Guided tours of the Carlos Museum are interactive, adaptable, and aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Highly trained docents facilitate inquiry and discussion around artwork, allowing students to be active participants in their own learning. Our tours foster skills such as observation, analysis, and communication and encourage students to be critical thinkers.
How to Schedule a Tour
The Carlos Museum offers a variety of tours on subjects ranging from archaeology and art conservation to world religion and AP Art History. Follow the steps outlined below to select and schedule your tour.
- Review our list of tour options to find the best choice for your students. Groups are limited to a maximum of 65 students per hour. Tour and gallery availability is dependent on group size. Multiple collection areas may be selected to accommodate a larger group size.
- Reservations must be completed online. Please click "Schedule Your In-Person Tour" to check availability and schedule your tour.
- Credit card payment is encouraged at the time of booking. You will receive a confirmation email indicating that you have scheduled and paid for your tour. If you require an invoice, or prefer to pay by check, please select the payment option "Invoice Required for Payment" when making your reservation.
Tours are based on availability and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
General Tour Information
Tour Times
Tours are offered Tuesday – Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to begin.
Group Size
Minimum group size is 5 guests per tour. Maximum group size is 65 guests per tour. Groups larger than 65 may schedule back-to-back tours on the same day or visit the Carlos over multiple days.
Chaperones
One chaperone for every 10 students is required.
Late Arrivals
Contact the Office of Educational Programs at 404-727-4667 to alert us of a late arrival. If you arrive late, your tour may be shortened due to other scheduled groups. Groups who arrive more than 20 minutes late will forfeit their reservation.
Fees
| Title I Schools | Free |
| Non-Title I Schools, 5-9 Students | $45 |
| Non-Title I Schools, 10-20 Students | $100 |
| Non-Title I Schools, 21-30 Students | $160 |
| Non-Title I Schools, 31-40 Students | $220 |
| Non-Title I Schools, 41-50 Students | $280 |
| Non-Title I Schools, 51-65 Students | $380 |
| Non-Title I School - Invoice Required for Payment | No payment required at the time of booking. |
| Homeschool Groups - Invoice Required for Payment | No payment required at the time of booking. |
Self-Guided Tours
Teachers may also guide their own tours through the galleries for students. To prevent overcrowding, self-guided groups must be scheduled through the Office of Educational Programs. Please reserve a time online and select the self-guided tour option.
Bus Fund
We know field trips can be expensive. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to reimburse up to $300 per bus to Title I schools in an effort to make the collections of the Carlos accessible to more students. Select the bus funding option on the tour reservation form to begin the application process. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Know Before You Go
How do we get to the museum, and where do we park?
The museum is located on the historic quadrangle on the campus of Emory University. If arriving in cars or personal vehicles, please park at either the Fishburne or Oxford Road Visitor’s Deck. If you are arriving by bus, please read the directions below, and share with your driver to ensure easy bus access to campus.
Where do we check in?
Upon arrival, please check-in with the Office of Educational Programs on the Plaza Level to meet your docents.
Leave backpacks and oversized bags at home
In an effort to protect our objects, backpacks of any size and oversized bags are not permitted in the galleries. Lockers are available on site on a first-come, first-served basis. Necessary medical supplies can be carried in a tote bag that may be carried in the galleries. Coats and lunches may be stored on the Plaza Level outside the Office of Educational Programs. The museum is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Is there a place to eat lunch?
The Carlos does not have indoor facilities for students to eat lunch. Groups are welcome to eat lunch on nearby picnic tables or on Emory’s Quadrangle.
Help preserve the art and artifacts for future generations
Once you are in the galleries, pay attention to your group’s behavior, and help students remember to not touch the objects or lean on walls or cases. No food or drink is allowed in the galleries at any time, and students must use pencils only.
Be present
Please stay with your students while on campus. Help students concentrate on their tour by staying close, listening actively, and participating along with them.
Getting the most out of your visit
- Before your visit, preview our collection online.
- Divide into groups of 10 students and 1-2 adults prior to arrival.
- Be curious! Ask questions and make comments about the objects on your tour.
Bus Drop-off and Parking
Please do not use a GPS if you are arriving by bus. Directions provided through GPS are excellent for personal vehicles, but they do not provide proper access routes into campus for buses.
Student Drop-off and Pick-Up
- All buses must enter the Emory campus at the intersection of Clifton Road and Fishburne Drive.
- You will approach a bus drop-off zone on the right at the bottom of the hill on Fishburne Drive.
- Students should be dropped off at the bus drop-off zone, from which they can safely cross the bridge and enter the Plaza Level of the museum.
Bus Parking
After dropping off students, buses should continue on Fishburne Drive, then turn right on Fishburne Lane. Park in the designated bus parking area on the right side of the road.
Help—we're lost!
If you are lost, please call 404-727-4667 for assistance.
