Planning Your School Visit

Cost for School Programs

The cost for one school program at PEM is $6.50 per student. Programs that include an art activity cost $7.50 per student. When booking two or more programs for one visit, the total cost per student is $10.

The cost for self-guided school groups is $6.50 per student.

One adult chaperone is admitted free of charge for every 10 students. Additional adults will be charged the student rate.

The cost for guided visits for college and university groups is $7.00 per student. One adult is granted complimentary admission.

Financial Aid for Field Trips

• Target Field Trip Grants
• Massachusetts Cultural Council Big Yellow School Bus Funding

Hours

The museum is open for guided school tours of Yin Yu Tang Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 11:15 am and then from 12:45 to 1:45 pm. Only 25 students are allowed in Yin Yu Tang at a time for a 30-minute tour. Larger groups will be divided into groups of 25 or less.

The museum is open for all other guided and self-guided tours Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm. If you plan to visit the museum in a self-guided capacity, we require three weeks advance notice by calling 978-542-1514.

Chaperones

PEM requires one adult chaperone for every 10 students visiting the museum. The museum provides complimentary admission for one adult chaperone for every 10 students. Additional adults with a school group are charged the student rate.

Accessibility

With three weeks’ advanced notice, the museum can provide sign-language interpreters or visual descriptive tours. The museum galleries are fully accessible to wheelchairs. The Salem historic houses and Yin Yu Tang are not fully accessible. Please call ahead with any concerns regarding accessibility for your students. You may reach School Services at 978-745-9500, ext. 3046, or contact us through our TTY line at 978-740-3649.

Code of Conduct for School Group Visits

1. All students and chaperones must store their belongings, including coats, backpacks and lunches, in their designated area assigned by museum staff. All baggage is subject to inspection upon arrival. Medical bags are permitted in the museum once checked and approved by the security guard on duty.
2. No food or drink, except bottled water, may be brought into museum galleries.
3. All students MUST be accompanied by an adult chaperone at all times when visiting the museum galleries. This includes self-guided visits.
4. All cell phone use, including texting and e-mailing, is prohibited inside the galleries during school visits. Cell phones must be stowed, with ringers turned off, at all times in the galleries and during tours.
5. If students are expected to work on a drawing or writing assignment, please bring clipboards or other sturdy surfaces to avoid writing on gallery walls and floors. Pens and markers are not allowed in the galleries. Clipboards may be reserved in advance.
6. No more than 10 students are allowed in the Museum Shop at one time, and must be accompanied by a chaperone.
7. Photography is not permitted in Yin Yu Tang or in the special exhibition galleries. Flash photography, tripods and videotaping are not permitted in any galleries.

Please share these guidelines with your students and chaperones.

Group Arrival

Groups may enter the museum 10 minutes prior to the designated time of your program. Bus drop off is located at the corner of Essex and New Liberty streets. If your group is running late, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting 978-745-9500, ext. 3040. Time may be cut from your program if your group is late.

Lunch

If you plan to bring lunch or purchase lunch in the Atrium Café, you must make a reservation for use of the space. School lunch space is limited and is reserved on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability.

Museum Shop

After your visit, your students are welcome to visit the Museum Shop in groups of 10 or less while under the supervision of an adult.