Planning A Gallery Visit
Why come to the Gallery?
The gallery is a unique resource of visual art and offers a variety of programmes that can be integrated into Visual Arts, Art History, Social Sciences, Technology, and English at all levels.
The Gallery education programmes meet MOE requirements as a registered LEOTC provider. Schools also fulfil curriculum requirements to engage with their community by making class visits. “Community engagement has meaning for students, connects with their wider lives, and engages the support of their families, whanau, and communities” (New Zealand Curriculum 2007).
Visiting the Gallery also plays an important part encouraging, modelling, and exploring values. In particular innovation, inquiry, and curiosity by thinking critically, creatively, and reflectively. Exploring the values of other groups and cultures also helps students learn about their own values and develop their ability to express, critically analyse, and discuss them.
Contact our Visitor Services Coordinator to book a suitable day and time for a tour of the Gallery. See suggested visit durations below.
Gallery tour and practical activity
The practical activity relates to the works viewed during the tour. Recommended times:
Yrs 3 - 4.......90mins
Yrs 5 - 13.... 90 - 120mins
Aspects of school based learning can be identified and used to enrich and extend teaching and learning about the visual arts and other areas of the curriculum.
How can classroom programmes relate to exhibitions in the Gallery?
Programmes will be tailored to suit the learning outcomes the teacher and the Gallery educator have decided on so it is important that teachers contact the education manager prior to visiting, either by email or phone, to determine what the focus of the visit will be. We can offer advice on how to link activities that have been planned for the classroom, with the Gallery visit.
Your Gallery visit is free of charge, but donations are gratefully received. If you want your students to be involved in a practical workshop, there will be a minimum charge of 50 cents per student. Your school can be invoiced, or the money paid at reception on arrival at the Gallery.
Arranging a bus
Confirm your visit with the Gallery, and book your bus through Go Bus - phone 07 543 0158. The Gallery offers a free ArtBus service to and from school.
Name tags
To assist Gallery staff it would be appreciated if students could wear name tags.
When you arrive at the Gallery
Your first point of contact will be the Visitor Host at the main reception. Please avoid bringing bags, but any that are brought will be stored by the Gallery staff until the conclusion of your visit. If you have pre-booked your visit, a guide will direct you to the Education Gallery where the details of your visit will be explained. If you have not booked your visit, and / or don’t require a guide, you are free to tour the Gallery.
A Public Art Gallery has special considerations that other educational facilities may not require. Please help us conserve a valuable cultural resource by following these codes of conduct:
- Food, beverages, smoking, and chewing gum are not permitted in the Gallery at any time
- Bags are not to be carried around the Gallery, but should be left at reception on arrival
- No one is to handle or move any artwork, display case or other installation
- No running or loud voices allowed in the Gallery in consideration of other visitors viewing the art
- Please refrain from touching walls, display cases, 3-D displays, or frames and glass on artwork.
Before You Leave
- Ensure all bags have been uplifted from reception
- Please complete an evaluation sheet and leave at reception.
After your visit
The Education section on the Gallery website is continually being revised and upgraded. It offers the following:
For teachers:
- Lesson plans and extension programmes
- Information on artists and their work
- Website links to resources
- Wiki site for schools.
For students:
- Information on artists and their work
- Website links to suitable sites.
There will be printed material available from reception with information related to the exhibitions. In some cases there will be a charge for these.
Information and bookings
| Amy McFetridge | Visitor Services Coordinator | 07 579 0624 | amy.m@artgallery.org.nz |
| Grant Thompson | Education Programmes Manager | 07 579 0622 | grant.t@artgallery.org.nz |
or phone reception on 07 578 7933 ext 703
© 2009