Tour Topics

Join us for tours on the following topics. Your guide will invite you to look closely at artworks and ask open-ended questions to help you make connections and engage in conversation. Tours are adapted for different age groups.

Animals in Art
Look for real and imaginary animals in works of art from around the world. Children can share what they see and know about animals and their habits. Explore how humans and animals interact, and hear stories with animals in leading roles.

Art and Activism
Discover how art focuses on issues, communicates multiple perspectives, and asks challenging questions. Learn how artists use their voices and imagery to inspire activism and bring about social change. Examine how artists invoke empathy, which involves looking outside ourselves and trying to identify with the experiences of others.

Art and Human Connections
On this Social and Emotional Learning-inspired tour, experience diverse ways art can assist learners in developing self and social awareness skills. Artworks invite engagement centered on identifying feelings, respect for self and others, empathy, perspective taking, collaboration, and valuing diverse cultures, communities and relationships.

Art and Identity
Gain insights into the expression and impact of identity through sharing diverse perspectives while examining art. Consider how art reveals varied stories, life experiences, and memories.

Arts of the Ancient World
Unlock the mysteries of the ancient world through works of art that tell us about life in this world and the next. Compare and contrast works made in Africa, the Americas, and Asia with objects from ancient Mediterranean cultures.

Black American Arts and Artists
Using various media, artists have documented and celebrated the African American experience. Discover and explore their important contributions, from self-taught artist William Edmondson to contemporary artist Nick Cave.

Native American Arts and Artists
Celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Native America as expressed in superb works of art. Experience the role of tradition and innovation in works from historic to contemporary times.

 

Highlights of Mia’s Collection
Highlights tours are focused on specific collections. Please choose a topic from below.

Introduction to Mia
Experience splendid art from around the world and throughout time in Mia’s collection, sampling memorable highlights from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe as students explore the museum and learn through observation and discussion.

Arts of Africa
Discover highlights of art from the diverse continent of Africa, looking at objects of daily use to regalia for royalty. Learn about masquerade, preparing for the afterlife, and the importance of community and spiritual beliefs.

Arts of Asia
Journey through China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, experiencing storied highlights that range from jade sculptures and Buddhist shrines, to monumental landscapes and delicate decorative arts. 

Arts of the Americas
Observe how artists tap into their unique heritages to illustrate life and culture in the Americas through time. Through these diverse perspectives, explore engaging stories shown in a range of media and materials.

Arts of Europe
Learn about European history and culture, tracing changing attitudes toward art and life through an exploration of works from Medieval to modern times. Highlights include works by celebrated artists of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist eras.

Global Contemporary Art 
Discover the many ways modern and contemporary artists have responded to their environment and defied conventional notions of what constitutes art. Discuss artworks that push boundaries and encourage new perspectives.