School Tours

Students and teachers discover that works of art are windows to history and culture at The Mint Museum. Fun and interactive tours of both locations are designed to engage students in observation techniques, critical thinking skills and the expression of personal ideas. Tours are designed to support the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

• Tours are led by museum docents (volunteer educators) and last one hour, with the exception of DIGS (90 minutes).
• Guided tours require a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 65 students per hour at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and a maximum of 75 per hour at the Mint Museum of Art.
• Self-guided tours are permitted for high school groups of up to 30 students per hour.
• One chaperone per 10-12 students is required.
• Programs for students with disabilities are available upon request.
• Students are welcome to visit the Museum Shop after a tour. Please notify the Tour Coordinator if your group plans to visit the shop.
• For interactive website experiences before your visit, click on Education and select Families & Kids .
• All school tours, guided or self-guided, must be scheduled with the Tour Coordinator. Guided tours must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance.

To arrange a tour at either location, please contact the Tour Coordinator at 704-337-2043 or tours@themintmuseums.org.

School Tour Descriptions

Tour descriptions are listed by museum location, and include grade levels and curriculum objectives by subject. A free Teacher Tour Outline is available for most tours.

The Mint Museum

Museum Highlights and Special Exhibitions
grades 4-12
General Museum Highlights Tours as well as Special Exhibition Tours are available at both museums. Please visit the Exhibitions page for a list of special exhibitions.
Curriculum Objectives: Visual Arts

Free Traveling Trunks
Packed with fun interactives for students of all levels, the resource trunks offer books, videos, CDs, visual aids, hands-on activities, and integrated lesson plans that address the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Activities explore the five basic craft processes, plus the cultures of Africa, Precolumbian Mexico, Central and South America, and the art of Romare Bearden. Trunks are available for a two-week loan. Call 704-337-2098 for more information or to reserve a trunk.

Mint Museum of Art

ArtBasiCs
grades K-2
Learn the ABC’s of art while using gallery games as a fun introduction to line, color, shape, texture and pattern. Tour stops may include the African Art Gallery, the Romare Bearden gallery and the American Art gallery.
Curriculum Objectives: Language Arts, Visual Arts

Every Picture Tells a Story
grades 2-4
Explore themes of Imagination & Storytelling as students use inquiry and investigation to interpret the stories behind portraits, narratives and abstract art utilizing gallery interactives. Tour stops may include the African Art Gallery, the Romare Bearden gallery and the American Art gallery.
Curriculum Objectives: Language Arts, Open Court Literacy, Visual Arts

D.I.G.S.: Deciphering & Investigating Great Societies (90 minutes)
grade 5
Use hands-on gallery activities to investigate the ancient cultures of Latin America with emphasis on the Maya. Teachers, download the Deciphering & Investigating Great Societies 5th grade Latin American Social Studies Curriculum Guide here.
Curriculum Objectives: Language Arts, Open Court Literacy, Social Studies, Visual Arts

Mint Museum of Craft + Design

Crafty Critters
grades K-2
Go on a hunt for real and imaginary animals in the museum. Identify the 5 major craft materials (clay, fiber, glass, metal and wood) and feel tactile examples in the Learning Center.
Curriculum Objectives: Language Arts, Visual Arts

Imagination Gone Wild!
grades 2-4
Themes of Imagination & Storytelling abound as students discuss and interpret the stories behind dynamic glass, fiber, metal, wood and clay creations.
Curriculum Objectives: Language Arts, Open Court Literacy, Visual Arts