Secondary School Students Tour

Each tour will last approximately one hour.

Highlights of the Collection
An introductory tour of Villa Philbrook and the Museum’s permanent collection, which includes examples of Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, ancient art and artifacts, 19th-20th century European and American painting, Asian art, African art and Native American art. Philbrook docents use special questioning techniques to help secondary students develop personal connections with the works of art. A teacher’s packets/cd is available and mailed with confirmation material.

Villa History and Architecture
Originally the home of oilman Waite Phillips and his family, Villa Philbrook was donated to the citizens of Tulsa to become the city’s first art museum in 1938. Hear the story of the Phillips family and their historic home while viewing and discussing architectural features of the Italian Renaissance Revival style villa.

Special Exhibition Tours
Three or four special exhibitions of artwork are displayed at Philbrook each year (please see special exhibition schedule). For each special exhibition, docents attend training that helps them prepare age-appropriate tours. A teacher’s packets/cd is available and mailed with confirmation material.

Special Interest Tours
With at least four weeks notice, a Philbrook docent will develop a custom tour to fit the needs of your group. Focus on one or more areas of the permanent collection, including Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, ancient art and artifacts, 19th-20th century European and American painting, Asian art, African art and Native American Art.

Scheduling a Tour
Guided tours are available by contacting the Education Department at least two weeks prior to your visit. A minimum of 10 people per group is required with a maximum of 60. To schedule a tour, please contact the Education Coordinator at (918) 748-5309 and provide the following information:
  • Date and time of tour (please have two alternate dates and times available)
  • Group name, size, grade level or age
  • Type of tour desired (see tour descriptions)
  • Name of contact person, their phone number and address
  • Any special needs for individuals in your group
A tour confirmation will be mailed along with a set of guidelines for the museum visit. All group members must be made aware of guidelines prior to visiting the museum. Please note that docents are required to wait only 15 minutes after the scheduled tour arrival time. Please be on time.

Subsidies are available to help defray the cost of bus transportation.

Other Middle School Programs

Visual Voyage

Travel back in time to the Renaissance era; immerse yourself in the theories, inventions, and art of the 1400 and 1500s. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth in the arts and in learning. Middle School students will tour Philbrook’s Renaissance masterworks and discover fascinating details about this unique era. Students will participate in an interdisciplinary exploration of Renaissance art, architecture and culture. Activities will include:
  • A docent guided tour of Philbrook’s Renaissance paintings
  • A docent guided exploration of Villa Philbrook as an example of Italian Renaissance architecture
  • Creating a Renaissance shield
  • Learning a Renaissance dance set to contemporary music
Offered Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – Noon.
Visual Voyage is limited to 60 students per Voyage. Pre-Visit and Post-Visit Teacher packets will be mailed with reservation confirmations. There is no fee for Visual Voyage.