School Programs

The Huntington is committed to providing inclusive, student-centered experiences for K–12 students. All school programs, both on-site and virtual, are free and open to grades K–12. Each school program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to look closely, ask questions, and engage in deep discussions in order to make connections and inspire curiosity. To reserve a school program at The Huntington, please review the information below, then register using the following button.

Registration is now closed for Jan–May 2023 school programs.

“The strongest part of the program was the open-ended questions. It allowed students to share what they individually thought, as well as help other students think differently about different artwork.” —LAUSD teacher

On-Site Programs

Docent-Led Programs

Docent-led programs are themed tours that engage deeply with three to four objects and locations in the art galleries, gardens, and library. Docents are trained to facilitate inclusive, engaging investigations through strategies including close looking, deep discussion, drawing, movement, and writing. Groups will be divided and assigned to a docent; tour locations will vary among groups.

Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Programs begin at 10 or 10:30 a.m.
Programs are for groups of 15 students or more
Docent-led programs last 90 minutes; groups are welcome to stay and explore The Huntington after their guided tour
Bus funding is available
All students receive a School Programs Booklet and pencil
Programs take place rain or shine

Themes:

Nature and Art
How do we make art inspired by nature? In this program, students will investigate artworks inspired by nature and explore gardens using an artistic lens. Students will reflect on the diverse ways in which the natural world inspires art and artists, using discussion, sketching, writing, and movement. This tour is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Identity and Community
How do we represent ourselves and our communities through art? In this program, students will investigate artworks and gardens that spotlight the artist’s identity, the identity of the person being portrayed, or the values of a community. Students will reflect on how an artist’s choices can reflect personal identity and what identity and community mean to them using discussion, sketching, writing, and movement. This program is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Nature Walks

Nature Walks are guided explorations of The Huntington’s gardens and outdoor spaces that emphasize a focus on the present moment and connecting with nature. Nature Walks are led by our team of Huntington Education staff who incorporate sensory engagement, discussion, close looking, and writing. Groups will be divided and assigned to a Huntington Education staff member; tour locations will vary among groups.

Available on Mondays
Programs begin at 10 or 10:30 a.m.
Programs are for groups of 15 students or more
Each tour lasts 60 minutes; groups are welcome to stay and explore The Huntington after their guided tour
Bus funding is available
All students receive a School Programs Booklet and pencil
Programs take place rain or shine

Virtual Programs: The Huntington Comes to Class

The Huntington Comes to Class is an assortment of live virtual learning programs facilitated by knowledgeable Huntington Education staff who virtually visit your classroom using your school district’s online platform of choice. Students will embark on a student-centered, themed investigation of The Huntington’s primary sources, artworks, and/or plants. All programs are interactive and include drawing, writing, movement, and other activities.

Available on Tuesdays
Programs begin between 9 a.m. and noon
Each program lasts 45 minutes
Programs are intended for one class of 15 to 40 students (for larger groups, please indicate the number of students in the form)
Teachers must be present with their camera turned on to monitor student engagement and conduct
Students will need paper and pencil

Themes

Art Encounters Levels, 1, 2 and 3: How can you interpret and analyze art? In this interactive program, we will explore paintings, statues, and objects from across The Huntington’s art collections. In this interactive program, elementary students will explore the different genres of art. Older students will explore how an artist’s choices influence the message the artwork conveys and how responses to art develop with new knowledge. By the end of this program, all students will have looked closely at a range of genres and explored art through dialogue, drawing, and writing.
Botanical Encounters Levels 1, 2 and 3: How can we learn from and think about the unique plants that grow at The Huntington? In this interactive program, elementary students will explore shapes and movement of plants, consider the effects of different environments on plant life, talk about animal interactions with plants, and learn where some of our favorite foods come from. Older students will explore plants as art forms, ways of growing, research and preservation, and environmental impact on growth patterns. By the end of this program, all students will have looked closely at botanical images and expressed their understanding through dialogue, drawing, and writing.
Library Encounters Levels 1, 2 and 3: Can everyday objects be art? What do these objects tell us? In this interactive program, elementary students will look closely at library images such as family albums, posters, maps, and photographs and express their ideas about art in everyday objects. Older students will investigate the purpose of the communication and how art was used to facilitate the purpose. By the end of this program, all students will have looked closely at library images and expressed their ideas through dialogue, drawing, and writing.
Explorations in American Histories: How can primary sources help us explore diverse histories of the United States? In this program, students will use primary sources to consider historical perspectives of changemakers, activists, and everyday people. Students will use historical thinking to reason with evidence and make connections between the past and their world today. By the end of this program, all students will have looked closely at primary sources and expressed their understanding through writing, drawing and dialogue.
Beauty and the Natural World: Where can we see beauty in the natural world? How can we make art inspired by nature? In this program, we explore Huntington artworks and botanical images to look closely at the features of plants and the diverse ways in which the natural world inspires art and artists. By the end of the program, all students will have looked closely at artworks and botanical images and employed their close looking skills to help generate their own artistic response to the natural world.

Download/print School Programs Calendar [PDF]

California State Standards for School Programs

Common Core State Standards – English Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1 Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own ideas clearly and persuasively
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally

California English Language Development Standards

ELD.PI.K-12.1 Exchanging information and ideas with others through oral collaborative discussions on a range of social and academic topics
ELD.PI.K-12.3 Offering and supporting opinions and negotiating with others in communicative exchanges
ELD.PI.K-12.5 Listening actively to spoken English in a range of social and academic contexts
ELD.PII.K-12.6 Connecting ideas

College, Career & Civic Life (C3)

D2.Civ.7.K-3 / 3-5 / 6-8 / 9-12 Apply civic virtues and democratic principles when participating in school/community settings/when working with others

Preparing for Your School Program Visit

On-site programs: Watch the School Programs pre-visit video
On-site programs: Prepare your students by previewing the School Program Booklet (English) | School Program Booklet (Spanish) | School Program Booklet (Chinese)
Virtual programs: Watch “The Huntington Comes to Class” welcome video

Frequently Asked Questions

What time will the program begin?

In-person/on-site programs: On-site programs will begin at the time you choose: 10 or 10:30 a.m. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your program to allow time for check-in, greetings, and instructions.

Virtual programs: To accommodate different school schedules, programs are available between 9 a.m. and noon. All virtual school programs will last 45 minutes.

What is the teacher’s role during the program?

In-person/on-site programs: Teachers must be present and should bring enough adult chaperones for the number of students attending the program. The role of the teachers and chaperones is to keep students safe and focused on the activity and discussion during the program.

A minimum chaperone-to-student ratio of 1-to-10 and a maximum ratio of 1-to-4 is required. This will ensure proper student guidance during the tour, while also respecting the space at The Huntington.

Virtual programs: To promote a safe and enjoyable learning experience for all, teachers must be present with their camera on throughout the program. Teachers are responsible for monitoring student behavior and any chat functions on the platform.

What can teachers do to prepare students for their learning experience?

Teachers can prepare their students by reviewing our Huntington Code of Conduct with students, watching the pre-visit video, and viewing the “Close Looking at The H” videos.

How many students can participate in a school program?

Both virtual and in-person programs can accommodate 15 to 40 students. For larger groups, please indicate the number of students in the registration form.

Can I bring multiple grade levels to a school program?

The programs can accommodate mixed-grade classrooms, such as second- and third-grade students in one room, or a high school class composed of multiple grade levels.

After I request a program online, what is the next step?

Applicants will be notified 10 days after registration closes whether they are registered for a program or wait-listed. If you are registered for a program, you will receive pre-visit preparation material via email and will be asked to confirm your scheduled program.

Am I guaranteed a program after registering?

You are guaranteed a program after you have received a confirmation email. If registration requests exceed the number of program dates available, you will be added to the waitlist.

If I’m wait-listed for the program I requested, when will I find out if a date becomes available?

We will contact wait-listed groups as soon as we receive notification of a cancellation.

Can I take screenshots or record the virtual program while it is in session?

We do not allow screenshots or recordings by any participant in the program.

What is your policy about wearing masks during school programs?

Following the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance, The Huntington is able to make the wearing of masks in both indoor and outdoor spaces optional for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. During our school tours, we will follow your school’s policy on mask-wearing, as the policy is different from school to school.

Still have questions? Email us at schoolprograms@huntington.org