The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester is excited to announce that for the 2024-2025 school year, School Tours for PreK-12th grades and Especially for Educators professional development workshops for teachers will be free for participants. This announcement, one of the first major initiatives under the new leadership at MAG, is important in removing barriers and creating access to the museum’s collection and resources for the Rochester community. Sarah Jesse, the Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director, stated, “School tours have the power to light a spark in students that can fuel a lifelong connection to art and museums. Many students who visit MAG on school tours have never visited an art museum before. Knowing how transformative early exposure to art can be, we’re thrilled to offer this initiative through the support of our generous donors.”
In addition, MAG is pleased to provide transportation reimbursement, up to $200, for any public school that receives free or reduced lunch support for at least 40% of their student population on a first-come, first-served basis during the 2024-2025 school year. Please visit our website for details. Generously supported by Joseph Dimino and an Anonymous Donor.
Allison Goodwin, Director of Academic & Community Programs at the Memorial Art Gallery, shared, “By removing barriers with this initiative, we’re creating access for teachers and students not only to art but to their own creativity and to a place to engage in discussion about the world we live in and to explore the role that art plays in that conversation. The next generation of artists, art makers, and art lovers are already today’s students, and we can’t wait to welcome them, free of charge, in the upcoming school year to MAG.”
Moving to free tours prioritizes MAG’s commitment to connecting students and inspiring fun through their curiosity. Offering free professional development programs will foster opportunities to promote inspiration and ignite discovery as well as growth for teachers.
In his role as MAG Educator for School & Community Partnerships & Outreach, Adam Koneman has heard countless compelling stories from teachers and students about the potential of art to engage and empower. He shared, “One of the greatest investments a community can make is in its students and teachers, and I’m thrilled MAG will be expanding access to our collection and programming for these important audiences.” The work MAG is doing to reconnect with school and district partners across Rochester and the wider community has generated incredible enthusiasm—participants in Especially for Educator workshops and MAG’s Teacher Advisory Council have articulated their excitement for additional resources and opportunities for their classrooms and colleagues to experience art.
“I’m so excited! Thank you to the MAG for making this change. I believe this will eliminate a barrier and get more educators and students in the door interacting with the museum and all the well-curated, relevant programming it has to offer for all!” expressed Libby Trausch, Rochester City School District School No. 52 Art Teacher and member of MAG’s Teacher Advisory Council.
For more information on MAG’s Free School Tours, click here.
The 2024-2025 school year tour program at MAG is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor, David Figlio and Anne L. Ford, Katherine K. Cove, and Marcia J. Lowry.