Students now have the opportunity to explore OKCMOA’s galleries and collection in a personal and inquiry-driven online experience with a Museum educator. The new Virtual Field Trips program is open, free of charge, to all 2nd through 12th grade and college classrooms. Sessions are approximately 45 minutes in length and will be held live.
“With the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming school year, we had to find ways to continue to bring the Museum to Oklahoma students,” said Rosie May, director of curatorial affairs and audience engagement. “We have always offered in-person school tours for free thanks to generous support from sponsors such as Inasmuch Foundation and Crawley Petroleum. With the launch of Virtual Field Trips, we will be able to serve even more students. Small groups are encouraged in order to facilitate engaging and constructive conversations. We are thankful to The Hearst Foundations and Express Employment International for making this program possible.”
Teachers may choose sessions from several thematic units including:
Special exhibitions
Inquiry in Action: Examining art for context
STEAM at OKCMOA
Art at Work: Exploring museum careers
The Museum’s current special exhibition, “The Painters of Pompeii: Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples” has inspired virtual field trips such as Heroes and Myth: Mythology in Pompeiian Art, The Show Must Go On: Music and Theater in Rome and Art & Archeology: Meet an Archeologist.
“In Art & Archeology: Meet an Archeologist, students will have a conversation with a practicing archeologist who has excavated at sites around Italy, including Pompeii,” said May. “Students will get a glimpse at life as an archeologist and get close to several of the frescoes in ‘The Painters of Pompeii.’ This is a great example of a program we would not have been able to offer in person. With virtual learning, the sky is the limit, and we are excited to offer innovative sessions like this as new exhibitions open throughout the year.”
OKCMOA also offers in-person tours designed for all groups and ages. Groups will view special exhibitions and the Museum’s permanent collection including “Dale Chihuly: Magic & Light” on all guided or self-guided tours. Teachers of Pre-K through 1st-grade students are strongly encouraged to book in-person, docent-guided tours, where students can practice important skills such as creative and critical thinking, as well as develop comfort in a museum setting.
To book an in-person tour or virtual field trip, contact the OKCMOA tour coordinator at tours@okcmoa.com. All virtual field trip sessions align with Oklahoma academic standards. Virtual field trip sessions and in-person tours should be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.
