• Group visits are 1 hour 45 minutes.
• Group visits require a minimum of 10 students.
• During the school year (Sept- May) groups may have a maximum of 150 students.
• During the summer season (June- August) groups may have a maximum of 50 students.
• A ratio of 1 adult for every 5 students is required.
• Group visits are designed for students in grades PK-3rd grade. Custom visits can be created for 4th and 5th graders.
• Upon arrival Museum staff will assist you in dividing your group into groups of 25 students or less. These groups will each be assigned a Facilitator to guide them through the Museum.
• Group visits are by reservation only. 
• Your reservation is not confirmed until you have received your confirmation packet.

To top

Making a Reservation
Contact Museum Reservationist at 512-472-2499 x201 (Office hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Group visits are available Tuesday – Friday at 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30 (except the first Tuesday of every month NO TOUR TUESDAY)

Please have the following information prepared when you call…

• Credit card number to hold a reservation. The card will not be charged unless the reservation violates the cancellation policy.
• 3 choices of dates and times. We recommend that you book your tour 6 weeks in advance for the best selection of dates and times.
• Educator names for each class visiting.
• Number of students in each class.
• Age/ grade level
• Language/ translation needed. (ACM will do everything we can to provide a Spanish speaking facilitator for bilingual tours. Unfortunately, staff is limited, and we ask Educators to assist with translation when needed.)
• Accommodations for special needs students.
• A limited number of scholarships are available for Title One schools and similar organizations. Please request an application when making your reservation.
• Your reservation is not confirmed until you have received your confirmation packet.

To top

Payment and Pricing
Students are $4.25
Teachers are admitted free.
1 chaperone per 5 students is admitted free. Additional Chaperones are $4.25
Because this rate is already discounted, ACM Memberships and other passes do no apply to group visits.
A limited number of scholarships are available for Title One schools and similar organizations. Scholarship requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the reserved tour date. Please request an application when making your reservation.

Payment:

• Your confirmation letter will include an invoice which states the balance for your group visit.
• If your confirmation letter does not accurately reflect your group size or rate please contact the Museum Reservationist immediately. You will be charged for the amount indicated on your confirmation letter when you arrive. Changes to information must be made at least 24 hours before arrival. 
• Payment must be made in one lump sum.
• Payment must be made at time of arrival. You may also pay in advance by contacting the Museum Reservationist.
• The Museum accepts credit cards (Visa, Amex, and Mastercard), check or cash.
• School purchase orders are not accepted as payment.

To top

Cancellation
To avoid penalty, cancellations must be received in writing 14 business days before the tour reservation date.
Reservations cancelled less than 14 business days before the reserved tour date will be penalized with a 20% cancellation and processing fee. This fee will be charged to the credit card number on file (used to confirm the reservation) unless another source of payment is provided at the time of cancellation.

To top

Preparing for your visit

• Read all items in your confirmation packet carefully. If you have questions contact the Museum Reservationist at 512-472-2499 x201. 
• Educators can prepare for a tour by visiting the Museum, free of charge, prior to the group visit. Show your School ID and receive free admission or sign up for our Educator Email Updates and receive an educator pass.
• Prepare your students with the user friendly Educator Exhibit Guides (Available for each of the Museum’s exhibit areas). This valuable resource includes exhibit details, TEKS correlations, samples questions for guided inquiry, and suggested pre/post visit activities to integrate museum and classroom learning.
• Choose and prepare your chaperones. Distribute the ACM Chaperone letter English/ Spanish to all chaperones. ACM requires 1 chaperone for every 5 students.
• Unfortunately, ACM does not have eating accommodations. Please plan accordingly.
• ACM will do everything we can to provide Spanish speaking guides to all bilingual tours. Unfortunately, staff is limited, and we ask teachers to assist with translation when needed.

Educator Exhibit Guide

Feature Exhibits
Play It By Ear - January 19 - September 14, 2008

Download Play It By Ear Educator Guide
Download Play It By Ear Exhibit Activity Sheet

Permanent Exhibits
Tinkerer's Workshop
Funstruction Zone
Global City (for PreK-K)
Austin Kiddie Limits (for PreK-K)

PDF Chaperone/ Parent Letter English

PDF Chaperone/ Parent Letter Spanish

PDF Confirmation letter “Learning is Fun”

Scholarship Application Form

Need to justify your visit?  

Inquiry Based Learning

Arriving and Parking

• Please be punctual. Being on time will ensure that your students get the most out of their visit to the Museum. In order to accommodate the day's tour schedule groups arriving late will not be permitted to stay late. 
• When you arrive at the Museum you will be greeted by a Museum staff member who will assist you will all aspects of unloading, entering, arranging payment and coordinating your groups in an efficient manner.
• Each educator should complete the information on the confirmation letter “Learning is Fun” insert prior to arrival. This will ensure a smooth entrance and check in process.
• Payment for group visits is due upon arrival and should be paid to the box office in one lump sum. Your balance due is indicated on your confirmation letter. To save time, you may contact the Museum Reservationist and pay by phone. 512-472-2499 x201.

Parking

• Unfortunately the Museum does not have onsite parking, nor control of any nearby parking.
• Cars may park at the AMLI parking garage (entrance on Lavaca St. between 2nd and 3rd Streets) or the City Hall Garage (entrance on Guadalupe between Ceasar Chavez and 2nd St.). Drivers should plan to pay between $5-$10 for garage parking. There are also a limited number of parking meters available on a first come first serve basis. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause- please plan accordingly.
• Buses may park at Austin High School or the Palmer Event Center. Museum staff will provide bus drivers with a map and directions to parking.
• Please remember there is no parking in the Museum bus loading zone.

To top