Exciting changes are coming to the Ryan Learning Center next year.
For ten years, the Ryan Learning Center (RLC) has been a space for art making and participatory learning for school children, teachers, families, and teens—but we know it can do more! Starting in January 2020, we’ll be renovating the RLC to make it an even more accessible and inclusive space for all audiences.
Be aware that some parts of the RLC will be closed this winter and spring, which will impact our capacity. If you can, we recommend you book your visit with us this fall.
To make your visit a success, follow these steps:
- Browse our tour options below to find the right experience for you and your students
- Request your tour using our Student Tour Application at least two weeks in advance of your preferred date
- Review our FAQs and Resources below for helpful tips and information
Contact us at (312) 443-3907 or studenttours@artic.edu if you have questions or cannot find what you need.
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Guided Tours (Grades 1–5)
Explore docent-led tour options for students in grades 1–5. -
Guided Tours (Grades 6–12)
Explore docent-led tour options for students in grades 6–12. -
Self-Guided Tours (Grades Pre-K–12)
Teachers can lead their students on a tour without a museum docent. -
Summer Tours
Bring your summer youth group to the museum for a guided or self-guided tour.
Grades K–8: Free for all students
Grades 9–12: Free for Illinois students, $11 per student for out-of state groups
Requisite number of chaperones (according to chaperone ratios): Free
Additional chaperones:
Illinois residents: $20
Out-of-state residents: $23
Chaperone Ratios
Pre K–K: 1 adult per 4 students
Grades 1–2: 1 adult per 6 students
Grades 3–12: 1 adult per 10 students
Please note that adults serving as student aides or translators receive complimentary admission.
The Ruth Powell Museum Visit Fund provides scholarships to Chicago Public Schools and Big Shoulders Fund schools in the Chicagoland area.
All Chicago Public School or Big Shoulders Fund school groups are eligible to apply for full funding for one visit to the museum. Please indicate your desire for a scholarship on the tour application and you will receive next steps in organizing your transportation logistics from our bus vendor.
This program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding for the year is limited, so apply early!
Our bus vendor is best able to meet your needs if you book your trip at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled program and your pick-up and drop-off times are between 9:00 - 2:00.
Use our resources to plan for your student tour in advance.
- Educator Resources include a variety of activities and artist and artwork information tailored for K-12 learners.
- JourneyMaker can help you create a scavenger hunt with engaging activities for young students.
- What to See in an Hour identifies the most iconic artworks in the collection.
- The Collection allows you to search for artworks by theme and keywords including “Chicago artists,” “animals,” and “mythology.”
- Social Narrative provides an overview of the experience students can look forward to during their visit to the Art Institute of Chicago.
Resources for English Language Learners
We do not currently offer tours in languages other than English, but will incorporate strategies for working with English Language Learners and can sometimes make advanced arrangements for translators or bilingual tours.
Accessibility
Students and educators of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome to take part in student tours at the museum. For a complete list of resources, please visit Accessibility.
Accessibility resources available to support your experience include:
- Wheelchairs for loan
- Assistance planning tour routes that use elevators instead of stairs
- Private restroom or other space for medical needs
- Quiet or calming space
- Social narrative previewing what to expect during a visit to the museum
- Assisted-listening devices
- ASL interpretation (please provide at least 24 hours advanced notice)
- Tactile resources (including the Touch Gallery and 3-D scans of select artworks)
- Complimentary admission for adults serving as student aides or translators
To request an accessibility accommodation for a student tour, contact us at (312) 433-3907 or studenttours@artic.edu as far in advance as possible. For more information, visit the Accessibility page.
All tours meet Illinois Learning Standards in Language Arts, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts.
Language Arts
- Goal 1 Reading: All tours
- Goal 2 Literature: All tours
- Goal 3 Writing: All tours (please request that writing strategies be incorporated into your program)
- Goal 4 Listening and Speaking: All tours
Social Sciences
- Goal 16 History: All tours
- Goal 18 Social Systems: All tours
Fine Arts
- Goal 25 Language of the Arts: All tours
- Goal 26 Creating and Performing: All tours (please request that embodiment and drawing strategies be incorporated into your program)
- Goal 27 Arts and Civilization: All tours
Foreign Languages
- Goal 29 Culture and Geography: Art of France, Art of Spain, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
I submitted a tour request to visit the Art Institute. What happens next?
You will be provided with a receipt code in response to your initial submission. Once your tour request has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation for your tour; this may take up to 7 business days.
Why is the tour I’m interested in not available?
Tour availability is based on a number of factors, including gallery capacity and docent availability. If you cannot find availability for a tour that you are interested in, please contact our Tours Team at 312-443-3907 or studenttours@artic.edu. They will be happy to assist you.
How much will my guided tour cost?
Student Prices:
K–8: Free for all students
9–12: Free for Illinois students, $11 per student for out-of state groups
Chaperone Prices:
Requisite number of chaperones: Free of charge
Additional chaperones:
Illinois residents: $20
Out-of-state residents: $23
- Prices are the same for all tour types.
- Payment is required in advance of your visit and is not accepted at the Student Group Entrance.
- Payment can be made via check, credit, or debit card. Instructions are included in the confirmation email.
- Adults serving as student aides or translators receive complimentary admission.
- Educator Admission Passes may not be used to gain free admission for additional chaperones.
Do I need a ticket for my tour?
Be prepared to show your email confirmation when you arrive for your tour. This will serve as your admission ticket.
What happens on my docent-led tour?
Docent-led tours are unscripted, interactive experiences with an inquiry-based approach. A docent will reach out to you a few weeks before your visit to learn more about your students. Please respond to the docent’s questions, as this will help them craft a tour for your group. You do not need to prepare activities for your tour, but you are welcome to take your group back into the galleries to self guide after your docent-led tour.
I’m interested in sketching in the galleries, taking notes, and taking photos during my docent-led tour. Are these activities allowed?
Docent-led tours often involve creative activities in addition to discussion. However, please reserve time after your tour to self guide if you are interested in having your students sketch more, take further notes, complete worksheets, or take photos. Please refer to museum’s FAQs for restrictions regarding photography, filming, and sketching.
Who is counted as a chaperone and what are a chaperone’s responsibilities during the tour?
Chaperones are required to accompany all tours as students explore the museum. Chaperones are responsible for their students throughout their museum experience.
All accompanying adults are counted as chaperones, including educators, parents, one-to-one aides, and other persons at least 18 years of age who are responsible for students in the group. Please register all chaperones in advance through the tour application. Additional adults beyond the required chaperone ratios may result in extra fees.
How many chaperones can come on my scheduled tour?
The number of chaperones allowed on a tour depends on the number of students who are registered.
Chaperone Ratios:
Pre K–K: 1 adult per 4 students
Grades 1–2: 1 adult per 6 students
Grades 3–12: 1 adult per 10 students
Access tours allow for flexibility and welcome the inclusion of aides up to 1 adult per student.
Where can my group eat lunch at the museum?
There are several options for school group lunches in the museum that require advance arrangements: studio lunches and the student café program. When the weather is warm, school groups are also welcome to eat lunch before or after their tour in one of our gardens—the North Garden, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, or the South Garden, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson Street.
Studio Lunches
A limited number of studio spaces are available for groups to use for eating their own sack lunches. Lunches may be timed to occur either directly before or after a docent-led or teacher-led tour. Requests for a lunch space must be confirmed. Your tour confirmation email will verify whether your group has been scheduled to use a lunch space.
Student Café Program
Teachers may make advance arrangements to purchase box lunches or dining vouchers for the Museum Café. Arrangements are made directly with Bon Appétit (the museum’s internal catering company), not through the School Programs office. Contact Bon Appétit at (312) 443-3530.
Please note that peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish are consumed in our lunch spaces.