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Spring School Programs

We’re excited to bring back onsite and virtual school programs for the 2022–23 school year. We’ve reimagined our onsite school experiences, and look forward to greeting you and your students with refreshed programs that help students reflect, connect, and contribute to their communities. 

Come explore the many stories of California and its people, learn about the natural, artistic, and social forces that affect the state, and investigate your own role in both its history and its future. 

Whether in OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, or Natural Sciences, one of our special exhibitions, or online, all of our cross-disciplinary programs are rooted in inquiry, dialogue, and creative expression, centering joy and justice.

We’re currently scheduling through June 2, 2023.

Stay up-to-date through our educator mailing list.

onsite
field trips

Visit OMCA in-person for a Gallery Inquiry Lab, Guided Gallery Visit, performance, or self-guided field trip. Select from the offerings below.

Becoming California Guided Gallery Visit

Grades 4–8. How and why do people come to California? Investigate diverse experiences of immigration and migration. In person at OMCA.

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Self-Guided Visit

Grades K–12. Create your own experience for students to explore the Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences or special exhibitions in person at OMCA.

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Watersheds & Me Gallery Inquiry Lab

Grades 3–4. Explore how healthy watersheds support healthy communities and our role in protecting California’s regional habitats. In person at OMCA.

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Portraits & Identity Guided Gallery Visit

Grades 2–8. Discover how artists communicate personal and cultural identity through symbols, settings, and expressions in portraits. In person at OMCA.

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Black History Performance

Grades K–6. Experience this fun, interactive performance that acknowledges a history of oppression and celebrates the dreams and contributions of African Americans past, present, and future, with Oakland a cappella group SoVoSó. In person at OMCA.

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VIRTUAL
field trips

We’re pleased to offer free virtual field trips for the 2022–23 school year. Experience OMCA exhibitions, galleries, and performances from your classroom.

Black History Virtual Performance 

Experience this fun, interactive virtual performance that acknowledges a history of oppression and celebrates the dreams and contributions of African Americans past, present, and future, with Oakland a cappella group SoVoSó.

 Learn more

Plan
Your field trip

Select from the field trip offerings above to reserve your spot using our online registration system. All in-person field trips must be reserved at least two weeks in advance.

Payment

Field trips scheduled using our online registration system require a credit card for payment. 

Scholarships & Discounts

OMCA offers a 30% discount for Oakland Unified School District groups, and a 50% discount for Title I schools on all programs and self-guided visits.

A limited number of bus scholarships are available for onsite field trips.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule or cancel your onsite or virtual field trip, please contact [email protected] at least two weeks before your scheduled visit to receive a refund. For free virtual field trips, this allows us enough time to bring another class off the waitlist.

Waitlist

Join our waitlist if the program you are interested in is currently sold out. If a program spot opens up that matches your request, we’ll contact you to make your reservation.

Chaperones

The Museum requires these chaperone to student ratios through grade 12:

1:10 minimum
1:4 maximum
1:6 in the OMCA Store

A maximum of 10 chaperones are allowed per reservation. Please note, if the ratio of adult chaperones to students exceeds 1:4, there will be a charge of $10 per additional adult.

Transportation & Parking

We encourage groups to take public transportation when possible. We are located one block from the Lake Merritt BART Station and a 15 minute walk from 12th Street BART Station. The Museum parking garage may be full at times. If you drive, please allow extra time for parking. Learn more.

Lunch & Backpack Storage

Please leave student backpacks at school or on the bus. A limited number of first-come, first-served lockers are located outside of the Gallery of California History, and cannot be guaranteed available. Please do not bring valuables to the Museum. Adults with backpacks must hand-carry them at their side or front while in the galleries. Lunches can be stored and picked up when you’re ready to eat. Bag lunches can be eaten in the Museum garden or at the picnic tables near the Koi Pond, but are not allowed in the Town Hall cafe or at the tables on the cafe terrace.

Accessibility

OMCA is committed to accessibility for all. Guests using wheelchairs should enter at the Oak Street Plaza entrance, which is accessible by ramp from the sidewalk on Oak Street. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan onsite. An elevator is available to access the three levels once within the Museum. Please reserve at least three weeks in advance and email [email protected] if you would like a program adapted to the special needs of your group. Learn more.

Museum Guidelines

Please review the Museum’s rules ahead of time with students and chaperones. Learn more.

Explore OMCA

While you’re at OMCA, be sure to check out our Gallery of California Art, Gallery of California History, Gallery of California Natural Sciences, and Garden. Learn more.

Questions?

Contact us at [email protected].

TEACHER
RESOURCES

Whether you’re planning a lesson for your classroom, or a trip to the Oakland Museum of California, our materials provide information and ideas to use with your students. Browse OMCA’s online collection resources, curriculum, and other materials for your classroom or Museum visit.

Andrew J. Russell and the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad Curriculum

Uncover the history behind the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and practice visual literacy skills, using the online tool Picture This to closely examine historical photographs from the Oakland Museum of California’s Andrew J. Russell Collection.

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Dorothea Lange Digital Archive

This digital archive showcases the socially conscious work of documentary photographer Dorothea Lange, including notable photographs, personal quotes, and historical context illustrating some of America’s most defining moments.

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Día de los Muertos Curriculum

These Day of the Dead curriculum materials offer teachers and students an opportunity to experience a living and evolving cultural tradition. The materials provide resources for integrating lessons related to history, culture, and art.

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Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing Teacher Resources

Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing explores the enduring legacy of her photography through the lens of social and political activism. These teacher resources provide a platform for students to dive deeper into major themes explored in this exhibition, and feature a variety of primary sources pulled from the Oakland Museum of California’s Dorothea Lange Archive.

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Online Collection

OMCA has an extensive collection of objects. Thousands of artifacts and artworks, each with images and descriptions, can be browsed on the Online Collection website. 

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Picture This: California’s Perspectives on American History

Learn about the rich cultural diversity of California using primary source images from the OMCA’s collections.

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Question Bridge: Black Males Student and Teacher Guides

Download a written guide to help students and teachers explore issues of identity through dialogue and connections to other OMCA resources. 

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Angela Davis: Seize the Time Conversation Guide

Download a written guide to help students and teachers explore issues of identity through dialogue and connections to other OMCA resources. 

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Hella Feminist Student Conversation Guide

Download a written guide to help students and teachers explore issues of identity through dialogue and connections to other OMCA resources. 

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School programs and tours are made possible in part by generous support from Kaiser Permanente, Koret Foundation, and PG&E.

Additional support is provided by The Barrios Trust, Dodge & Cox, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, The Joseph and Mercedes McMicking Foundation, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Pixar Animation Studios, Port of Oakland, The Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation, Union Bank, and by an Anonymous Foundation.