Exhibition Field Trips
Registration
Registration Lesson Plans Transportation Policy Contact Us
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"My students learned how art can tell powerful stories about
acceptance and differences. It was amazing!"
- Elementary School Educator, 2026 Exhibition
"We are so grateful to you for your time and the experience we had
touring the art virtually. We would have loved to make it in-person, but
it just wasn't possible this year. Virtual was a fantastic alternative!" - Middle School Educator, 2026 Virtual Exhibition
What
Featuring a deep look at multiple Embracing Our Differences artworks and quotations, exhibition tours embrace resilience, kindness, and inclusion through student-driven observation, listening, critical thinking, and empathy.
All exhibition field trips are FREE, with in-person field trip transportation costs generously covered or subsidized by our sponsors and donors.
9,327 students and 301 educators across the globe experienced the 2026 Exhibition in-person or virtually. Click here for Sarasota and here for St. Pete pictures.
Embracing Our Differences is a proud EdExploreSRQ provider. Click here to view the exploration listing for this opportunity.
Where | 2027 Exhibition
2026-2027 Exhibition Field Trip Registration is OPEN! Join us at Bayfront Park in Sarasota or The St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, FL.
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Registration Lesson Plans Transportation Policy Contact Us
Transportation
We are pleased to provide free or subsidized field trip transportation to and from our exhibitions subject to the following guidelines.
Education Standards
Exhibition tours focus on observation, listening, critical thinking, and empathy transferable skillsets.
The following Florida state education standards are addressed as part of this experience:
English Language Arts: Communication
ELA.K.C.2.1, ELA.1.C.2.1, ELA.2.C.2.1, ELA.3.C.2.1, ELA.4.C.2.1, ELA.5.C.2.1, ELA.6.C.2.1, ELA.7.C.2.1, ELA.8.C.2.1, ELA.9.C.2.1, ELA.10.C.2.1, ELA.11.C.2.1, ELA.12.C.2.1 |
Visual Art: Critical Thinking and Reflection
VA.1.C.1.2, VA.2.C.1.2, VA.3.C.1.2, VA.4.C.1.2, VA.5.C.1.2, VA.68.C.1.2, VA.912.C.1.2 |
Health Education - Resiliency: Character
HE.K.R.1.1, HE.1.R.1.3, HE.2.R.1.1, HE.3.R.1.1, HE.4.R.1.1, HE.5.R.1.3, HE.68.R.1.1, HE.912.R.1.2 |
Prepare For Your Visit
Educator Field Trip Guides: Filled with information about artwork and Visual Thinking Strategies for educators to use before and during their field trip experience.
Lesson Plans: Created by teachers for teachers, our age-appropriate lessons address applicable learning intentions and success criteria expected of every student.
Exhibit Artwork: Exhibit panels aligned to Florida standards and showcased on school field trips can be previewed using the links below. If there are specific pieces you’d like your students to explore, just let your docent know upon arrival at the exhibit.
Guided Tours
More than 200 High School Docents serve as guides for elementary, middle, and high school students who visit the exhibition every year, utilizing Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) for a student-driven, collaborative, and inclusive experience (Click here for a VTS overview).
Scheduling your docent is easy. Just click “YES” under “Would you like to have a student docent?” when registering for your in-person field trip; live virtual field trips automatically utilize docents.
Please refer to the chart above for docent availability days based on location / modality.
Changes To Your Field Trip
Should you need to make changes to or cancel your in-person or virtual field trip, please email or call us at 941-404-5710 as soon as possible.
For in-person field trip, you must also cancel all scheduled buses directly with your transportation department. Any such cost will be the responsibility of the individual school making the reservation.
Questions
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 941-404-5710 or email us.
Make-A-Day Of It!
Classes who visit the exhibition in-person are provided the opportunity to continue their experience with one of our community partners in Sarasota and St. Petersburg. View partner offerings below!
Just follow these steps to participate:
- Confirm arrangements directly with your preferred partner organization first.
- REGISTER for your EOD Exhibition Tour, making sure that your exhibition tour and Make-A-Day! Activity occur on the same day and utilize the same buses.
- Book transportation directly with your school transportation office.
- If your EOD Exhibition Tour is canceled for any reason, you must also cancel your Make-A-Day of It! plans.
Questions? Contact the individual Make-A-Day! provider or email .
For St. Pete Make-A-Day Of It! Educators:
Thanks to Visual Arts Referendum Funding, PCS teachers can take their classes on meaningful art-focused field trips connected to their content area curriculum.
Field trips to view impactful works of art and learn about artists and art history in beautiful art museums, galleries, and centers engage, expand, and inspire young minds. These relevant real-world experiences also allow students, teachers, and chaperons to learn more about our local, state, and world's shared artistic and cultural treasures!
Please follow the steps listed here on the PCS Visual Arts department to secure your transportation and substitute funding.
- Sarasota Make-A-Day Of It!
- St. Pete Make-A-Day Of It!
Sarasota Bayfront Park Exhibition Pairings
FST Schooltime Performances
FST's Children's Theatre series is designed for children to explore the world of theatre arts. Learn More
Guided and Self-Guided (Teacher-Led) Tours
Extend your exploration of the Embracing Our Differences exhibit by taking a short stroll along the bayfront to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus. Learn More
Exploring The Bay
Join us for a hands-on, immersive learning experience as we explore the vibrant ecosystem of Sarasota Bay. Learn More
Patriot Plaza School Guided Tours
School tours of Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery provide students with the opportunity to learn about Civics, American History, Visual Arts, and Language Arts through docent-led tours of the amphitheater and artworks featuring content aligned to the Florida Standards. Learn More
Teacher-Led Tour
Bring your students to visit The Ringling and use the museum as your classroom! Learn More
Guided and Self-Guided and Creation Lab Tours
Observe, discuss, and connect! Contemporary artists often use unconventional methods, media, and messages to push traditional art forms’ boundaries. Your students will learn to look at and appreciate the art of our time. Learn More
Van Wezel Schooltime Performances
Teach beyond the classroom! Van Wezel Schooltime Performances present high quality, nationally and internationally renowned artists and performances for area students. Learn More
St. Petersburg Pier Exhibition Pairings
Schooltime Tours
Docent-led tours of The Chihuly Collection are available for groups of 10 or more and are included with your ticket price. Learn More
Schooltime Tours
Field trips are scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 12 PM during February and March. Learn More
Schooltime Tours
At The James Museum, students explore and discover works of art that bring to life the rich history and exciting tales of the American West and wildlife art. Choose from one of the grade-appropriate tours below or plan your own with the help of our museum educators. Learn More
