Have you ever been on one of the museum’s Public Tours? A public tour is a great introduction to the museum and a great way to learn more about the Museum, if you have never been before. Our amazing volunteer docents spend a lot of time researching and preparing for their tours and are excited to share what they have learned with the public.
There are a variety of public tours depending on your schedule or your interest.
Tour of the Month
First & Third Saturday of each month at 2pm
If you’re in the mood for a more in depth tour, consider one of our Tours of the Month.
Each month, a Museum Docent picks a topic of special interest and creates a tour through the Museum based on that subject matter. This is an opportunity for visitors to glean more in depth knowledge about the collection. Don't miss out! Free with Museum admission.
Our docents are leading the following interesting tours over the next few months:
May 7 and 21 at 2pm – Precolumbian Art
Worcester’s wonderful collection of Precolumbian art is the result of Stephen Salisbury III’s keen interest in the Mesoamerican cultures long before he founded the Worcester Art Museum. Join us to learn about Worcester’s fascinating connection to the area and to view our Ballgame sculpture, one of only a few in existence.
June 4 and 18, 2pm - Man’s Best Friend: The Cat
Cats have a special place in people’s hearts, and that special relationship has been depicted in art for centuries. This tour will delight and tickle the whiskers of art and cat lovers alike, focusing on cats in the permanent collection and in the special exhibition, Meow.
July 2nd and 16, 2pm – The Evolution of Modern Art
This tour will trace the major developments in art, starting with Classical Art, through Modern Art movements and ending with Postmodern Art. We will cover Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art, following changes in the use of color, forms and subjects to understand the evolution of art.
August 6 and 20, 2pm – The Last Judgment Tapestry and other Museum Treasures
Although it is the most spectacular example of art relating to the Hapsburg, the Last Judgement Tapestry it is not alone. This tour focuses on the tapestry and other Hapsburg-related artwork as lenses to view Western European culture and history in the 15th and 16th centuries.
September 3 and 17, 2pm – Profiling Egyptian Art
More than 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians founded one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Learn about the importance of the Pharaoh, cats, the afterlife, and other interesting facets of this fascinating culture by exploring the hallmark of that civilization: its art.
October 1 and 15, 2pm – Renoir’s Jewish Wedding
Explore The Jewish Wedding by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, including its recent conservation. In 1875, Renoir was commissioned to paint a replica of Eugène Delacroix's 1839 The Jewish Wedding in Morocco, today in the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Although faithful to Delacroix's original, Renoir adapted his Impressionist approach, creating a novel work of art, distinct in its brushwork, palette, and use of light.
November 5 and 19, 2pm – The Art of Citizenship
This tour will explore citizenship in relation to the spaces and places that American citizens have historically held the right to occupy and possess, beginning with the establishment of domestic property. The tour will continue by examining acts of engagement, celebration, and protest that become politically charged as they play out in civic spaces.
December 3 and 17, 2pm – Celebrations
During this time of holidays and celebrations, join us to explore different kinds of celebrations, from holidays, to courtship, to celebratory gatherings.
May 7 and 21 at 2pm – Precolumbian Art
Worcester’s wonderful collection of Precolumbian art is the result of Stephen Salisbury III’s keen interest in the Mesoamerican cultures long before he founded the Worcester Art Museum. Join us to learn about Worcester’s fascinating connection to the area and to view our Ballgame sculpture, one of only a few in existence.
June 4 and 18, 2pm - Man’s Best Friend: The Cat
Cats have a special place in people’s hearts, and that special relationship has been depicted in art for centuries. This tour will delight and tickle the whiskers of art and cat lovers alike, focusing on cats in the permanent collection and in the special exhibition, Meow.
July 2nd and 16, 2pm – The Evolution of Modern Art
This tour will trace the major developments in art, starting with Classical Art, through Modern Art movements and ending with Postmodern Art. We will cover Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art, following changes in the use of color, forms and subjects to understand the evolution of art.
August 6 and 20, 2pm – The Last Judgment Tapestry and other Museum Treasures
Although it is the most spectacular example of art relating to the Hapsburg, the Last Judgement Tapestry it is not alone. This tour focuses on the tapestry and other Hapsburg-related artwork as lenses to view Western European culture and history in the 15th and 16th centuries.
September 3 and 17, 2pm – Profiling Egyptian Art
More than 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians founded one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Learn about the importance of the Pharaoh, cats, the afterlife, and other interesting facets of this fascinating culture by exploring the hallmark of that civilization: its art.
October 1 and 15, 2pm – Renoir’s Jewish Wedding
Explore The Jewish Wedding by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, including its recent conservation. In 1875, Renoir was commissioned to paint a replica of Eugène Delacroix's 1839 The Jewish Wedding in Morocco, today in the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Although faithful to Delacroix's original, Renoir adapted his Impressionist approach, creating a novel work of art, distinct in its brushwork, palette, and use of light.
November 5 and 19, 2pm – The Art of Citizenship
This tour will explore citizenship in relation to the spaces and places that American citizens have historically held the right to occupy and possess, beginning with the establishment of domestic property. The tour will continue by examining acts of engagement, celebration, and protest that become politically charged as they play out in civic spaces.
December 3 and 17, 2pm – Celebrations
During this time of holidays and celebrations, join us to explore different kinds of celebrations, from holidays, to courtship, to celebratory gatherings.
Family Tours & Make Art
First Saturday of each month at 10:30am*
First Saturday of each month at 11-11:30am*
Stay after your family tour, or drop-in for Make Art! - a fun intergenerational time in the galleries. Get inspired by our art and try making something uniquely yours. Materials will be provided. Come and recover your childlike sense of free spirited play! Small materials fee.
* Admission is FREE for all the first Saturday of each month between 10am-12noon.
Zip Tours
Saturdays, noon
Zip tours are fast-paced 20 minute views of one artist or work of art. Free with Museum admission; Admission free for first Saturdays of each month between 10am-12noon.
Sunday Tour
Sundays at 1-2pm
Join one of our talented Museum docents for an overview of the Museum collection. Free with Museum admission.
Public tours are a wonderful way to learn more about the museum. I hope we will see you on one soon.
Learn more about Tours at Worcester Art Museum
See more great events on our Events Calendar
Learn more about Tours at Worcester Art Museum
See more great events on our Events Calendar
-Jesse Rives, Education Coordinator
