Discovery Days
Discovery Days offer students an interactive way to explore art beyond a traditional tour. At learning stations throughout the museum, students participate in grade-level activities that spark curiosity and encourage discovery. They can choose which stations to visit, engaging with art through touch, sight, sound, and movement. These activities help students make meaningful connections with art and cultures from around the world.
Teaching artists and studio assistants lead artmaking sessions in Mia’s studios, where students practice art skills and explore creative ideas inspired by global cultures.
Discovery Days Themes
Arts of Africa, the Americas, China, and Japan (Second Floor)
Students explore artworks and cultures from across the world through discovery stations and in galleries on the museum’s second floor.
Arts of Exploration, Fashion, Minnesota History, and Modern Life (Third floor)
Students investigate themes such as the Age of Exploration (1600s), European and American fashion in the 1700s, life and art in early Minnesota, and modern art and photography through discovery stations and in galleries on the museum’s third floor.
Discovery Days alternate between the second- and third-floor experiences. When registering, please look carefully at the request form to make sure that the date you select matches the floor and themes you’d like your students to experience.
Scheduling Information
School groups must register in advance for Wednesday Discovery Days sessions at 10 or 11 a.m.
Mia members and the public may drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Discovery Days. All Saturday Discovery Days are drop-in experiences.
Floor Schedule
Second Floor
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Wednesday, January 27, 2027
Wednesday, February 17, 2027
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Wednesday, April 14, 2027
Wednesday, May 12, 2027
Wednesday, June 30, 2027
Third Floor
Wednesday, August 26, 1926
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Wednesday, March 17, 2027
Wednesday, April 28, 2027
Wednesday, May 19, 2027
Wednesday, June 2, 2027