Learn & Teach

Connect with diverse collections and exhibitions through tours, programs, and resources for learners of all ages. From lively gallery programs to educator resources and virtual tours, there are a variety of ways to experience all that’s offered at the Palmer Museum of Art.

University students at the Palmer Museum

University Students

Find information about internships, student volunteer opportunities, and fun, creative programs designed for Penn State students.
Info for university students
Faculty in the Object Study Room at the Palmer

Faculty

Learn about class visits, object study sessions, curriculum connections with the museum, collaborative opportunities for exhibition development, and more!
Info for faculty
Kid tour at the Palmer

K–12 School & Educators

​Explore field trip programs, online educator resources, and opportunities for professional development at the museum.
Info for K–12 schools and educators
Palmer Museum outreach at Arts Fest

Community

Discover workshops, art classes, wellness programs volunteer opportunities, and creative opportunities for all ages!
Info for the community

Tours

Deepen your engagement with the Palmer’s collections and exhibitions with a guided or self-guided tour.​

Drop-in Tours 

Regularly scheduled tours are available free-of-charge for individuals or small groups (up to eight people) to drop-in, no reservation needed. These participatory tours explore highlights of the collection and special exhibitions through a unifying theme and encourage visitors to connect with artworks and share ideas with fellow visitors. Visit our Community programs page for a list of upcoming tour dates and themes.

Self-guided Tours 

Groups are welcome to explore the galleries on their own, but we ask that you reserve a date and time in advance to avoid overcrowded galleries or program conflicts.

 

Guided Tours 

 

Groups of eight or more people can request a private guided tour, led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable Museum Guides. Tours feature conversation, dialogue, and experiential activities to explore a variety of works connected through a unifying theme.

 

Three weeks advance notice is required for scheduling guided tours and two weeks for self-guided visits.

 

 

Request a Self-guided or Museum Staff Guided Tour
Guided tour at the Palmer

Fees:

Penn State Classes offered free of charge.​

K-12 Public School Groups:​

  • $30 for groups up to 12  ​
  • $60 for groups of 13–24  ​
  • $90 for groups of 25–36  ​
  • $120 for groups of 37–48  ​
  • $150 for groups of 49–60 ​

Adult and Community Youth  Groups:​

  • $100 for groups of 8-19​
  • $200 for groups of 20-29​
  • $300 for groups of 30-39​
  • $400 for groups of 40-49​
  • $500 for groups of 50-59​

Browse tour themes and specialized programs for different groups on the following pages:

​University Classes

K-12 School Groups

Private and Community Groups


Online Resources

Engage with the museum's collection through virtual tours, online exhibitions, webinars, and art activity videos.

Are you looking for a way to stay connected to the Palmer Museum of Art and experience art from the comfort of your home? With just a few clicks, art-enthusiasts of all ages can explore museum collections, watch recorded talks, take virtual tours, and access video resources to get creative, plan lessons and curriculum, explore the collection, or enhance a future visit to the museum.

Click here to explore online resources
Africa in Art virtual tour

Talks & Conversations

Take a deeper dive into the permanent collection or a special exhibition by attending a lecture, gallery talk, or museum conversation led by museum staff, visiting scholars, students, faculty, guest artists, or community members. Upcoming talks:

Thursday, June 13, 6:00 p.m. | MADE IN PA

Erin Coe, Palmer Museum Director, and Joyce Robinson, Assistant Director

Sunday, June 23, 2:00 p.m. | MADE IN PA on Paper

Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator

Thursday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. | MADE IN PA on Paper

Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator

Sunday, July 14, 2:00 p.m. | MADE IN PA

Joyce Robinson, Assistant Director

Thursday, August 1, 6:00 p.m. | The Art of Teaching: Medical Education and the Integrated Curriculum

Penn State Medical School Doctors Mike Flanagan and Mark Stephens and museum educators Brandi Breslin and Keri Mongelluzzo

Have questions about educational programs at the museum? Contact Brandi Breslin at bgb56@psu.edu.


The Collection

Learn more about the Palmer Museum’s growing collection of nearly 11,000 objects and why it is considered the leading cultural resource of the region.

Click here to visit our Collections page.

Grafton Tyler Brown, Hot Springs at Yellowstone, 1889, oil on canvas, 16 x 24 inches. Purchased with funds from the Terra Art Enrichment Fund, 2020.16.

Impact the arts and your community! Directly engage with the Palmer Museum. Work with Us!