What to expect from our At-Gallery School Programs
In 2025-2026, RMG’s gallery programs mostly features artworks found in our permanent collection exhibition space, Homage. It is important that students get a sense of the variety of artworks artists create. All school visitors will complete their gallery tour with a walkthrough of current exhibitions, offering deeper insights into the artists’ use of materials and approaches to artmaking. Please follow the links for more information on what will be on display during your visit!
We strive to;
- Design and deliver relevant and impactful programming
- Activate new perspectives, ideas and connections inspired by Ontario Curriculum and are cross-curricular
- Use fine art materials and encourage experimentation, process over final product is key
- Empower student’s sense of self and build self-confidence and to interpret the world around them
- Build communication and critical thinking skills
Booking Details
- Our At-Gallery programs are designed for minimum of 15 students to a maximum of 60 students
- Start times are flexible, we recommend 9:30-11:30am, 10am-12pm, and 12-2pm. All programs are available Wednesdays to Fridays
- Payment: Can be made on the day of the program OR an invoice will be emailed to the school after the visit. We accept cash, cheque or credit/debit onsite.
- Questions? Contact the Learning Team: 905 576 3000 ex.114 or email: [email protected]
- Read our FAQ for more details
Kindergarten: Feeling Art
October 2025 to June 2026
120 minute session | $15 per student (no tax)
The Feeling Art program encourages students to connect personal experiences with various traditional and contemporary artworks including portraits, landscapes, sculptures and narrative artworks. Students will build self-confidence, strengthen their social emotional learning skills, and learn basic visual literacy skills through storytelling and engaging gallery interactives.
In the studio, we use various watercolour painting techniques and pastels to complete a personal and unique expressive self-portrait.
Gr. 1-3: Telling Stories
October 2025 to June 2026
120 minute session | $15 per student (no HST)
What is the artist trying to communicate? Telling Stories revolves around discovering the narratives behind the artworks through engaging storytelling and use of visual clues. This program encourages exploration and discovery of self, identity and belonging using grade specific activities, discussions and collaborative interactives.
In the studio, students will create texturized relief clay portraitures using hand building techniques.
Gr. 4-6: Homage
October 2025 to June 2026
120-minute session | $15 per student (no HST)
What does homage mean? Can students relate to traditional and contemporary artists who honour the people, land and events that influence and inspire them? Through this exploration, students will learn how portrait artists express emotions, understand how and why landscape artists pay tribute to nature, and discover how narrative artists weave stories that engage us and encourage deeper exploration. In the studio, students create a mixed media artwork inspired by a garment, honouring someone they feel deserves recognition!
Gr. 4-6: Special Exhibition Program: Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 ships
November 2025 to February 2026
120 minute session | $15 per student (no HST)
This special exhibition program offers an in-depth look at an artist’s reimagining of afrofuturism. Artist, Ekow Nimako takes audiences on a journey, telling the visual story of a mysterious fourteenth century sea voyage of a ruler of ancient African kingdoms. Students will learn about afrofuturism, delve into the visual narrative of the story of a black civilization and see various architectural features of the fictious world. Nimako creates three-dimensional sculptures using unique and surprising unconventional art materials of Legos.
In the studio, students will use Legos and mixed media materials to create painted structures inspired by the exhibition.
Gr. 7-8: Influence and Inspiration
October 2025 to June 2026
120 minute session | $15 per student (no HST)
Artists possess the remarkable ability to reveal so much about our perceptions of self, identity and our sense of the world around us. In this exploration, we will discuss concepts such as imitation, allusion, and reinterpretation as we discuss traditional and contemporary portraits, landscapes, narratives and sculpture. In the studio, students will engage in the artistic process of crafting a mixed media biographical portrait by utilizing paint, image transfer techniques, and oil pastels. In this project, you will explore the life of a notable Canadian individual whose achievements deserve recognition.
FAQ
What will my day look like?
The two hour program will be divided equally between the gallery interactives and studio time, approximately one hour in the gallery and one hour in the studio. With two groups, they will switch places after an hour. Group 1 will start in the gallery while Group 2 will start in the studio. Halfway through the program, Group 1 will move to the studio and Group 2 will move to the gallery exhibitions.
Can parent volunteers join us?
Yes! We encourage parents to help supervise during the program. Parents do not pay for their visit, the fee is for students only. Please note, teacher and parent volunteers will not be making their own art, but their help are very much appreciated throughout the session. Parent drivers may park in the south lot, and will need to pay at the pay station.
Should we bring snacks?
Pocket snacks can be eaten in between or after programming. We do not have a designated area for eating so this would happen in the space outside the studio or in the backyard, if it is open. If you feel it would be a benefit to your students to have a snack, please let us know ahead of time so we can adjust the schedule accordingly.
Can we eat in the gallery?
Eating and drinking in the gallery spaces are prohibited which includes adults with coffee cups or water bottles. Student backpacks are also prohibited in the gallery spaces but we have a place for students to place their things while attending a program. If a teacher/adult must keep a backpack on hand they must carry it.
How many students can I bring in a single visit?
We can have a maximum of 60 students, split into two even groups. Our studio does not hold any more than 30 students at a time.
What should the students wear?
We will be making art and there is a chance of getting messy. Please advise parents to send children in clothing appropriate for art making. During the winter, it is recommended that students bring their indoor shoes to the program.
Will there be time to visit the gift shop?
We do have a gift shop onsite but we do not build in time to visit it.
What amenities can we expect?
We have fully accessible washrooms available, a drinking fountain and water bottle filling station is located next to the washrooms. There are no vending machines onsite.
Can teachers/students take photos?
Flash free photos are allowed in the gallery exhibitions and in the studio space.
How do we pay?
Option 1: Cheque, cash, credit card and debit card are accepted on the day of your trip, we unfortunately cannot provide change for cheque payments. Please note, it may take us several business days to send a receipt.
Option 2: Invoicing from the RMG to your school after your trip. We will only charge for the number of students in attendance.
Do you charge HST?
The RMG currently does not charge HST or GST for any of this children’s programs including school groups.