying storytelling elements in works in the collection.
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
Students learn about the qualities of impressionist and post-impressionist art. Using color, light, and brushstroke, they evaluate the artistic representation of the world in a selection of pieces.
Ensembles
Using color, light, line, and space as well as the ideas of balance, symmetry, and unity, students consider how works in ensembles fit together. They learn to make comparisons and see connections between art of different cultures, mediums, periods, and styles.
Landscapes in Art and Nature
Students view and compare landscape paintings in a lesson that focuses on the visual qualities of nature and how artists capture nature in their art.
Portraits
Through close looking at images of people, students learn how artists use tools and materials, including color, brushstroke, and composition, to express identity.
Self-Guided Visits
Students in grades 8–12 are permitted to self-tour the collection or any special exhibitions with their chaperones. Pre-visit materials are available, and admission to special exhibitions is included in the ticket price. Self-guided admission is $5 per person; free for School District of Philadelphia schools.
Students in grades 8–12 may follow a guided tour with a self-guided tour for additional time in the galleries. $10 per person; free for School District of Philadelphia schools.