Pre-Scheduled Docent-Led Tour Museum Manners

Please share and discuss these MUSEUM MANNERS with your students and chaperons.

UPON ARRIVING
NAMETAGS ON: Students should have their first-name-only nametags on and should be divided into two small groups of fifteen with at least one and no more than two chaperons per group.
EMPTY MOUTHS: Food, drink and gum are NOT permitted in the galleries. Students may dispose of these items in the outside trash can before entering the Museum.
LEAVE BEHIND: Cameras (conventional, digital, video), large purses, backpacks, coats and umbrellas are NOT permitted in the galleries. These items should be left on the bus or may be stored by the back exit until the end of the visit. First aid kits must be smaller than 11” X 15” and must be worn on the front of the chaperons’ bodies. BAM has first aid kits on site.
TURN OFF PHONES: Cell phone use is NOT permitted in the Museum.

IN THE MUSEUM
NO TOUCHING: The Museum must protect and preserve art for the future. The oils that keep your hands smooth and soft can damage an artwork, even if you think you’re touching carefully. If lots of people touch a work of art, even gently, the oils from their hands will discolor or destroy the surface of the artwork, and eventually it will wear down or break. Use your eyes to tell if something is smooth or rough, shiny or dull, etc.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: A distance of at least twelve inches between students and a piece of art is required. Leaning on cases and walls is not permitted.
NOISE LEVEL: We don’t expect the students to be silent. We do expect them to be respectful of others in the galleries and use appropriate “indoor” voices.
SEATING: We expect students to sit on the gallery floors for group discussions so all group members are able to see the artwork and to participate in the conversations. This encourages the group to stay together and to stay focused. Lying on the floor is not allowed as it limits student participation and causes difficulty for other visitors in the galleries.
DISCIPLINE: Discipline is everyone’s responsibility. We expect you to help your group members understand their responsibility for their own behavior. Stress to your group to use inside behavior and to save running and jumping for outside in the park. Please ask adults not to have conversations in the galleries during the tour. Adults should follow the museum manners and be good examples for students.
PENS: Pens, markers, and other writing/art materials are not allowed in the galleries.

THE MUSEUM STORE
There will not be an opportunity for shopping at The Museum Store during your guided tour. At the Museum, docents will provide return tickets to the teacher for each student. These tickets allow the students to return and visit the Museum for free. During this return visit, students may shop at The Museum Store.

Please review this information with all chaperons and make them aware of the expectations for student behavior.

Chaperons are responsible for supervising their groups in the galleries and studios and making sure they follow the MUSEUM MANNERS.