Museum Education
The University of Mississippi Museum offers education programs for all ages, providing hands-on learning experiences, workshops, tours, and community partnerships that connect art and education.
Explore. Imagine. Create.
The University of Mississippi Museum Education Department makes learning about art enjoyable and intellectually stimulating through a wide array of programs for all audiences: first-time visitors; individuals of all ages; families; students on a class visit or teachers seeking guidance in incorporating art into school curricula. Every year, we present events and programs that allow our visitors to connect meaningfully with the art on view.
Apply for a Museum Education Graduate Assistantship
Calendar
Our monthly calendar highlights all upcoming Museum education programs on and off campus. Check back often for new events, and review age ranges or sign-up details under Programming before visiting.
Museum Education in Action
Programming
Imagination Station
A pop-up art program for K–4th graders, where creativity and imagination take center stage.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Frequency: Pop-Up program
• Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
- Review Program Policies and Procedures before signing up
Discovery Day
A flexible art program for homeschool families, featuring drop-in art making and an optional guided tour.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Homeschool Event
• Time: 10:30am-12:00pm (Drop-in)
• Optional Docent Tour at 10:45am
• Art Activity
- For All Ages and Families
Building Brains
A free, drop-in morning program for children ages 1–8 to explore stories, music, art, and sensory play.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Frequency: Once a Month
• Time: 10:00am-11:00am
• Partnership with the University of Mississippi School of Education
- For Ages 1-8 years
Sketchbook Saturdays
A self-guided sketching session for all ages and skill levels, using museum materials or your own, with seating provided in the galleries.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Frequency: Every Saturday, excluding University holidays
• Time: All Day During Operating Hours (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Drop-In)
- For All Ages (children must be accompanied with an adult)
Story Time
A collaborative program with the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library featuring a lively story and hands-on art activity for young children and families to explore books and art together.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Frequency: Last Friday of Every Month
• Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
- For Young Children & Families
After School Zone
A monthly partnership with the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library featuring a creative, hands-on art activity designed for middle school students to explore books and art together.
Program Highlights:
• FREE!
• Frequency: Second Week of Every Month
• Time: 3:45–4:45 p.m.
• Location: Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library
- For Middle School Students
Group Tours
Take your experience at the Museum to the next level and gain a greater understanding of the diverse collections on display by booking a class visit or tour today! The UM Museum staff offers guided tours for visitors of all interests.
Our Curator of Education will consult with you to create the most enriching experience possible. Whether you want a general tour of the whole museum or a specialized focus on one exhibit to correspond with your curriculum, we are happy to work with you to create a memorable and rewarding educational experience.
A few notes:
- Please submit requests at least two weeks before anticipated visit.
- A tour request is not the same as a booking, as there may be a prior event or booking. You will be contacted by museum staff to confirm your group's visit and answer any additional questions.
- Visitors may park in the Museum lot at no charge. A bus/van lane is available in front of the main entrance.
- Group tours are limited to groups larger than 10.
- Tours are available Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-3 p.m.
- All tours are free. A related art activity can be added to your visit for groups of 40 or fewer at a time.
Take your experience at the Museum to the next level and gain a greater understanding of the diverse collections on display by booking a class visit or tour today! The UM Museum staff offers guided tours for visitors of all interests.
Our Curator of Education will consult with you to create the most enriching experience possible. Whether you want a general tour of the whole museum or a specialized focus on one exhibit to correspond with your curriculum, we are happy to work with you to create a memorable and rewarding educational experience.
A few notes:
- Please submit requests at least two weeks before anticipated visit.
- A guided tour request is not the same as a booking, as there may be a prior event or booking. You will be contacted by museum staff to confirm your group's visit and answer any additional questions.
- Group tours are limited to groups larger than 10.
- Tours are available Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-3 p.m.
- UM students must park where their decals allow and walk to the museum.
Meet the Curator of Education
Welcome to the University Museum and Historic Houses! I’m passionate about creating experiences that make art accessible, inspiring, and fun for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re exploring with your family, attending a workshop, or visiting with a class, my goal is to help you connect with art in meaningful and memorable ways.
Kassidy Franz
Curator of Education
Meet Our Museum Education Team
Hannah Guide
Museum Education
Meet Hannah
Christiana Davis
Museum Education
Meet ChristianaResources
-
Join the Education Newsletter
Sign up for our UM Museum Education Newsletter to stay updated on upcoming programs, special events, and educational resources! Be the first to know about exciting learning opportunities for all ages and discover new ways to engage with art and culture.
UM Museum Education Newsletter Sign-Up -
Educator Resources
We love supporting educators with resources that bring art and culture into the classroom and beyond. These tools are designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection, whether you’re planning a lesson, exploring hands-on activities, or looking for fresh inspiration.
View Educator Resources -
Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library
First Regional Library is a five-county public library cooperative with fourteen branches located in Northern Mississippi. The University Museum Education Department partners with the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library to offer collaborative programs that connect art and literacy for local families and children.
Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library -
L.O.U. Reads
L.O.U. Reads is a group of local organizations and community leaders dedicated to ensuring all children in the Lafayette-Oxford-University (L.O.U.) community read proficiently by the end of third grade.
The Lafayette-Oxford-University Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Apply for a Museum Education Graduate Assistantship
The Museum Education Graduate Assistant supports the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of educational programs at the University of Mississippi Museum. This position offers hands-on experience in museum teaching, program development, and community engagement within a dynamic arts-based learning environment.
About the position
The Graduate Assistant works closely with the Curator of Education to assist with school tours, public programs, family events, and curriculum-connected initiatives. Responsibilities may include preparing materials, co-leading or leading gallery experiences, supporting outreach efforts, and contributing ideas to creative program design.
This position is designed to support professional growth in the field of art and museum education. The Graduate Assistant will gain experience teaching in informal learning spaces, adapting content for diverse audiences, and collaborating within a museum setting.
Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must be actively enrolled in (or admitted to) a Master’s program within the School of Education at the University of Mississippi and remain in good academic standing throughout the assistantship.
Apply
Interested graduate students should use the form below to apply.