FOCUS IN

Carrie Robinson-Cannon

Located in Rochester, Minnesota, Rochester Art Center showcases local and international talent with diverse, thought-provoking exhibitions of world-class contemporary art. The exhibits are constantly changing, so every visit offers a new opportunity for inspiration and learning. The museum’s mission, to be a cultural center for innovation and creativity through contemporary art guarantees that there’s always something on view for everyone.

For a personalized, meaningful experience, consider booking a tour with one of our friendly and knowledgeable docent guides. School tours at Rochester Art Center are tailored for different age levels and are inquiry-based and interactive, encouraging meaningful conversation between students and docents. We strive to provide students with the most enjoyable, welcoming experience possible by dividing them into smaller tour groups to allow for careful visual exploration and critical thinking.

Young visitors are encouraged to look, think, and wonder with confidence and curiosity during their tours. The following questions can help them explore the impact of what they saw.

• Which work of art are you drawn to and why do you think you connect with it?
• Were you surprised by anything you saw at the museum today?
• Was there a work of art on the tour that challenged you to consider a different perspective?

At the Art Center, we believe that art can encourage discourse and inspire students to have open discussions about a wide range of topics—from STEM to current events—and that a positive experience increases the likelihood that they will visit and enjoy other art and cultural institutions in the future.

Teachers may choose to expand their time at Rochester Art Center by adding art-making activities or a BYO picnic lunch to their school tour reservation. A menu of activities is available for educators when booking a tour. Art activities take place in the museum’s classrooms and require an additional fee to cover materials. School groups rotate through the galleries and the classroom in a coordinated effort when art-making is added to the program. Students participating in an art activity leave the Art Center with a creative project in hand.

Teachers, administrators, and homeschool instructors may schedule interactive, guided school tours during museum business hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for $3 per student. A limited number of adult chaperones receive complimentary admission on school tours. Self-guided school tours booked in advance are free. To schedule a visit, please complete a School Tour Request form at least three weeks in advance.

Carrie Robinson-Cannon is the program director at Rochester Art Center in Rochester, Minnesota. crobinsoncannon@rochesterartcenter.org; info@rochesterartcenter.org