Homeschoolers

Programs and Resources | Self-guided Groups | Docent-led Tours

Thank you for your interest in programs for children at the National Gallery of Art. We offer many opportunities to serve the needs of homeschoolers.

Programs and Resources

Family Activities
Homeschooler families will find National Gallery of Art Family Activities a convenient source to learn about art and experiment with art making. Children and adults participate together in a variety of workshops, children's films, and storytelling programs for ages four through twelve. All programs are free but some require preregistration.

Teaching Resources
NGA Classroom, an online compendium of electronic teaching resources, offers dynamic in-depth studies on individual artists, works of art, and periods in art history as well as printable guides, worksheets, and lesson plans.

NGA Loan Materials Finder is a searchable library of education resources, including teaching packets, DVDs, CD-ROMs, posters, and curriculum materials available for free loan. Packets may include in-depth illustrated booklets, large color reproductions, and image CDs. Loan materials may be ordered online for delivery (borrowers pay only return postage). Education Resources catalogues are also available free of charge; we can provide multiple copies for teacher inservices or conferences on request.

NGAkids is a collection of interactive "learning to look" activities based on works of art in the National Gallery's collection and in special exhibitions. In the Art Zone, kids play with a Dutch dollhouse, compose a still life, or make interactive art online.

You might also consider attending a teacher workshop to prepare for your trip.

See more resources and tips for planning a visit to the National Gallery of Art.

Self-guided Groups

You are welcome to guide students through the museum independently. Please complete the self-guided group form at least four weeks prior to your visit. This assists museum staff in preventing overcrowding in the galleries. Be sure to indicate whether you would like to receive a catalogue describing teaching resources at the Gallery.

Self-guiding materials such as highlight brochures and scavenger hunts, the Adventures in Art audio tour, and special exhibition self-guides offer individualized experiences for homeschooled groups.

View more self-guiding tips, museum policies, and general information about the National Gallery of Art.

Docent-led Tours

If you are interested in a docent-led tour please note the following requirements:

1. Each group must consist of a minimum of ten students within the identified grade levels for your chosen tour. Please list the ages of participants on your tour request form to help us customize your experience.


2. If you are wondering how a homeschool group might benefit from a specific tour, please e-mail us at homeschoolgroup@nga.gov.


3. On the day of your visit please allow extra time for parking and traffic. The National Mall area can be very busy and congested. View area map, public transportation, and parking information.


4. Please arrive on time at the designated tour starting point to avoid an abbreviated experience for your children.


5. A coordinating docent will contact you by phone or e-mail one to two weeks before the tour. Please be prepared to discuss where the tour fits into the students' curriculum and learning.


6. Please help us maintain the quality of everyone's experience by taking toddlers and babies to an adjacent area should they become disruptive.

Request a docent-led tour

Subscribe to Our Free E-mail Newsletters
Stay up to date with the National Gallery of Art by subscribing to our free e-mail newsletters: CASVA, educators, exhibitions, family programs, fellowships/internships, films, gallery talks/lectures, music programs, teen programs, and Web. Select as many updates as you wish to receive. To edit your subscriber information, please go to our subscription management page.