How do I sign up for a tour?
All tours must be scheduled online. Docent-guided tours require at least 3 weeks notice. Self-guided tours require at least 2 weeks notice.
If you would like specific instructions for signing up for a tour please view the school tour information document.
How do I know when my tour is confirmed?
You will receive an e-mail when the Museum education department has received your online tour request form. You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your tour is approved. At this time you will also receive a Behavioral Agreement to sign and e-mail back to the Museum, as well as Teacher and Chaperone Guidelines.
What If I have to cancel or make attendance changes?
Please contact the education department by e-mail (sara.dewaay@pam.org) if you have to add or reduce student numbers. To cancel your tour, log in to the reservation system and navigate to “My Tours” where you can cancel your tour. To avoid the $25.00 cancellation fee you must provide 72 hours notice for all cancellations.
Are there refunds or exchanges?
School tours are free for grades K-12. For college classes, fees once processed, cannot be returned to cover low attendance or a missed tour. We will try to reschedule your group.
How many students can I bring on a tour?
The number of students the Museum is able to accommodate varies based on collection area. To see a list of how many students can go on each tour, please view the school tour information document.
What if i have more students than the gallery i want to tour will allow?
If you have more students than a gallery can hold, we urge you to bring your group in on two different days. If this is not possible, you may either schedule your students into two different galleries at the same time or schedule them consecutively and plan to have half your group wait in a location outside the Museum (park blocks, bus, library, etc.) for each hour long tour.
What if I need to see a certain gallery at a certain time but it isn't listed as an option?
Due to space restrictions and to create meaningful experiences for your students, the Museum cannot accommodate all tour requests. We have done our best to meet teacher, docent, and education staff needs. We offer docent-guided tours at specific times during the day. If you do not see the option you want that means that option is unavailable for your group.
How long is the tour?
Both docent and self-guided tours last one hour. We ask that you have your students divided into groups before you arrive so your tour can begin promptly. For more information, see the teacher guidelines document in your confirmation e-mail. If you are a self-guided group and require more than an hour, please indicate that when you sign up for the tour. The education department will do its best to accommodate your request.
Where do we enter the museum for our tour?
All school groups should enter at the Hoffman entrance. This is the side entrance located next to the sculpture court.
Do we need name tags?
Yes! To facilitate group conversation name tags are very helpful.
Can we take photographs or shoot video/film on our tour?
Visitors to the Museum’s permanent collection galleries are welcome to take photographs or video for personal, noncommercial use. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions and may be restricted for loaned works of art, as indicated by a “No Camera” symbol on the gallery wall. Tripods, monopods, and flash lighting are prohibited at all times.
The Museum reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises or to reproduce photographs of objects in its collection.
Where do we eat lunch?
The Museum does not have a lunchroom. The downtown park blocks, located just across the street, offer park benches and grassy areas.
May we bring our things in the galleries?
Limited, unattended storage is available for jackets. We recommend that backpacks and electronics be left on the bus or at school. Pencils ONLY are allowed in the galleries; clipboards are recommended for written projects during chaperone led self-guided tours. We ask that students do not bring assignments on docent led tours.
What if we arrive late?
Don’t panic, just call us. The education assistant can be reached at 503-276-4248. When your group arrives ask students to stay on the bus while an adult checks in with volunteers and docents who are here to help. They will work your group in as soon as possible. If you do arrive late we cannot guarantee a full tour, as it is dependant on the schedule for the rest of the day. There are no early entries.
Where do buses park?
Bus parking information and directions will be e-mailed to you with your tour confirmation e-mail. Drop off and pick up students in front of the Museum on SW Park Avenue and Madison Avenue. The designated bus parking area is 5 blocks west of the Museum across from Lincoln High School.
What is the best public transportation option?
Plan your trip at trimet.org. There is a MAX stop convenient to the Museum and the TriMet Bus Mall is three blocks away.