Welcome! We have important updates to share. Please read.
The Museum has begun a major expansion and renovation project that will make our campus more accessible and welcoming to all. Due to construction during the 2023-24 school year, all regular permanent-collection galleries will be closed. Instead, we welcome you to visit these special exhibitions. Please confirm exhibition dates on the Museum’s website to ensure the exhibition you intend your students to see will be open at the time of your visit.
Reservations are currently available through April 26 for Guided visits and June 9 for Self-Guided visits. Please submit your reservation request at least two weeks in advance.
We are pleased to offer a new, guided K-12 visit program during the 2023-24 school year. Learning Guides engage small groups of students in interactive, participant-centered experiences, including close looking, discussion, sketching, and more, for 30 – 45 minutes. Groups are welcome to remain in the exhibition afterwards for self-guided time. Please see the FAQ for more information.
K-12 students, teachers, chaperones, and aides receive FREE admission with advance registration. K-12 transportation reimbursement is available whenever these costs are a barrier to access. Please email your estimated costs to tours@pam.org.
College groups receive discounted admission of $5.00/student with advance registration, or free admission for College Student Pass holders.
Prepare for your visit
- Group size: We accept 6-48 students per reservation.
- Adult to student ratio: The Museum requests a 1:10 ratio for high school groups and all Guided Visits. 1:6 ratio for K-8 Self-Guided Visits. We recommend additional adults for very young students. Please let us know if you expect to have fewer adults in your group. We’re glad to work with you!
- Review our agreements and expectations in advance with all teachers, students, and chaperones.
- Please divide your students into smaller groups and assign an adult to each group before you enter the museum.
- During construction, the Museum does not have space to store backpacks and lunches. Please leave these items in your vehicle or be prepared to carry items for the duration of your visit. Large backpacks and bags will not be permitted.
- School bus arrival and parking:
- Please be mindful of construction traffic on the southbound side of SW Park Avenue. Buses may load and unload students in front of the Portland Art Museum or across the park at the Oregon Historical Society.
- Bus parking is available at Lincoln High School (1750 SW Salmon St.) between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Drivers must remain with their vehicles and be prepared to move if asked.
- Entering the Museum:
- During construction, all visitors, including K-12 and college groups, will enter the Museum on the SW Park Avenue side of the Main Building.
- One adult should check the group in with the greeter or at the front desk.
- Noise levels in the galleries are sometimes high due to the ongoing construction. We recommend bringing noise-reducing headphones for any students who are especially sensitive. We also offer earplugs at the front desk. We will communicate in advance whenever we have specific information and anticipate high levels of noise.
- The standard group visit duration is 1 hour. During construction, we have reduced capacity to accommodate overlapping groups. However, you’re welcome to stay longer whenever more than one exhibition is open and the tour schedule allows. Please check the dates of special exhibitions and let us know if you would like a longer visit.
- We welcome homeschool groups through the K-12 school reservation system. We ask you to observe the same guidelines as other school groups, including the six-student minimum. Please include no more than one adult for every six children, unless the students are very young.
- Explore our free resources for pre- and post-visit learning.
- Looking for an indoor lunch room? We are grateful to Portland State University for making the Smith Memorial Student Union (1825 SW Broadway) available to school groups.
- Interested in extending your time downtown? Contact these nearby museums to schedule a visit: Oregon Historical Society, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Portland Chinatown Museum.
- Bus parking is available at Lincoln High School (1750 SW Salmon St.) between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Drivers must remain with their vehicles and be prepared to move if asked.
Questions? Contact tours@pam.org.