Tour Types

• Self-Guided Tours

  Self-guided tours encourage teachers to take charge of the visit and walk the students through the galleries. Upon arriving to the museum, the group will receive a brief orientation with an overview of the Dixon history and collections. Teachers are welcome to visit the museum prior to the field trip and explore the different exhibitions in order to select specific artworks to discuss on the groups’ visit. By request, educators can schedule a short meeting with a member of the education department to help design the tour and provide materials.

  Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)
  
  Who can come: Pre-K through graduate school
  
  Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 25 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups
  
  Requirements: Ratio of 1:5 adult/students for Pre-K through 5th and 1:7 for 6th-12th

• Docent-Led Tours

  Students can enjoy a unique tour led by a Dixon docent in the galleries or gardens. These tours emphasize critical thinking and visual literacy skills and also encourage curiosity and communication. Dixon docents are trained in Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a school curriculum and teaching method, to facilitate open-ended discussions with students.

  Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)
  
  Who can come: Pre-K through graduate school
  
  Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 25 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups
  
  Requirements: Ratio of 1:5 adult/students for Pre-K through 5th, 1:7 for 6th-12th
  

• Dixon Discoveries

  This one-hour session includes an interactive tour of the galleries and/or gardens, followed by a hands-on activity. Each session is designed to meet the Common Core Standards and help with your units of study.

  Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)
  
  Grades: Pre-K through 5th
  
  Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 25 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups
  
  Requirements: Ratio of 1:5 adult/students
  
  Other activity options are available for larger groups of up to 100.

• Group Sketching

  The supplies will include papers or sketchpads, clipboards, and pencils. The materials will be prepared and waiting for your group at the front desk. Group sketching has to be requested when you make your reservation for a museum or garden tour. Supplies included.

  Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)
  
  Grades: 6th-12th
  
  Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 25 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups
  
  Requirements: Ratio of 1:7 adult/students

• Additional Tour Information
  • Tour times are offered on Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-5pm.
  • The Dixon is wheelchair accessible throughout the museum and in many areas of the Dixon gardens.
  • Tour groups are welcome to bring a picnic for the gardens (weather permitting); indoor space is only available for groups who order lunch from Park & Cherry, the museum's café.
  • Lockers and coat racks are available, but backpacks should be left on the bus.
  • Pens, markers, and crayons are not allowed in the galleries; pencils and colored pencils are allowed.
• Transportation Funding

  BUS FUNDING IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MSCS SCHOOLS
  
  How it works:
  

  • Make a group reservation: Plan Your Field Trip
  • Receive an email confirmation for your field trip, with a link to apply for bus funding.
  • Apply for bus funding.
  • If your bus funding application is approved, you will receive a confirmation via email.

  Things to keep in mind:

  • You make the bus reservation.
  • Have your school’s Financial Secretary's information at hand when applying. This information is required to complete the application.
  • Dixon will only pay the bus company directly. Schools will not be reimbursed.
  • The Dixon will only pay for invoices dated within the school year of the museum visit.