Tours

Thank you for your interest in visiting the Missoula Art Museum!

Our guided tours are free of charge and are designed for students in first grade and up, as well as community groups and adult visitors who want to connect more deeply with contemporary art through conversation, creativity, and discovery. We use an inquiry method of engagement for all guided tours.  

A MAM docent leads a group of visitors on a tour of the exhibition. 
A MAM docent leads a group of visitors on a tour of the exhibition.

  • Visitors are welcome to tour the museum informally using materials in each exhibition, including guides, Engage-By-Cell QR codes that link to brief artist statements, and interpretive wall texts.n text goes here

  • MAM provides free tours of the galleries led by trained docents or MAM staff. Groups sizes should be 15 participants or less. 

  • MAM staff provide free, weekly tours of the galleries on Saturdays at 11:00 AM. The Saturday tours are the same as the other varieties of tours at MAM in their overall direction, but no two will be the same as they will be shaped by your questions and interests!

What to Expect:

Tours are typically 1 hour long and include:

  • A 10-minute introduction to the museum and its history

  • Visits to two exhibitions (approximately 20 minutes each)

  • Interactive discussion and engagement with the artwork through our Inquiry Method

‍Our tours encourage active participation from both visitors and docents, creating meaningful and personal connections with the art. Before you visit, feel free to look at our list of current and upcoming exhibitions and let our Education Team know if there are any specific shows you would like to explore during your tour.

Scheduling a Tour for Schools, Groups, and Organizations

MAM offers group tours to school groups, community organizations, and the public, when requested in advance. Pre-visit materials and information will be sent upon request. 

If your group includes more than 15 individuals, please email Kay Grissom-Kiely, Curator of Education. Two weeks' notice is requested for scheduling a tour. 

Arrival Information

Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled tour time. This allows time to store backpacks and water bottles before entering the galleries.

Sketching and Writing During the Tour

We recognize that everyone learns and connects differently. Visitors are welcome to sketch or write during the tour as a way to engage with the artwork. If your group would like this option, please let our Visitor Educators know when you arrive at the museum.

Group Size

To maintain a high-quality experience, we can accommodate a maximum of 20 participants per tour. If your group has more than 20 people, please sign up for two tour slots so we can arrange for additional volunteer docents to guide the experience. If your group would like a longer visit, we also recommend reserving more than one time slot.

Accessibility and Accommodations

If your group requires any accommodations for the tour experience, please let us know in advance. MAM welcomes visitors of all abilities, learning styles, and neurodiverse experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can engage with art in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.