Planning your field trip

When planning your field trip to the Dixon, there are many options to choose from! The Dixon offers both gallery and garden focused tours which can be either self-guided, docent-led or sketching based. Keep in mind that the size of your group largely determines which type of tour you will go on. We suggest visits be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

While we offer many forms of tours, we strongly encourage any Pre-K through 5th grade groups to consider signing up for Dixon Discoveries to maximize the learning and fun potential of your visit.

Please note: All requests submitted after September 27th will be processed after October 14th. Thank you for your patience.

Tour Types

Self-guided tours encourage teachers to take charge of the visit and walk the students through the galleries. Upon arriving to the museum, the group will receive a brief orientation with an overview of the Dixon history and collections. Teachers are welcome to visit the museum prior to the field trip and explore the different exhibitions in order to select specific artworks to discuss on the groups’ visit. By request, educators can schedule a short meeting with a member of the education department to help design the tour and provide materials.

Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)

Who can come: Pre-K through graduate school

Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 30 individuals

Requirements: Ratio of 1:5 adult/students for Pre-K through 5th and 1:7 for 6th-12th
This one-hour session includes an interactive tour of the galleries and/or gardens, followed by a hands-on activity. Each session is designed to meet the Common Core Standards and help with your units of study.

Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)

Grades: Pre-K through 12th

Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 30 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups

Requirements: Ratio of 1:5 adult/students

Other activity options are available for larger groups of up to 75.
The supplies will include papers or sketchpads, clipboards, and pencils. The materials will be prepared and waiting for your group at the front desk. Group sketching has to be requested when you make your reservation for a museum or garden tour. Supplies included.

Cost: Free, with advance registration (2 weeks' notice preferred)

Grades: 6th-12th

Maximum group size: Tour group maximum is 25 individuals; groups of 25-50 will be split into two smaller groups

Requirements: Ratio of 1:7 adult/students
- Tour times are offered on Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-5pm.
- The Dixon is wheelchair accessible throughout the museum and in many areas of the Dixon gardens.
- Tour groups are welcome to bring a picnic for the gardens (weather permitting); indoor space is only available for groups who order lunch from Park & Cherry, the museum's café.
- Lockers and coat racks are available, but backpacks should be left on the bus.
- Pens, markers, and crayons are not allowed in the galleries; pencils and colored pencils are allowed.
BUS FUNDING IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MSCS SCHOOLS

How it works:
- Make a group reservation with the form below!
- Receive an email confirmation for your field trip, with a link to apply for bus funding.
- Apply for bus funding.
- If your bus funding application is approved, you will receive a confirmation via email.
Things to keep in mind:
- You make the bus reservation.
- Have your school’s Financial Secretary's information at hand when applying. This information is required to complete the application.
- Dixon will only pay the bus company directly. Schools will not be reimbursed.
- The Dixon will only pay for invoices dated within the school year of the museum visit.