School/Class Visits

Opened in 1931, the Addison Gallery was the gift of Phillips Academy alumnus Thomas Cochran, who envisioned a museum that would “enrich permanently” the lives of students and inspire “a love of the beautiful.”

The Addison’s rotating schedule of exhibitions and access to robust collections in the Museum Learning Center ensure curriculum topics as well as broader social themes can be supported multiple times per year. Every museum collaboration is unique, and the Addison’s Education Department works closely with teachers to develop and facilitate customized experiences that support the development of students’ visual literacy and critical thinking skills across disciplines. Active, discussion-based inquiry helps students of all ages find ways to slow down, look closely, and make connections.

All classes must be scheduled in advance, although you do not need to have a fully formed idea to get started. Send the title of the book that you’re reading, theme or time period that you’re exploring, or skill that you’re practicing, and Education staff will plan a visit that uses artwork in the museum to help students reach curricular goals.

All Addison education programs and admission to the museum are offered free of charge.

Classes can be scheduled for Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30am-5:00pm, and generally last 60 – 90 minutes, or one class period.

Due to space and staffing, the Addison can accommodate no more than 50 students or 2 classes at a time.

Visits must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance using the form below or email Angela Parker aparker@andover.edu (Phillips Academy Programs), Christine Jee cjee@andover.edu (PreK-12 Programs and Community + School Partnerships), or Jamie Gibbons jgibbons@andover.edu (College Groups) to start planning. 

All Addison education programs and admission to the museum are offered free of charge.

You are welcome to explore the museum on your own, but all groups must be scheduled in advance using the class visit request form below.

A limited number of free buses can be provided for schools in Lawrence and Lowell thanks to the generosity of several local supporters.

For tours, lectures, and opportunities to engage with artists, check the Addison’s calendar or sign up for the Educator E-news. 

Free customized workshops are available at the museum or at your school or organization.

The educator email list keeps teachers and community educators from off campus up-to-date with the Addison’s exhibitions, curriculum connections, and programs. Sign up here

Phillips Academy faculty will automatically receive email updates from the Education Department each term.

Jamie Kaplowitz Gibbons
Head of Education
General Inquiries & College Groups
jgibbons@andover.edu

Angela Parker
Educator for Academy Engagement
Phillips Academy Programs
aparker@andover.edu

Christine Jee
Education Associate for School and Community Collaborations
PreK-12 Programs, Community & School Partnerships
cjee@andover.edu

Class Visit Request

Contact Name(Required)
(up to 50 students or 2 classes at a time)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
(Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Start Time(Required)
:
(60 - 90 minutes, or one class period)
End Time(Required)
:
If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact Angela Parker (aparker@andover.edu) for Phillips Academy Programs, Christine Jee (cjee@andover.edu) for PreK-12 Programs and Community + School Partnerships, or Jamie Gibbons (jgibbons@andover.edu) for College Groups.
Addison Artist Council logo

Bartlett H. Hayes Prize Recipients

2023:

Reggie Burrows Hodges

Exhibition | Residency | Publication | Acquisition

2025:

Tommy Kha

Exhibition | Residency | Publication | Acquisition