Exhibition Field Trips

"I can't say enough about this field trip. It was age appropriate, my students were highly engaged and loved it."
Elementary Teacher

"I love listening to my students discuss and talk about the art. I love that it helps my class to be more accepting of others. Thank you for this opportunity, and thank you for helping our students embrace our differences."
Middle School Teacher

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.

10,842 students and 391 teachers across the globe experienced the 2025 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 | 2026 Exhibition

Registration and More

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:

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. Click here for Sarasota Bayfront Park Guide. 

Lesson Plans: Created by teachers for teachers, our age-appropriate lessons address applicable learning intentions and success criteria expected of every student. Click here to check out available lessons and professional development opportunities.

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, including Florida Studio Theatre, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, Patriot Plaza, The Ringling Museum, Sarasota Art Museum, and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Just follow these steps to participate:

1. Confirm arrangements directly with your preferred partner organization first.
2. 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.
3. Book transportation directly with your school transportation office.
4. 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 EOD Staff.

St. Petersburg | Poynter Park Exhibition Pairings Visual Arts Student Field Trips PCS Visual Arts Student Field Trips Thanks to Visual Arts Referendum Funding, Pinellas County Schools teachers can take their classes on meaningful art-focused field trips connected to their content area curriculum. Learn More Grades: See Individual Org. Details Availability: See Individual Org. Details Cost: See Individual Org. Details

Sarasota | Bayfront Park Exhibition Pairings Florida Studio Theatre FST Schooltime Performances FST's Children's Theatre series is designed for children to explore the world of theatre arts. Learn More Grades: K - 5 Availability: See options for dates and times Cost: $7 per students & chaperones. Teachers are free Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 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 Grades: K - 12 Availability: January 20th- April 17th (Monday-Friday) | 10 AM start time (check-in between 9:45-10 AM) | Tue. through Fri. Cost: $9 - $12 per student | one free chaperone per 10 students | additional chaperones $12 | max 10 students to 3 chaperones ratio | Scholarships Available through Selby Mote Marine Lab Experience Exploring The Bay Join us for a hands-on, immersive learning experience as we explore the vibrant ecosystem of Sarasota Bay. Learn More Grades: K - 12 Availability: Inquire for Details Cost: $10 per student (discounted rate) | one free adult per 10 students | extra chaperones $20 each Patriot Plaza 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 Grades: 4-12 Availability: Jan. 21 - April 11 | Tuesdays Preferred | Other Days with 4 Weeks Advanced Notification Cost: Free The Ringling Teacher-Led Tour Bring your students to visit The Ringling and use the museum as your classroom! Learn More Grades: All Levels Availability: Jan. 21 - April 11 | Tue. Through Fri. Cost: Free for Students. Includes two (2) adult chaperones per ten (10) students. Bus drivers are free of charge. Additional Adults $10 each. Sarasota Art Museum 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 Grades: K - 12 Availability: Jan. 21 - April 11 Cost: Free Van Wezel Schooltime Performances 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 Grades: See options for reccomendations Availability: See options for dates and times Cost: $7 for students, teachers and chaperones. Grants available for Title I Schools.