Many people remember being guided through a museum's galleries by a docent during an elementary or middle school class field trip. But when was the last time you participated in a group tour? Did you know that you can discover (or rediscover) the Museum's masterpieces during a FREE, guided, docent-led experience?

The Birmingham Museum of Art engages approximately 17,000 visitors a year through FREE docent-led tours. That number includes children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. FREE tours for adults emphasize close looking, idea sharing, and conversation geared to adult visitors.

To all adults who seek an enjoyable, mind-expanding outing for clubs, business groups or other organizations, look no further. Create new memories at the Museum. With the click of your mouse or a phone call, schedule your FREE docent-led tour of the Birmingham Museum of Art today!

TEACHERS: For information on tours for students, please visit our Teachers section.

Here are the FREE tours we offer for adults:

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Click to see which special exhibitions we have on view now, and which special exhibitions are upcoming!

Please note that some special exhibitions are ticketed. There is no additional cost for docent-led tours above the price of admission.

Discovering the BMA

The Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the finest regional museums in the United States, houses a diverse collection of more than 25,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The collection presents a rich panorama of cultures, featuring extensive holdings of Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art.

Whether your group is looking to discover some of our “greatest hits” or to explore more in-depth topics related to our collections–sample topics include ceramics, mythology, portraiture, the Renaissance, and many more!–we can customize a tour for you.

AMERICA THEN AND NOW

From landscapes to portraits to punch bowls, art that speaks of the history, settlement, and spirit of our nation.

BLACK HISTORY 365

The work of black artists is on view year round—especially in our African, African-American, and contemporary galleries. (available through August 2013)

EUROPEAN MASTERPIECES: THE GRAND TOUR

Discover what rich young travellers of the 18th and 19th centuries saw and collected on their Grand Tour of continental Europe.

ImaginAsia

Explore 3000 years of Asian art and culture through ceramics, sculpture, painting and other artworks from China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Follow the Moccasin Path: THE NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

See the art of Native American cultures of the Eastern Woodlands, Plains, Northwest Coast, and Southwest, and learn what it says about their customs, values, and beliefs.

Slow Art Experiences

Slow food, slow living, slow... art? Unlock the secrets of an artwork in the Museum's collection by cultivating the art of looking slowly. Our docents ask and answer questions to help guide your Slow Art Experience and to foster conversation. Leave the Museum feeling inspired—not tired!

Visually Impaired Program

In this program for adults with visual impairments, specially trained docents present the permanent collection by means of verbal descriptions, three-dimensional tactile models based on original works of art, and sculpture. The experience may be enhanced by related music and/or art-making to provide multi-sensory access to the visual arts. Click here for more information.

To schedule a FREE docent-led tour, please click here to book online, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 205.254.2964. All docent-led tours must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.