Education Programs with the UM Museum
Discover the UM Museum’s Education Programs designed to inspire curiosity and creativity for learners of all ages.
What Are Education Programs?
The University of Mississippi Museum offers dynamic educational experiences that bring art to life for visitors of all ages.
- Through hands-on workshops, family programs, class visits, and community partnerships, our Education Department creates opportunities to learn, create, and engage with art in meaningful ways.
Each program is designed to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and deepen understanding of the diverse collections on display.
What Education Programs Does the Museum Offer?
Bring your little one to the Museum for a monthly stroller-friendly gallery visit, a story, and hands-on sensory activities inspired by the featured exhibition, while caregivers learn more about the artworks from a Museum educator.
Program Highlights:
- FREE!
- Age: 0–2 years
- Time: 10:00–10:45 AM
Fall 2026 Dates:
- Thursday, September 3rd, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Thursday, October 1st, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Thursday, November 5th, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Thursday, December 3rd, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Join us for a fun and flexible art program designed for homeschool students and their guardians! Create, explore, and learn in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Program Highlights:
- FREE!
- For All Ages and Families
- Time: 10:45am-12:00pm (Drop-in)
- Optional Docent Tour at 10:45am
Fall 2026 Dates:
- Wednesday, September 16th, 10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 21st, 10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 18th, 10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 16th, 10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
Building Brains is a free drop-in morning program for ages 1–8 where adults and children learn together through stories, music, art, and play—sparking creativity and joyful exploration.
Program Highlights:
- FREE!
- Age: 1-8 years
- Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
- Partnership with the University of Mississippi School of Education
Fall 2026 Dates:
- Wednesday, September 10th, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 8th, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 12th, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 10th, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Art Start Kits make creativity easy— Take a kit and Create your project at the Museum or at home! Each kit has everything you need for a fun, hands-on art experience.
Program Highlights:
- FREE!
- For All Ages (children must be accompanied with an adult)
- When: Every Saturday (excluding University holidays)
- Time: All Day During Operating Hours (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Enjoy a self-guided sketching experience for all ages and skill levels using free museum materials or your own supplies.
Program Highlights:
- FREE!
- For All Ages (children must be accompanied with an adult)
- When: Every Saturday (excluding University holidays)
- Time: All Day During Operating Hours (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
What Are Partnership Programs?
Join us for a fun and educational partnership between the UM Museum and the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library! On the last Friday of every month, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, the Museum is a special guest for the Library’s weekly Story Time program. Enjoy a lively story followed by a hands-on art activity. This program sparks creativity and learning in a relaxed environment, making it perfect for young children and families to explore both books and art together.
Program Highlights:
- Age: 0-5 years- Note: Story Time is a weekly Public Library program open to all
- Time: 10:30am-11:30am
- Location: Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library
Below are our Fall 2026 Story Time guest visit dates. Please note that dates may change if the last Friday falls on a University holiday.
- Friday, October 30th, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- Friday, November 20th, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- Friday, December 18th, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for a fun and educational partnership between the UM Museum and the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library! We will have a hands-on art activity available for walk-up participation. We hope to spark creativity and learning in a relaxed environment, so you can explore both books and art together!
Program Highlights:
- Age: Middle School- Note: After School Zone is a weekly Public Library program
- Time: 3:45pm-4:45pm
- Location: Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library
Below are our Fall 2026 After School Zone guest visit dates. Please note that dates may change due to holidays.
- Monday, September 21st // Wednesday, September 23rd, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 27th // Thursday, October 29th, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Monday, November 30th // Wednesday, December 2nd // Friday, December 4th, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
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 coalition focuses its collective energy and expertise on four main areas: school readiness, out-of-school time opportunities, attendance, and targeted efforts to promote grade-level reading.
L.O.U. ReadsCara Buffington
Director of Early Childhood and Reading Development
(662) 234-3541 | ext. 71418
cbbuffington@oxfordsd.org
Natalie Barry
School Readiness Coordinator
(662)-234-3541 | ext. 71434
npbarry@oxfordsd.org