TAM Open-Door Initiative

The Open-Door Initiative at Tacoma Art Museum is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and expanding access to our educational resources and spaces. We offer free admission and programming specifically for eligible school districts and nonprofit organizations. This initiative is designed to eliminate financial barriers, ensuring that students and educators from diverse backgrounds can engage with and benefit from the arts.

Program Offerings 

• Free Admission: Eligible youth, students, educators, and youth professionals can access the Tacoma Art Museum for free by presenting a valid student ID card, using their student or organizational email, or showing a confirmation email. 
• Educational Programming: As availability allows bring TAM to your classroom to take a deeper look into our exhibitions and collections and craft artwork inspired by these pieces.  

School Tours & Programs

• Registration: Before planning a trip to the museum please ensure you complete a tour inquiry form, this can be found at,  https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/learning/school-programs/. TAM can accommodate up to 2 school groups a day. 
• Capacity: Currently, we accommodate up to 50 people on a field trip to the Museum. 
• Chaperones: Children and youth must be accompanied by chaperones while they are at TAM. We require the following youth-to-chaperone ratio on all school tours: 
  • Pre-K – 1st Grade: 5:1 
  • 2nd – 8th Grade: 5:1 
  • 9th Grade – 12th Grade: 7:1
    • For safety reasons, if your group does not meet the required ratio on the day of your visit, your group cannot be admitted into the Museum. 
  • Lunch Space: If your group would like a place to enjoy their lunch we have spaces within our lobby, atrium, and classrooms to offer. 
  • Guided School Tour Days & Times: School tours usually last 1 – 2 hours, including a guided gallery tour and an art-making activity. However, it can be altered depending on the need. School tours are offered Wednesday through Friday with a start time between 10 am and 4 pm.  
    • Unfortunately, we cannot schedule school tours during weekday evenings or on weekends. 
• Unguided School Tour Days & Times: You may also bring your school group to explore the galleries independently. Unguided access to the museum galleries is available Wednesday through Friday with a start time between 10 am and 5 pm. 
  • It is the responsibility of Teacher and approved chaperones to ensure school group abides by museum guidelines.   

Support & Resources 

• Tacoma Creates Transportation: Tacoma Creates offers transportation funding opportunities for those within Pierce County, visit https://www.tacomacreates.org/youth-education for more.  
• Points of Contact:  
  • Vanessa Harriss , Museum Educator
    • Education@tacomaartmuseum.org  
  • Tashawn Deville, Director of Education and Community Involvement
    • Tdeville@tacomaartmuseum.org  

General Guidelines  

• Help Protect the Art– Enjoy the art on display, but please do not touch. Even the slightest touch can, over time, cause painted surfaces, wood, or stone to become discolored, metal to rust, and glass or plaster to break. No food, drink, or gum in the galleries. Closed water bottles can be stored in a bag or complimentary locker.  
• Pencils Only– For the safety of the art on display, only pencils are permitted for use in the galleries. Pens or any other drawing or painting mediums are not permitted in the galleries. Pencils are available upon request for notetaking and sketching.  
• Take Photos, Capture the Moment – Photography is encouraged unless otherwise posted. Please make sure your flash is turned off and leave your tripods and selfie-sticks at home. Use of tripods and/or video cameras must have prior approval. Photography, videotaping and recording for commercial purposes is prohibited without prior approval. TAM may photograph or video visitors for educational and/or promotional purposes. Attendance on TAM premises constitutes implied consent for the use of visitors’ likenesses in the museum’s promotional materials.   
• Accessibility – TAM is wheelchair accessible. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Admissions Desk. A form of identification must be left with TAM staff for the wheelchair loan. Wheelchairs are limited and only available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 
• Outside Food & Drink–Outside food and drink can be enjoyed only in the lobby and third floor atrium. Please no gum in the galleries. When open, you can also visit the TAM Cafe for food and beverages.  
• Visiting With Children – Be sure to stick together as a group. Children under 14 must be attended to at all times. Make sure to only look at works of art with your eyes, not with your hands.