Education
SVMA is a passionate advocate for the vital role the arts play in developing students’ capacities for critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and innovation.
School Visits
ArtWise: Gallery Visits for Students
The Museum welcomes school and camp groups year-round. SVMA students K-12 and their teachers are admitted free and can experience the current exhibition on a self-guided visit, or when booked in advance, with a Museum Guide.
Guided school group visits are approx. 40–50 minutes long and are facilitated by trained volunteer Museum Guides. Schools outside of SVUSD will be charged $5/student if a hands-on workshop is included with their tour.
SVMA is proud to be among the top museums in the country that partner with Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to improve critical thinking and language skills for elementary students through discussions of art images. For classes implementing VTS curriculum, the Museum is the site for the students’ culminating lesson, where they can view and discuss selected works of art on view in the galleries.
- Guided Gallery Visits
To schedule a guided gallery visit, please provide the following information:
- Contact name, phone, and email
- School name
- Grade level(s)
- Number of students (maximum of 35 per tour slot)
- Number of chaperones: (1 adult for every ten students)
- Preferred date and time
- Alternate date and time
Please contact the Operations Coordinator at randerson@svma.org or 707.939.7862 ×161 to schedule a visit and to request a Museum Guide.
- Self-Guided School Visits
The Museum welcomes school and camp groups year-round. K-12 students and their teachers can experience the museum on a self-guided visit free of charge by scheduling their visit in advance.
To schedule a self-guided gallery visit, please provide the following information:
- Contact name, phone, and email
- School name
- Grade level(s)
- Number of students (maximum of 40 per tour slot)
- Number of chaperones: (1 adult for every ten students)
- Preferred date and time
- Alternate date and time
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at randerson@svma.org or 707.939.7862 ×161 to schedule a day and time.
- Museum School Visit Hours
SVMA is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm.
With advance notice (3 weeks) it is often possible for schools to arrange for a visit before the Museum opens to the public, between 9-11am.
Ticketing Policy Information can be found on the Visit page, under the Hours and Directions.
- School Visit Admission
SVMA is pleased to offer FREE admission for all pre-arranged school groups, grade K-12, and their teachers/chaperones.
Reimagining Education through the Arts
Professional Development Program
Reimagining Education through the Arts (RēTA) is SVMA’s new teacher/leader professional development program, being implemented in collaboration with Sonoma Valley Unified School District (SVUSD), and Integrated Design for Education, the Arts and Leadership (IDEAL) Bay Area.
“Our aim with RēTA is to support SVUSD in fulfilling its changing needs around delivering instruction in the arts in the classroom, while also demonstrating new and creative ways the Museum site can serve as a significant resource for educators and students alike.”
—Margie Maynard, SVMA Deputy Director, Engagement & Exhibitions
Learn more about RēTA and find more resources by clicking the buttons below:
Closed Mon-Tues, major holidays and during exhibition installations.