School Visits

Facilitated Scavenger Hunt
Length: 90 minutes
Grades: 7 – 12
Fee: $15 per student; add $5 per student for an Exhibition Tour (30 minutes) 

Maximum 40 students; 80 students with an Exhibition Tour or Studio Workshop 

Half Day – Tour & Studio
Length: 2 hours
Grades: K – 12 

Snack break: Dedicated space for an optional 15-minute snack break is included (by request)
Fee: $15 per student 

Maximum 60 students 

Full Day – Tour & Extended Studio
Length: 3.5 – 4 hours
Grades: 7 – 12 

Lunch break: Dedicated space for 30-minute onsite lunch break is included. A 1-hour offsite break is available by request.
Fee: $20 per student 

Maximum 60 students  

Add Self-Guided Time
Extend your visit with the opportunity for your students to explore the gallery independently. Only available as part of a pre-booked facilitated program. 

Grades: 7 – 12  

Fee: $2 per student 

Availability: Thursday – Sunday, during Public Hours only  

Need Lunch Space?
Book a dedicated lunch space for your group before or after your program. Full Day visits include time and space for lunch for no extra fee. 

Length: 30 minutes 

Fee: $2 per student 

Subject to availability 

Open Access Days – Camille Turner: Hometown Queen 

Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Monday, November 30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

 Length: Recommended minimum 2-hour visit 

Fee: $10 per student 

Open Access Days invites students from across Southern Ontario to take a deep dive into Camille Turner: Hometown Queen. This self-guided day offers students the opportunity to learn about Black Canadian histories, identity, belonging, and futures through contemporary art. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with the Afronautic Research Lab alongside Artist and Educator-in-Residence stylo starr, exploring Afrofuturism to imagine new possibilities and stories. 

Designed to support the updated Ontario curriculum for Black History, Open Access Days encourage critical thinking, inquiry, and meaningful discussions about history, community, representation, and social change. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the AGH permanent collection and temporary exhibitions Who Disturbs the Sea and Made in Hamilton. 

Students are welcome to sketch and reflect throughout their visit. Pencils and drawing boards are available. Space for lunch will be provided, or students can enjoy lunch off-site at Jackson Square, directly across from the AGH. 

Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, email us at education@artgalleryofhamilton.com 

SHSM Curatorial Symposium (Grades 11 – 12) 

Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Fee: $20 per student 

Designed for Ontario SHSM students completing their curatorial credit, this full-day symposium offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work of an art gallery. Students will hear a keynote from AGH curators, meet senior gallery staff, explore the gallery vault, and spend independent time viewing exhibitions. Through these experiences, students will gain insight into curatorial practice and careers across the arts and cultural sectors.  

Students can also join Artist and Educator-in Residence, stylo starr, for an optional hands-on workshop with from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, email us at education@artgalleryofhamilton.com 

Looking Back to Go Forward with stylo starr (Grades 7 – 12) 

Availability: September – December 2026 

Length: 3.5 – 4 hours 

Lunch break: Dedicated space for 30-minute onsite lunch break is included. A 1-hour offsite break is available by request.
Fee: $20 per student 

Join Artist and Educator-in-Residence, stylo starr, for this deep dive into Camille Turner: Hometown Queen (link to exhibition page) and explore how art can help us understand difficult histories and imagine a stronger, more hopeful future. 

Through guided observation and discussion in the gallery, students will explore themes of history, community, representation, and social change that encourage critical thinking and inquiry. Drawing on archival images and collage and printmaking techniques, students will create a mixed media artwork that reflects their discoveries, imagines new possibilities, and shares their vision for the future. 

Designed to support the updated Ontario curriculum for Black History learning expectations, students will have the opportunity to learn about Black Canadian histories, identity, belonging, and futures through contemporary art. 

Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required. To book your visit, please submit your request via our Booking Request Form.

How many students can I bring? 

Programs are available for a minimum of 15 students. Groups with fewer than 15 students will be charged at a minimum rate. To meet our space requirements and to best provide student-centered programming, groups of 20 or more will be separated into smaller groups. They will be in these groups for the duration of the program.    

Our standard programs can accommodate up to 60 students. If you have a larger group, please contact us and we will be happy to work with you to discuss programming options. 

When are school visits available? 

AGH On-Site School visits are available on a first-come, first-served basis from September to June, with morning and afternoon start times available. Please note that Tuesdays are reserved for Wellness and Artful Moments programs, and we cannot accommodate school bookings on these days.   

Dates for specialized programs such as Open Access Days and the SHSM Curatorial Symposium will be preset. Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required. 

How far in advance should I book my visit? 

Requests for an AGH On-Site School Visit should be made at least 3 weeks in advance. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred visit date and time. All requests must be made through our Booking Request Form.

Do you offer subsidies? 

Through generous support from incite Foundation for the Arts, we can provide gallery visits for Hamilton-based high-priority schools and individual students.  

Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reach out to discuss your needs. 

How do I pay for my school visit? 

Your invoice will be sent at the beginning of the month following your visit, unless otherwise requested. We do not charge tax for school/child visits.  

You will be billed for the number of students confirmed within one week of your visit. Any additional students beyond the confirmed numbers will be added to the invoice. 

There is no fee for the required number of chaperones (including teachers) and dedicated EAs. Additional chaperones (more than the required ratio, excluding dedicated EAs) will be charged at the student rate.  

Invoicing and payment are coordinated by AGH Finance Department. For questions about your invoice and payment, please contact Lucie Littman, Senior Finance Manager, at 905-527-6610 ext 233 or lucie@artgalleryofhamilton.com. 

Is the AGH accessible? 

The Art Gallery of Hamilton recognizes the diversity of people’s abilities and needs. We strive to make our collections, exhibitions, programs and services accessible to all. 

Accessible services available include:  

• Wheelchairs (both manual and transport style) are available upon request  

• Services animals are welcome 

• FM Devices for visitors with hearing loss are available upon request  

• Large print materials 

• Noise cancelling headphones  

• Fidget/sensory tools 

See our website  or contact us for up-to-date information on construction and building access at the AGH. 

Who do I contact for help with my booking? 

For all questions regarding school visits to the AGH, please contact education@artgalleryofhamilton.com.