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: Black Artists of Oregon, Throughlines, and Africa Fashion. 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 February 18, 2024. Please submit your reservation request at least two weeks in advance.
We are thrilled to launch a new, guided K-12 visit program available starting in October on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:15 and 1:15 at no charge. 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.
Self-guided class visits will continue to be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays after 1:00 and all day on Thursdays and weekends.
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.
- Please leave coats and bags in your vehicle, due to limited storage space during construction.
- School bus arrival and parking:
- Through September 17, drop off and pick up students in the loading zone in front of the Museum on SW Park Ave at Madison. Follow the map and directions for bus parking.
- After September 18, please avoid southbound Park Ave. between Main and Jefferson. Drop off and pick up students across the way on northbound Park Ave. in front of the Oregon Historical Society. Students should walk to Jefferson Ave, and turn right to cross to the Portland Art Museum. Map and directions to come.
- Entering the Museum:
- Through September 17, enter the Museum on the north side of the main building off of the outdoor courtyard near the gift shop.
- After September 18, use the front entrance to the Museum on SW Park Ave.
- One adult should check the group in with the greeter or at the front desk.
- 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.
Questions? Contact tours@pam.org.