Secondary School Students Tour

Each tour will last approximately one hour.

Highlights of the Collection
An introductory tour of Villa Philbrook and the Museum’s permanent collection, which includes examples of Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, ancient art and artifacts, 19th-20th century European and American painting, Asian art, African art and Native American art. Philbrook docents use special questioning techniques to help secondary students develop personal connections with the works of art. A teacher’s packets/cd is available and mailed with confirmation material.

Villa History and Architecture
Originally the home of oilman Waite Phillips and his family, Villa Philbrook was donated to the citizens of Tulsa to become the city’s first art museum in 1938. Hear the story of the Phillips family and their historic home while viewing and discussing architectural features of the Italian Renaissance Revival style villa.

Special Exhibition Tours
Three or four special exhibitions of artwork are displayed at Philbrook each year (please see special exhibition schedule). For each special exhibition, docents attend training that helps them prepare age-appropriate tours. A teacher’s packets/cd is available and mailed with confirmation material.

Special Interest Tours
With at least three weeks notice, a Philbrook docent will develop a custom tour to fit the needs of your group. Focus on one or more areas of the permanent collection, including Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, ancient art and artifacts, 19th-20th century European and American painting, Asian art, African art and Native American Art.

Scheduling a Tour
Guided tours are available by contacting the Education Department at least two weeks prior to your visit. A minimum of 10 people per group is required with a maximum of 60. To schedule a tour, please contact the Education Coordinator at (918) 748-5309 and provide the following information:
  • Date and time of tour (please have two alternate dates and times available)
  • Group name, size, grade level or age
  • Type of tour desired (see tour descriptions)
  • Name of contact person, their phone number and address
  • Any special needs for individuals in your group
A tour confirmation will be mailed along with a set of guidelines for the museum visit. All group members must be made aware of guidelines prior to visiting the museum. Please note that docents are required to wait only 15 minutes after the scheduled tour arrival time. Please be on time.

Subsidies are available to help defray the cost of bus transportation.

Other Middle School Programs

Visual Voyage

Travel back in time to the Renaissance era; immerse yourself in the theories, inventions, and art of the 1400 and 1500s. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth in the arts and in learning. Middle School students will tour Philbrook’s Renaissance masterworks and discover fascinating details about this unique era. Students will participate in an interdisciplinary exploration of Renaissance art, architecture and culture. Activities will include:
  • A docent guided tour of Philbrook’s Renaissance paintings
  • A docent guided exploration of Villa Philbrook as an example of Italian Renaissance architecture
  • Creating a Renaissance shield
  • Learning a Renaissance dance set to contemporary music
Offered Tuesday – Friday, March 6 through April 21, 2006, 9:30 a.m. – Noon.
Visual Voyage is limited to 60 students per Voyage. Pre-Visit and Post-Visit Teacher packets will be mailed with reservation confirmations. There is no fee for Visual Voyage.

Other High School Programs

Student Art League
Greater Tulsa Metropolitan Area High School Juniors and Seniors are nominated to represent their schools and/or community organizations on this leadership group, which plans, participates in, and implements visual art programs at the Gilcrease and Philbrook Museums. The students meet monthly throughout the school year.

Special Exhibit Focused Workshops, Open Studio Time, & Student Exhibits
Each of Philbrook’s Special Exhibits is accompanied by a workshop facilitated by a practicing artist whose primary art medium is the focus of the exhibit. The workshops are followed by six open studios and an exhibit of selected student work.

OUTREACH

Virtual Visit: Philbrook to Go
This interactive docent-led program provides a survey of the major movements in Western Art leading up to the museum’s contemporary art collection. Selections of work from the African and Asian galleries will highlight influence on Modern European Art. Questions will be asked to elicit lively discussion and critical thinking about the role art museums, world events and technologies have on today’s art. Each student will receive a copy of Frequently Asked Questions About Contemporary Art and invitation to physically visit Philbrook.

Scheduling a Philbrook to Go
Philbrook to Go is available by contacting the Education Department at least two weeks prior to the presentation. Philbrook to Go is limited to 25 students per visit. To schedule a Philbrook to Go, please call the Education Coordinator at (918) 748-5309 or e-mail edu@philbrook.org. Please provide the following information.
  • Date and time of presentation
  • Group size (maximum 25 per class), grade level
  • Contact name, phone number, address, e-mail
  • Any special needs for individuals in your group

A tour confirmation will be mailed along with a set of guidelines for the museum visit. All group members must be made aware of guidelines prior to visiting the museum. Please note, docents are required to wait only 15 minutes after the scheduled tour arrival time. To cancel or reschedule a tour, please contact the Education Coordinator as soon as possible at (918) 748-5309.

Teacher Workshops
Workshops for elementary and secondary classroom and art teachers are offered quarterly. The workshops are designed to help educators integrate all aspects of the visual arts into their teaching practice. Call (918) 749-5309 or email edu@philbrook.org for more details.