The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) invites Arizona K-12 educators to explore more than 5,000 instruments and artifacts from every country in the world for free during July. Current Arizona teachers, school and district administrators, teacher’s aides, and homeschool educators will be granted complimentary admission with a school- or district-issued ID, or (for homeschool educators) an affidavit of intent.
With substantial cuts to arts education programs in schools across Arizona, MIM offers educators a way to introduce students to the arts in a fun and engaging manner. MIM’s exhibits provide an array of learning opportunities for topics ranging from music and geography to social studies and science.
MIM currently offers four school group tours and will be adding a new one in August. School tours vary by age-group, but each tour can be customized to fit a certain grade level or educational objective. The first tour of the 2012‒2013 academic year will be Aug. 1.
“Educator Appreciation Month gives teachers a firsthand look at what MIM offers to students taking part in a field trip,” said Education manager Carly Shaw. “Our wide range of educational programs is designed to inspire learners of all ages and we consistently receive feedback that our activities do just that!”
Educators can take an in-depth look at MIM’s educational offerings for the 2012‒2013 school year during the museum’s Educator Preview Days July 28-29 and Aug. 25. Programming will include information about field trips (both docent-led and self-guided tour options), pre- and post-visit curricula, Student Signature Workshops, and Artist Residency Programs. The preview days will also feature a performance by Tetra, one of the 2012‒2013 Artists in Residence; light refreshments; the opportunity to tour MIM’s galleries; and a preview of MIM’s newest school tour option.
Register online as seating for the Educator Preview Days is limited.
Educators who share their e-mail address with MIM during July will be entered into a drawing to win a prize from the Museum Store. Additionally, educators will receive a 10 percent discount on non-sale books and gifts at the Museum Store throughout the month.
More than 45,000 students and teachers have toured MIM since the inception of the school field-trip program in October 2010. For more information about MIM and its educational offerings, visit theMIM.org.
