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French- and Spanish-Language Tours

We are no longer accepting tour requests for the spring. We will begin accepting tour requests for the fall on August 3. 2015

Tours of the permanent collection conducted in French or Spanish by fluent speakers. These tours are intended for advanced high school language students. This tour has limited availability. If a foreign-language docent is not available for your requested time slot, the Gallery can make an English-language tour available as an alternative. Please check this option on the tour request form if you are interested.

Tour Topics

Explore works of art while practicing your language skills. These tours, conducted in French or Spanish by fluent speakers, are intended for advanced high school language students. During four to six tour stops in the galleries, students are encouraged to look carefully and to engage in discussion-based activities. Experienced docents will customize the tour according to students' language abilities to ensure a balance between art learning and practice of language skills.

Looking and Learning Skills

The following skills are promoted:

  • Making and voicing careful observations
  • Formulating questions that demonstrate curiosity and engagement
  • Comparing different works of art and articulating connections between them
  • Reasoning with evidence from the works of art and using them as primary source materials
  • Connecting tour ideas to prior knowledge and experience

Logistical Information

Exploring Art in French

Group Size: Up to 15 students
Length: 75 minutes
Meeting Location: West Building, Rotunda, Main Floor

Exploring Art in French is offered on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Exploring Art in Spanish

Group Size: Up to 30 students
Length: 75 minutes
Meeting Location: West Building, Rotunda, Main Floor

Exploring Art in Spanish is offered on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Please complete the appropriate form to request a tour.

French-language tour form

Spanish-language tour form

Tours must be scheduled at least eight weeks in advance.

Groups must contain at least 10 students.

Once your tour has been scheduled, you will receive a confirmation letter via mail in 10 business days (14 days for foreign-language tours).

Watch a video or download a presentation to show your students prior to your visit. View our museum policies, location, parking, accessiblity, security, lunch options, and other important information about visiting.

Our tour scheduler is available to answer questions on Monday through Wednesday between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. (September through May). Please contact her at (202) 842-6249 [email protected].

Also see our Frequently Asked Questions about School Tours.

We greatly value your feedback about your school tour experience. Please submit this form to share your feedback.