School Visits
Inspire your students’ creativity and personal expression! Staff-Guided visits are discussion-based and hands-on, and help students exercise visual and verbal literacy skills. Programs include curriculum-related, in-studio projects and facilitated gallery discussions.
“Mystic As Muse” Group Visits
An outing in Mystic in the summer months can be a wonderful combination of great food, boutique shopping, and water views. Guided tours of the exhibition are available for groups of six or more. We would love to host a group from your organization for a tour, guided or otherwise. We have partnered with Daniel Packer Inne to help you with group lunch arrangements if you so choose: a 2-course prix fixe lunch is available with scenic views of the Mystic River and within walking distance of MAC for just $25, tax and gratuity included.
Scheduling & Booking for Guided Visits:
Guided 45-minute tours of “Mystic as Muse” are available between 10am and 3pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday, between noon and 4pm. A three week advance notice is requested for all bookings. To schedule please call Dawn Salerno, (860)536-7601 x209. Once booked, you will be sent a confirmation letter with further information about parking, directions, payment, and lunch if requested.
Grant Funded Opportunities Grades 1 – 12
Due to generous donors, select schools may participate in MAC programs at a reduced or no charge, including the cost of transportation, while funds last.
Art Start (Grades Pre-K, K)
Children join Mystic Arts Center staff for an artful adventure of stories, hands-on activities, and playful discovery in our galleries and studios. Artworks are explored through the creative windows of storytelling, movement, and imaginative play. Duration: 1 hour. Fee: $5 per student; $50 minimum.
Field Trips (Grades 1-12)
Field Trips involve discussions in MAC’s galleries and may include a related studio project. Program Fee: $7 per student; $100 minimum. Topics include;
Writing with Artworks
Students exercise verbal, oral presentation, and writing skills using artwork as a catalyst. Writing activities are included in the gallery while the studio art project focuses on the idea of the written word and language.
Grades 3 and up: 2 hour program
Grades 1 – 2: 1.5 hour program
Exhibition Focus
1 hour tours in our galleries focus on medium, content, and elements of design
Grades Pre-K – 12 Customized Group Programs
Have a particular theme or topic you’re exploring? Work with our Education Director to tailor a visual arts program to your curricular focus. Visual arts can add cross-disciplinary hands-on creative expression to your non-art curriculum or augment your art curriculum with our specialized staff and object-based inquiry. Program may occur on or off-site and include multiple visits with our staff. Contact the Education Department for more information, scheduling, and availability.
Fee negotiable
Policies
All guided group and school visits must be scheduled a month in advance. If you do not receive written confirmation of your visit two weeks before your program, please contact the Education Department. To reschedule or cancel a staff-guided visit, a minimum of two days notice is required.
Cancellation Policy
Groups canceling with less than 24 hours notice may be required to pay the minimum booking fee of $100. If your school has a delay, dismisses early or closes due to inclement weather, your visit is cancelled automatically at no charge.
Group Visit Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Class Size Limits
60 students, with up to 10 additional chaperones
Self-guided Visits
We welcome self-guided groups to Mystic Arts Center with the appropriate number of chaperones. Call the Education Department at least two (2) weeks in advance to schedule your visit. Review our “Planning Your Visit” packet on line before arriving to ensure the quality of your visit.
Accessibility
MAC’s galleries and studio are accessible to visitors with mobility limitations. Persons entering in wheel chairs should enter the studio entrance or galleries from their front doors respectively.
Chaperone Requirements
Grades 2 – 12: one adult per 15 students
Grades Pre-K, K, 1: one adult per 7 students
See the “Planning Your Visit” packet on our web site for details on chaperone responsibilities.
Transportation and Parking
Mystic Arts Center parking lot is bus accessible and free for program participants. Visitors must provide their own transportation unless arranged with MAC Education Staff.
School Scholarships
Due to generous donors, select schools may participate in MAC programs at a reduced or no charge, including the cost of transportation, while funds last. Ask when scheduling your program.
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