We look forward to welcoming you and your students to the AGO for your upcoming Field Trip. Please review all of the information provided on this page as it is pertinent for your visit.
THE TOP 6 REASONS TO TAKE YOUR CLASS TO THE AGO
The Art Gallery of Ontario offers educational tours that are led by highly trained teaching staff with expertise in museum learning. AGO educational tours are designed to develop:
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Strategies
Learn through discovery and discussion Encourage cultural and visual literacy. - Innovative and Creative Process
Promote imaginative thinking through artmaking workshops Participate in a process that requires experimentation and resiliency - Learning to Learn
Reflect on issues and ideas from the past, present and future Make real world connections - Collaborative Respect
Consider multiple and complex perspectives Connect through interdisciplinary and cross-curricular programs - Communication Skills
Explore new forms of self-exploration Promote contemplation and well-being - Global Citizenship
Consider a variety of global cultural perspectives Embrace and respect local and global communities
BEFORE YOU VISIT
You are welcome to preview the galleries prior to your field trip. Previewing the galleries will assist you with your lesson planning and enable you to ensure that all content on view is appropriate for your students. Once you have booked your school visit, please contact groupsales@ago.ca to arrange for a complimentary ticket.
Plan to Arrive Early: If you are taking part in a Guided Tour or an Artmaking Program, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your program time. It is important that students have adequate time to hang up their bags and coats and use the washrooms prior the start of their program. Unfortunately, program times cannot be extended for late arrivals. For groups that arrive late, their programs will take place during the remaining time.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Enter through the Group Entrance to the Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC), located on Dundas Street near Beverley Street, at the west end of the AGO. Buses can pull up in front of the AGO on Dundas Street for drop off and pick up only. Turn right and proceed down the stairs to the Education Commons. There is elevator access to the WFLC on the left through the double doors.
Educators: Please proceed straight to the WFLC Ticket Desk, located across from the stairs. AGO staff will register your group, process your payment and provide you with tickets/wristbands.
Students: If you are participating in a Guided program, you will be greeted by an Education Officer, who will lead the group to your assigned coat rack area. If you are visiting on a Self-Guided basis, you will be directed to your coat rack area by AGO staff.
Coat Rack: Kindly note the WFLC Coat Rack is available for use by school groups, however it is unattended so we recommend students leave valuable items at home. At 3pm the coat rack will be raised and any remaining items will be relocated to public storage in the Education Commons. The Art Gallery of Ontario is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
SUPERVISION
Students 16 years of age and younger must be supervised by teachers and adult supervisors from their school/organization during Guided Programs and Self Guided visits.
Teachers and adult supervisors know their students best, and modeling and monitoring appropriate student behaviour is the sole responsibility of the teachers and adult supervisors through the entire field trip at the Gallery including during lunch. Active participation, such as assisting students with activities and monitoring student behaviour, is expected of all teachers and adult supervisors.
We require the following ratios of adult supervisors to students:
- JK to Grade 3 1:5
- Grades 4 to 6 1:8
- Grades 7 and 8 1:10
- Grades 9 to 12 1:15
For Gallery Tours and Artmaking Workshops, the maximum group size is 30 students with the appropriate number of adult supervisors per group. Please organize your students accordingly.
LUNCH SPACE
Lunch tables are available on a first come first serve basis in 30 minute time slots. It is required that students are supervised during lunch and that there is no running, yelling or horse playing the Education Commons area. Students are NOT allowed to crawl under or hang from the coat rack. Students can be seriously injured by engaging in this type of behaviour. Please help in keeping the Education Commons area a safe environment for students by monitoring their behaviour closely.
LUNCH OPTIONS
caféAGO offers delicious and fresh lunch options for school groups that are visiting the Gallery. Pre-book your pizza lunch or purchase caféAGO lunch vouchers.
PIZZA LUNCH
Choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza and pop, juice or water.
1 Slice + Beverage / $5
2 Slices + Beverage / $7.50
Minimum of eight (8) slices required for pizza lunch orders.
CAFE AGO LUNCH VOUCHER
Includes a main, drink and a cookie.
Sample options: Chicken Club Sandwich, Black Bean and Corn Wrap (Vegetarian) or Vegan Protein Bowl (Gluten free).
$12.50 per person
caféAGO Lunch Vouchers must be redeemed at caféAGO which is located on the Lower Level of the Gallery.
Please submit all orders at least two (2) weeks in advance of your visit. Taxes included. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.Substitutions for visitors with allergies and food restrictions are available upon request. The AGO does not have separate kitchens to prepare allergen-free items and cannot guarantee that allergens have not been introduced inadvertently during preparation.
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