Workshops

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The Museum offers workshops and professional development opportunities for groups ranging in size from 5-35 participants. We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum!

Workshops Overview

Workshops are participatory learning experiences facilitated by a Museum Educator. Workshops are designed to foster reflection, build connections, and expand important topics in our exhibits. 

What to expect:

• Reservations are required.
• Specific workshop pricing according to group size.
• Discounted rates and scholarship opportunities may be available.
• Daily admission is included and applicable at the conclusion of the workshop.
• Specific chaperone requirements and expectations apply to all student and youth groups.

Guidelines

Workshops have specific guidelines to promote a safe environment and enjoyable experience for all who enter the Museum, including visiting groups.

Workshop details:

• Group size: 35 people maximum
• Duration: 90 minutes

Self-guided group visits are available for groups of all sizes and have a maximum capacity of 90 people. Advance registration is required. Learn more about School & Group Visit information.

Student and Chaperone Requirements

All student and youth groups have specific chaperone requirements.

• K-5th grade: 1 adult required for every 4 students
• 6th-8th grade: 1 adult required for every 6 students
• 9th-12th grade: 1 adult required for every 8 students

Chaperones are expected to actively supervise and remain with students at all times. Groups without adequate supervision may be asked to leave and/or other action, with or without warning, at the discretion of the Museum of Us staff.

Available Workshops

New Workshop! Power, Resistance & Change

This conversation-based workshop examines the role and importance of resistance to oppressive social systems and fosters personal reflection on power, privilege, and position. Participants are welcomed with an introduction to the exhibit Race: Power, Resistance & Change and provided with brief self-guided time to engage with a specific prompt. Next, participants will dive deeper into racial injustice and resistance to it through facilitated group discussion. Participants will spend time reflecting on the importance of resistance and learn more exhibit-related stories.  

This workshop directly addresses instances of social injustice and contains material that may be new, sensitive, or especially powerful for some guests. Grade 9 and older recommended.

New Workshop! Material Culture

This inquiry-driven workshop encourages participants to think critically about and reflect on everyday objects from throughout history and today. It provides deeper learning connections with our exhibits Race: Power, Resistance & Change and Race: Are We So Different? The workshop opens by examining material cultural items that exemplify the social construction of race, racism, and resistance to oppression. Next, a Museum Educator will lead your group through Q&A and discuss the items. This portion is designed to build connections between history and today, provide additional social context, and inspire curiosity.

This workshop directly addresses instances of social injustice and contains material that may be new, sensitive, or especially powerful for some guests. Grade 6 and older recommended.

Equity vs. Equality

Equity and equality are important concepts to understand systems of oppression and social change. This workshop is designed to add context to the Race: Are We So Different? exhibit and imagine new ways of creating positive change. The workshop is fast-paced and features a popular board game. Participants will also engage in facilitated discussion and reflection.

Participants will be expected to follow multiple instructions of a complex board game, quickly and accurately do multi-digit addition and subtraction, make strategic decisions, and think critically about societal issues. Grade 10 and older recommended.

Hostile Terrain 94 Toe Tags

The Hostile Terrain 94 exhibit features a participatory map of the lives lot crossing the Sonoran Desert region of the US-Mexico border. Each person is represented by a toe tag which is placed on the location where their body was found. During the workshop, participants will learn more about the wall map installation and complete toe tags for future installation. Time for discussion and reflection are important aspects of this workshop.

This workshop directly addresses loss of life and discusses violent realities of migration along U.S. border regions (no graphic images). The experience and content can be very powerful and personal. 

Participants must be able to clearly and accurately copy detailed information into a small writing space. Grade 5 and older recommended. 

Pricing

Workshop rates are determined by group size. Nonprofit rates and scholarship opportunities may be available. Prices include daily admission and the option to add one-year memberships free-of-charge.

• 5 to 15 people: $500 
• 16 to 25 people: $750
• 26 to 35 people: $1,000

Nonprofit discount rate: 40%

Please contact education@museumofus.org for scholarship opportunities. 

Groups may reserve the workshop classroom for independent use before or after the scheduled workshop time. Availability varies. Rental fees apply. 

Meeting Rooms & Private Tower Tours

Meeting rooms

Meeting rooms are available for independent use or an add-on to a workshop reservation. Each room has presentation capabilities, speakers, and WIFI. Groups are responsible for bringing their own laptops and dongles.

Private Tour of the California Tower

Private tours of the California Tower can be added to workshop reservations. 

• Available as an add-on to existing workshop reservations only. 
• Maximum capacity: 12 people
• Cost: $250, flat rate

Interested in just general admission and a California Tower Tour? Please see the California Tower page on our website for details and individual ticket reservations.

Make a Reservation

Reservations

Please send reservation requests to education@museumofus.org with the following information: 

• Organization name and description
• Date options: 2-3 options
• Desired arrival time
• Group size
• Age of participants: grade level, university, adult, etc.
• Preferred workshop
• Additional requests: room rental, Tower Tour, etc. 

Calendars fill quickly! Please submit a schedule request at least six weeks in advance. A member of the Education Team will process your request and contact you regarding next steps. Processing time can take approximately one week.

Confirmation and Communication

Organizers are responsible for ensuring that contact information is correct, and email settings are adjusted appropriately to receive confirmation details from both Explorable Places and the Museum of Us.

Some reservation details may be finalized via email or phone. An official calendar invitation will be sent when your reservation is confirmed. 

A deposit of 50% of total costs is required to secure workshop reservations.

Cancellations and No-Shows

All cancellations must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance.

Contact education@museumofus.org to report a cancellation or make changes to your reservation as soon as possible. Late cancellations and no-shows will forfeit their deposit, including groups that receive a discounted rate or scholarship.

Late Arrivals

Groups arriving over 20 minutes late are subject to cancellation, reservation adjustments, and/or other changes per the Museum of Us staff's discretion.