K-12 School Gallery Tours
K-12 School Gallery Tours
School Gallery Tours invite students to observe, discuss, and explore various Japanese art forms and their rich historical backgrounds through seasonal exhibitions led by experienced museum educators and teaching artists.
Available Programming
Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries
Through January 11, 2026
ONSITE TOUR | 60 MINUTES
VIRTUAL TOUR | 45 MINUTES
Guided by museum educators, K-12 students will explore the works of Germany-based Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota and engage with her site-specific installation that questions themes of identity, memory, and the idea of belonging to “two home countries.” Her works also commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II by incorporating wartime experiences through letters and diary entries by fallen Japanese soldiers to construct immersive, three-dimensional installations that give shape to time, memory, and the human experience. Through close looking and discussions of selected artworks, students will reflect on their personal stories through art.
Shikō Munakata: A Way of Seeing
VIRTUAL TOUR | 45 MINUTES
Shikō Munakata (1903-1975) is a 20th century Japanese artist primarily known for his powerfully expressive woodblock prints. Borrowing from Japan Society’s permanent collection, virtual school tours introduce selected works of Munakata prints. Students explore bold print works inspired by Japanese folk tales, Buddhism, and nature motifs through close looking, discussion and developing meanings and activities. This interactive tour will be available year-round via video conferencing.
Registration and Pricing Information
Japan Society’s gallery tour offers an interactive art experience led by trained museum educators, who incorporate close-looking, personal connections, inquiry, and related activities for K-12 students. Maximum group size at one time is 30 students for both Virtual and On-site Gallery Tours, with a requirement of 2 chaperones for On-site Gallery Tour. Groups of more than 15 students will be divided into smaller groups for on-site tours.
We request each reservation to be made at least two weeks in advance of your desired date. A one-week notice for any cancellations or changes is required to avoid fees barring extreme weather or case-by-case emergencies.
For more details or to make a reservation, please contact us at [email protected] or (212) 715-1254.
* Thanks to our generous funders and supporters, we are excited to offer free tours and workshops for NYC Title 1 schools!
Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage early booking to secure your spot.
Please contact us at [email protected] for reservations and for more information.
Top Image: © Ayumi Sakamoto.
Sketch for KINKAKUJI by Chiharu Shiota. © ARS, New York, 2025 and the artist
Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).
Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Education and Family Programs are generously supported by an anonymous donor; ORIX Corporation USA; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; an anonymous donor; and other Family and Education supporters.
Japan Society School Partnerships, K-12 Manga Workshops and K-12 Gallery Tour & Workshops are made possible by a generous grant from MetLife Foundation and supported by the SMBC Global Foundation, United States-Japan Foundation and MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Additional support is provided by Wegmans Astor Place.
