In-Museum ArtReach
Boise Art Museum’s FREE Program*
In-Museum ArtReach
Education Program for Public & Non-Profit School Group Visits during the academic year
2025-2026
Supported in part by grants from the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, the J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, the Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation, the Idaho Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.2025/2026 Art Museum Experiences
Interactive Stations with BAM Educators in the Museum | Student-Centered Discussions
Art-Making Projects in BAM’s Studios | Aligns with State & National Standards | Connects with Curriculum across Subject Areas
- Tuesday through Friday
- 9:30 a.m.| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m.
- Pre-K – 12th Grades
- 90 Minutes
Select an Experience Below to Learn More & Register
Limited-Time Program for 8th – 12th grade students
Art + Society: Humanities, Government, and Practical Law in Art
Curricular Connections: humanities, government, sociology, psychology, debate, culinary, ceramics, painting, art as activism.
Special program for Students in 8th-12th grade
August 11, 2025 – December 19, 2025
Tuesday through Friday
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. or 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
45-minute program
Students will engage in activities and conversations while experiencing Julie Green: The Last Supper.
Julie Green: The Last Supper features nearly 1,000 hand-painted ceramic plates, illustrating the final meal requests of people on death row in the U.S. This exhibition encourages viewers to consider the U.S. prison system and the way we think about those who are within it. By linking us together through our basic need for food, artist Julie Green sparks a human connection and opens our hearts and minds to individuals in our society who are often disregarded and forgotten. The artist invites people to consider our criminal justice system and societal norms while surrounded by the large installation of hand-painted ceramic plates.
To schedule, please complete the request form and enter three date preferences:
2025/2026 Experiences for Pre-K – 12th grade students
Art + Community: Idaho Artist James Castle (1899 – 1977)
Curricular Connections: Idaho history, language arts, community, storytelling, identity, recycling, close observation, book arts, drawing, sculpture
September 16, 2025 – January 16, 2026
Tuesday through Friday
9:30 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m.
Pre-K – 12th grade | 90-minute program
Students will view and discuss the ways Idaho artist James Castle communicated about place and community by creating artwork.
In the studios, students will share their ideas and life experiences by drawing with charcoal.
James Castle (1899-1977), born in Garden Valley, Idaho, is internationally celebrated for his lifelong artistic practice and contributions as a Deaf artist. His art provides a unique visual record of seven decades of life in rural Idaho during the 20th century. Inspired by what he saw during his everyday experiences, James Castle created drawings and constructions to make sense of the world around him. His artwork shows what is possible with a perspective of curiosity and a creative drive.
Art + Science in History: Four Masterworks from the National Gallery of Art
Curricular Connections: U.S. history, world history, art history, social studies, science, color theory, painting
January 20 – January 30, 2026
Tuesday through Friday
9:30 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m.
Pre-K – 12th grade | 90-minute program
Students will participate in activities and discussions related to four artworks created by famous master artists between 1841 and 1950, a time of significant scientific, cultural, and civic advancements, and world events. In the studios, students will create their own artworks based on our times, using today’s scientific and artistic knowledge.
Students will learn about visionary artists who challenged acceptable art practices and presented original ideas for their times. Thomas Eakins, Berthe Morisot, and Mark Rothko were instrumental in shifting each current art movement toward a new art movement – from Realism to Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism. They were inventors of art history.
Boise Art Museum is one of only ten American art museums to be invited to participate in the National Gallery of Art’s “Across the Nation” lending initiative. This program makes it possible for us to share with our community four significant works of art from the National Gallery’s permanent collection in Washington, D.C.
Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), Young Woman with a Straw Hat, 1884
Thomas Eakins (1844-1916), Harriet Husson Carville (Mrs. James G. Carville), 1904
Mark Rothko (1903-1970), Untitled, 1948
Mark Rothko (1903-1970), Untitled, 1950
Art + Story: Symbols and Stories in American Art
Curricular Connections: U.S. history, language arts, storytelling, identity, symbolism, color theory, math/geometry
February 3, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Tuesday through Friday
9:30 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m.
Pre-K – 12th grade | 90-minute program
Students will experience activities and interactive discussions while being surrounded by vibrant, dynamic artworks, in the exhibition Jeffrey Gibson: They Teach Love, including beaded punching bags, quilted garment installations, elk-hide drums, geometric paintings, and large-scale photographs. In the studios, students will create their own artworks with bold colors and geometric patterns.
Internationally known artist Jeffrey Gibson is of Mississippi Choctaw and Cherokee heritage. He combines objects from Native American cultures into his powerful artworks that tell stories of hope.
FREE Program Information:
- An interactive experience facilitated by BAM Educators, with;
- Studio artmaking activity;
- Admission for 15-35 Students (15 Student Minimum, 35 Student Maximum);
- Admission for a maximum of 6 chaperons (1 teacher and up to 5 chaperons);
- Teacher Preview Pass to view artwork in advance of visit.
One adult chaperon per 15 students is required. At least two weeks’ notice is required for rescheduling or cancellation. Groups canceling after this time will be charged a partial visit cost of $60 per program.
Schedule and Plan
1. Select a Program
Please read the program descriptions carefully and select the program that best fits your curriculum and student interests.
2. Request an In-Museum ArtReach Program online or contact us at 208-345-8330 ext. 118 or education@boiseartmuseum.org. Teachers—please view available times and schedule your In-Museum ArtReach visit. Program reservations must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the requested visit date. We recommend that you schedule now for the entire 2024-2025 academic year, as program visits fill quickly.
At least two weeks’ notice is required for rescheduling or cancellation. Groups canceling after this time will be charged a partial visit cost of $60 per program.
3. Share the Pre-Visit Packet
You will receive a Pre-Visit Art Packet via email at least two weeks prior to your scheduled program for you to share with students. Pre-Visit Art Packets include important information about the program to help prepare your students and chaperons for their visit to BAM. Current Pre-Visit Art Packets are also available online »
Other Information
Transportation Reimbursement Program
BAM offers a Transportation Reimbursement Program to help schools offset busing costs. Additional Information will be shared in the registration confirmation email.
Location
BAM is located within Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise. Scheduled and confirmed school groups enter and exit the building through the BACK Education Entrance of the Museum facing the Julia Davis Park Rose Garden.
*Co-Op, For-Profit, and Home School Groups
BAM charges an In-Museum ArtReach flat fee of $100 for Co-Op, For-Profit, and Home School groups for up to 30 students (6 years old and above) and 4 adults. Paid admission is required for additional adults.
Please email education@boiseartmuseum.org for more information and to schedule.
Unscheduled Visits
To ensure high-quality experiences, unscheduled groups are not admitted to the Museum when their visit conflicts with already-scheduled groups. Teachers—if you prefer to reserve a time for a Self-Guided Group visit, please do so at least two weeks in advance. Admission fees and group size limits apply. Learn more and schedule here »
All programs are accessible and inclusive. Please notify staff of any special needs or concerns when scheduling a program.
Each Reservation Includes:
- Free admission for up to 35 Students
- Free admission for 1 teacher and 5 chaperons (for a total of 6 adults)
- An educator facilitated interactive experience and an art making activity
For questions email education@boiseartmuseum.org
or call 208-345-8330 x118
