Before and after your visit

PAMA is pleased to offer programs to school groups and students of all ages.

These guidelines will ensure that the students and teachers will have an enjoyable day with PAMA.

Choosing your program

Our Art Studio Workshops do not include a tour of the gallery. If you wish to tour the gallery, you will need to book an add-on option.

For full day visits, you can pair an Art Studio Workshop with either a Museum or Gallery Tour.

If you are coming for a half day, you can pair an Art Studio Workshop with a Quick Tour.

Please note that we have closures throughout the year that affect our Gallery Tours during installations of new and exciting exhibitions.

The maximum number of groups that can attend in one day varies based on the type of program and availability.

Group supervision

All students should be supervised by their full-time teacher and adult supervisors during their visit to PAMA.

Recommended number of supervisors:

JK/SK = 5 students to 1 adult
Grades 1-3 = 8 students to 1 adult
Grades 4-6 = 10 students to 1 adult
Grades 7-8 = 15 students to 1 adult
Grades 9-12 = 1 adult per class

Teachers and supervisors are responsible for the conduct of their students and should remain with them throughout their visit. We encourage all adults to actively participate in the tour and assist students, as required, during the workshop.

Before your program

A 25% deposit is required for all scheduled school programs. The deposit is based on the flat rate per class. Deposits must be received within 10 business days of booking and your program is not confirmed until we receive the deposit. Deposits are non-refundable within the two weeks prior to the booking date. In the case of bus cancellations caused by severe weather, we will reschedule.
Programs will begin at the time indicated on the confirmation letter. Please arrange transportation to and from PAMA and consider weather and traffic in your travel time.
Prepare your parent volunteers. The volunteers are here to help the students have the best experience possible.
Prepare your students for their visit by using the Teacher Information Packages. Review the topic of the tour or workshop.
Cancellations, rescheduling and changes to class sizes must be done two weeks prior to visit (special considerations will be made due to weather and bus cancellations).
Our Art Studio Workshops have the potential to get a little messy. We advise students and volunteers to come prepared to get a little paint on them. Most materials will wash off and all materials are non-toxic.

Arrival procedure

Our group entrance for school programs is on Wellington Street East. Please do not stop the bus on Main Street or in the parking lot. Turn onto Wellington and stop in the bus bay right in front of the old Jail building.
Enter the main lobby in a single file line. Your educator will be there to greet you and your students at the front door.
Please provide the number of students present to the front desk. Payment must be completed in full for visits upon arrival. Please bring a cheque, credit card or cash for the full amount on the day of your visit. Cheques are made out to Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives. (Arrangements for an invoice will be made for outreach).
In the event of a late arrival, your tour and/or workshop will be adjusted accordingly.

During your program

Upon entering the building, PAMA Educators will direct teachers and volunteers to breakdown the students into smaller groups. The educator will introduce the students to the building.
The PAMA Education team will foster a positive and inclusive learning environment to ensure all visitors have a meaningful and fun experience. Student discipline during your visit is the responsibility of the teachers. Adults are to always remain with the students including lunchtime, tours, workshops, and washroom breaks.
Food or drinks (including water) are only allowed in the lunchroom and are not permitted in the art gallery, museum, or archives, to protect the art and historical artifacts. There will be a place where students can keep their coats and bags.
PAMA is not responsible for any lost or stolen objects.
Art is often delicate. Oils, salts, and moisture on your hands will cause damage to the art. To protect the artwork, please refrain from running, touching works, and leaning against walls.
Photography at PAMA is welcome in the museum, no flash photography. Photography is not permitted in the art gallery. Also, feel free to take pictures while students are making their art during a studio workshop.
Look, listen, and learn. We encourage you to get the most from your visit by asking questions.

After your visit

Your educator will provide you with an evaluation form. Please fill it out and return it. Your feedback is important to us and helps us improve our school programming.
The educator will escort you and your class down to the lobby at the completion of your visit.
Use the Teacher Information Packages to continue the learning process back at school.

Follow-up activities

Use your visit to PAMA to inspire art or history lessons in your classroom. These are some ideas that you can use to guide your class discussions and follow-up activities.

Artwork tell-all for younger students

Visit PAMA's Exhibitions page to discover the artists featured in our current exhibitions. Search the Internet to find the artists' websites. Choose one or two images and guide students in a discussion about the art works: Ask students to:

Describe what they see. Name all the parts of the artwork that are visible including any objects, colours, people, lines, everything!
What feelings do you experience when you look at this work of art? (invisible qualities)
What makes you feel this way?
What do you think this artwork is about? Why?
How do you think the artist felt when he/she created it?
How does the artist tell a story?
Artists use elements such as colour, shape, line, shading, and texture to draw attention to the main theme in their artwork. Which elements of design did the artist use in the work you are studying? Describe each one.
Why do you think he/she used the colours (or lines, textures, shapes) that he/she has?
Can you tell where the location of the painting might be? The year? The season? The time of day? What has the artist done to give you clues?
Why do you think the artist created it?
Have students write a short story based on the artwork.

Artist poster for older students

Choose an exhibiting artist at PAMA and create a poster that illustrates the style or medium that the PAMA artist used in his/her works.
Have students present their posters to the rest of the class for discussion.