Community Outreach Programming Mission and Values
Mystic Museum of Art is a vibrant hub, connecting community through creative expression and a rich artistic heritage. MMoA’s mission is to foster the creation, understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the arts through exhibitions, educational programs and cultural collaborations. MMoA values the transformative power of art education, and our school and community programs offer a range of experiences. We aim to spark creativity and to inspire wonder and higher-level critical thinking skills while supporting Connecticut’s curriculum standards and the missions of our partners. Outreach programming includes (but is not limited to):
Pop-Up Studios
After-School Programing
Field Trips
Art Parties
Professional Development Days and Studio Retreats
Adult Education Programs
school Field Trips
Field trips involve collaborative discussions in MMoA’s galleries and a related hands-on studio project. Students exercise Common Core speaking, listening, 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 Pre-K – 1: 1.5 hour program. Fee: $5 per student; $50 minimum
- Grades 2 – 12: 2 hour program. Fee: $7 per student; $100 minimum
Customized
Field Trips
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.
Self-Guided
Field Trips
We welcome self-guided field trips to Mystic Museum of Art with the appropriate number of chaperones. Contact the Education Department or call 860 536 7601 x 211 to schedule your visit. Review our Planning Your Visit packet before arriving to ensure the quality of your visit.
POP-UP STUDIO (GRADES PRE-K – 12)
Can’t make it to the Museum? MMoA will come to your classroom! Our educators help students make critical observations about artworks and the creative process, and each student creates an artwork of his or her own. An artist, medium, or theme is the focus of each program.
Traveling educational classes are available to students, Pre-K through 12th grade. MMoA teachers will work to customize a program based on what students are currently working on in their curriculum or programming that connects with a particular style, theme, or technique. Working right in the classroom, students will create an artwork inspired by the lesson.
Topics can be explored in a single class or as a series of sessions.
Class length: 1-hour (or series of one hour)
Preferred class size: 15 students. Up to 25 students possible with minimum 1 chaperone.
Fee: $150 per 1-hour program. Beyond a 10-mile radius, additional charges may be applied if the distance becomes a factor.
Materials: No cost (*unless a special order for a unique supply that MMoA does not generally stock)
Contact: Call 860.536.7601 x211 to schedule with the Education Department four weeks in advance to book.
After-School Programing and Field Trips
After- School Programing
Designed to support area schools, libraries, and community centers where off-site classes are offered to students, Pre-K – 12th grade. These traveling programs are 1-2 hours in length and are themed to a particular artist, medium, technique, or genre. Students are instructed on the creative process and make art that reflects the lesson taught. Nature Made Art, Multicultural Connections, Master Artists, Sculpture, STEAM, Cartooning, and the Art of Social Justice are just some of the many themes that can be explored.
Fee: $150 per each hour of programming
Materials: No cost (*unless a special order for a unique supply that MMoA does not generally stock).
Field Trips
These 2-hour staff- guided visits in our studio and galleries are discussion-based and hands-on, and help students exercise visual and verbal literacy skills. Students explore our galleries with a trained museum educator and engage in focused observation, questioning and a collaborative discussion of art. Our studio space provides the opportunity for hands on art making in drawing, painting, sculpture, or multimedia projects that connect with a pre-determined theme of topic.
Fee: (Pre-K – 1st Grade) $100 for 25 students @ 2 hours, $6 each additional student
(2nd – 12th Grade/ or Adults) $150 for 25 students @ 2 hours, $8 each additional student
Materials: No cost (*unless a special order for a unique supply that MMoA does not generally stock).
Adult Education Programs and Art Parties
Art Parties
Art Parties offer a 2-hour long, customized event, filled with creative fun where MMoA teachers will guide participates through an art- making lesson. Whether it’s a birthday party, bachelorette party, baby shower, or just a social evening with co-workers and friends, an art party offers a memorable and unique event for your special occasion.
Fee: $250 Member / $300 Non-Member for up to 20 participants.
Additional charge of $12 per guest over 20
Materials: No cost (*unless a special order for a unique supply that MMoA does not generally stock).
Professional Development Days and Studio Retreats
These programs offer teaching strategies on how to integrate art into your curriculum. These half or full days feature interactive and participatory workshops with gallery activities, guest presentations, and hands-on art making opportunities that correlate to grade-specific skills required by Common Core standards. PD days are customized to the needs of the participants and conclude with critique and reflections for classroom or workplace applications.
Fee: Half Day (up to 3 hours) = $35/ teacher
Full Day (3.5 – 5 hours) = $50/ teacher
Materials: No cost (*unless a special order for a unique supply that MMoA does not generally stock).
Adult Education Programs
These programs are designed for institutions that are interested in hiring MMoA instructors to teach on-location. These programs cater to art students who wouldn’t be able to attend studio classes at MMoA for whatever reason (assisted living residences, hospitals, prisons, schools and centers for special needs/ disabilities).
Fee: $150 per each hour of programming
Materials: Adult students will supply their own materials based on the instructor’s materials supply list OR a customized cost for supplies will be built into the total payment
Field Trip 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
Accessibility
MMoA’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 for details on chaperone responsibilities.
Transportation and Parking
Mystic Museum of Art parking lot is bus accessible and free for program participants. Visitors must provide their own transportation unless arranged with MMoA Education Staff.
School Scholarships
Due to generous donors, select schools may participate in MMoA programs at a reduced or no charge, including the cost of transportation, while funds last. Ask when scheduling your program.
