ADE Commissioner Jacob Oliva
Jacob Oliva
Secretary | Read Bio 
Department of Education

Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Learning Experiences

Memo Information

Memo Number
COM-27-007
Memo Date
8/18/2026
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
Office of Secretary
Regulatory Authority
Response Required
NO
Attention
Assistant Principal; Assistant Superintendent; Curriculum Coordinators; Gifted & Talented Coordinators; Library Media Specialist; Principals; School Counselors; Superintendents; Teachers

Primary Contact Information

Memo Text

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is offering free learning experiences for Arkansas students during the 2026-2027 school year. The museum has completed an expansion, so school visits now include new galleries, new learning spaces, three special exhibitions, and hands-on art-making. Experiences are designed for grades K-12, tailored by grade level, and aligned with Arkansas standards.

Crystal Bridges provides the following for Arkansas school groups:

  • Free admission for school groups

  • Transportation reimbursement

  • Substitute teacher reimbursement

  • Complimentary lunch for facilitated visits

 

What's New This Year? 

Grade-banded learning experiences The museum has redesigned its K-12 experiences so that each one is tailored to a grade band and aligned with Arkansas standards. Students engage in observation, discussion, inquiry, and creative thinking while exploring art, history, culture, literacy, science, and innovation.

Learning & Engagement Hub The new Learning & Engagement Hub gives students space to create, experiment, and learn through hands-on art-making. Schools can add a studio session to a guided visit this fall, and additional workshop opportunities are available to extend learning beyond the galleries.

Special exhibition experiences Three exhibitions are available to school groups this year:

  • Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work (Grades K-6)

  • Keith Haring: Don't Stop Creating (Grades 8-12)

  • Lucy Sparrow + Chuck Ramirez: Designing Your Future (Grades 6-12)

Each exhibition includes experiences that connect students to art through inquiry, creativity, career exploration, and interdisciplinary learning.

How to Book: 

Book a Facilitated Experience: https://form.asana.com/?k=6fduuOptKBjm4IxswmlOrA&d=47184436537086 

Book an Independent Visit: https://form.asana.com/?k=59BIju00lA7enWLCSWaF-Q&d=47184436537086

Explore School Programs: https://crystalbridges.org/educator

Print Memo

Share this memo