Frequently Asked Questions
Booking a school tour
How much do school tours cost?
School tours are offered free of charge.
Are school tours available on weekends?
Only Self-guided tours are offered on weekends. Storytelling and Docent-led school tours are only available Tuesdays through Friday during the academic school year.
The Asian Art Museum offers fun, educational programming throughout the year with our Family Programs and Public Programs. Go to the Programs overview page and Calendar of Events for more information.
Are school tours available during the summer?
During the summer from mid-June to late-August, Self-guided tours, Storytelling, and Around the World gallery tours are offered on a limited basis only. Please request a tour online or contact schools@asianart.org or 415-581-3697 for more details.
Can my class have two tours in one day?
No. School tours are limited to one tour per class per day. However, school groups are welcome to stay in the museum after the end of their tour. School groups may exit and re-enter freely after the end of a school tour.
What options are there for a large group of 50 or more students?
There are several options for large groups with over 50 students.
Around the World guided tour - Tues., Wed., Thurs. at 10:30, and Fri. at 1:00 - up to 60 students
Self-guided tour - Tuesday thru Friday - various times and maximum capacity - email schools@asianart.org for details
Multiple tours - request two back-to-back tours on the same date
What is the maximum number of students and adults I can bring for a tour?
Storytelling tours have a maximum capacity of 30 students per tour. Docent-led tours have a maximum capacity of 35 students. Self-guided tours have a maximum capacity of 40 students. We also offer tours for for very large groups or multiple clases. All tours include admission for a maximum of 1 adult for every 4 students when scheduled in advance. Additional adults must purchase general admission plus any relevant special exhibition surcharges at the Admissions desk on the day of the tour.
How many chaperones must my group have?
1 adult chaperone for every 10 students is required and must monitor students at all times.
How can I request a school tour?
Please submit a completed School Tour Request Form.
Before my scheduled tour
Who do I contact to make changes to my tour?
Any request for changes in a tour date, time, program, or number of chaperone tickets must be made in advance. Requests are accommodated according to availability. Changes to the number of student or adult tickets must be made at least 1 weeks in advance of the tour date. Call (415) 581-3697 and/or email schools@asianart.org as soon as possible for changes.
What is the Asian Art Museum's cancellation policy?
All our docents and storytellers generously volunteer their time and effort. If you must cancel your tour, please do so at least two weeks before your scheduled date. The museum reserves the right to deny bookings to groups who repeatedly cancel without sufficient notice. For tour cancellations call (415) 581-3697 and/or email schools@asianart.org
How should I prepare my class for their school tour?
A wealth of resources is available free on the Educator Resources page and on the school tours page beneath the descriptions of the various school tours. A reminder e-mail which includes weblinks to downloadable pre-visit packets online will be sent by email to you one month prior to your scheduled tour. Educational information and suggested activities are included in the pre-visit packet. Additional guidelines and rules for school group tours are included in the pre-visit email. Please review these guidelines with your students and chaperones before arriving at the museum.
Where can i find the pre-visit packets online?
Pre-visit packets can be downloaded here:
Ancient China Pre-visit Packet
Body Language Pre-visit Packet
Spirit of the Samurai Pre-visit Packet
Nature in Art: Brushpainting Pre-visit Packet
Chinese Myths Pre-visit Packet
Japanese Myths Pre-visit Packet
South Asian Myths Pre-visit Packet
Southeast Asian Myths Pre-visit Packet
On the day of my tour
How do I get to the museum?
The Asian Art Museum–Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture is conveniently located at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, facing City Hall across Civic Center Plaza. The museum occupies the block bounded by Larkin, McAllister, Hyde, and Fulton streets. Further information regarding transportation and accessibility.
Where can I park near the museum?
The Asian Art Museum does not have a parking facility, but it is served by the following parking facilities—all within walking distance of the museum. Click here for a map of the nearest facilities.
Civic Center Plaza Garage (840 spaces)
Entrance on McAllister, between Polk and Larkin Streets.
Hastings Garage (400 spaces)
376 Larkin Street
Between McAllister St. & Golden Gate Ave.
Outdoor Self-Park lots (175 spaces total)
2 lots located on opposite corners at the intersection of Hayes and Polk.
Fox Plaza (200 spaces)
1390 Market Street
Entrance on Hayes, between Larkin and Polk.
Performing Arts Center Garage (616 spaces)
Entrance on Grove at Gough.
Opera Plaza Garage (150 spaces)
Entrance on Golden Gate at Van Ness.
Can we enter the museum before the start of our tour?
No, groups may not enter the museum before their scheduled tour time. Free school tour admission is only valid for the designated start times. Groups that arrive late may not be admitted for their tours.
What can I do near the museum before my tour starts?
The San Francisco Main Library and San Francisco City Hall are located within 5 minutes walking distance of the museum. The public library has a wonderful children's section, cafe, gallery, and programming that you can take advantage of. City Hall offers guided tours free for school gorups. For more information contact the respective institutions directly through their websites.
What should I do with bags and backpacks?
Groups participating in a guided school tour may store bags in the Education classrooms. Your docent or storyteller will give you instructions. All other school groups must check their bags at the Coat Check area in the South Court. All bags larger than 12 inches by 12 inches are not allowed in the galleries and must be stored as a group. Anything that you wish to take into the galleries must carried in a bag smaller than 12 inches by 12 inches.
What if it is raining?
The museum doors open precisely at 10:00 (9:45 for tours scheduled for 9:45). If you arrive early you will not be able to enter the builidng. Please plan on arriving on time, or seek shelter from rain at the SF Main Library until the museum doors open.
If it is raining, the museum can provide limited spaces for school groups to each lunch inside. These spaces are offered depending on availability. It is best to have a contingency plan incase these spaces are not available. Contact schools@asianart.org or 415-581-3697 for more details.
Can we exit and re-enter the museum after our tour?
Yes, school groups may exit and re-entry the museum freely after the end of a school tour as long as they keep their admission stickers.
Can we stay in the museum after our tour has ended?
Yes. School groups are encouraged to stay in the museum after the end of their tour as long as they wish.
Can we eat lunch in the museum?
There is no lunch facility designated for school groups in the museum. We recommend that you have lunch with your group outside the museum before your tour or after your museum visit is complete. Weather permitting, groups often choose to picnic in the children’s playground in the Civic Center Plaza located across the street from the museum. In case of severe rain, the museum offers limited spaces for groups to eat lunch inside the museum.
For more information: Call (415) 581-3697 or email schools@asianart.org.
Acknowledgements
Lead funding for the Asian Art Museum’s Education and Public Programs is provided by the Bank of America Foundation.
Major support provided by Douglas A. Tilden, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, The Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation, Koret Foundation, the Freeman Foundation, the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, PARSA Community Foundation, the Sugiyama Family Trust, the Konigsberg Family Trust, Walter and Elise Haas Fund, and AT&T.
Additional support provided by the Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund, the San Francisco Foundation, and the Joseph R. McMicking Foundation.
