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Community Access

Colleges and Universities

Docent-Led Tours are being reimagined to enhance our guests’ experiences. Please check back for more information about Docent Led Tours in 2024.

Colleges and Universities

Newfields regularly hosts tours for college and university faculty, students and staff. To foster connections with campus communities and to increase engagement with Newfields. People from all majors and backgrounds are invited to explore Newfields' offerings.

Students attending Butler University, CTS, IUPUI, Marian University, Martin University, Ivy Tech (Marion Campus) and University of Indianapolis may receive a free Newfields annual membership. Students may apply at our Guest Services desk and must have a valid campus e-mail address and show proof of enrollment. Prescheduled General Admission tours from these colleges/universities listed above are free and if touring THE LUME it will be $5. For all other colleges/universities not listed, prescheduled student groups will receive a reduced admission of $5 per participant for General Admission and $10 admission to THE LUME per participant . Make sure to schedule at least 3 weeks in advance of your trip. 

Tours

The galleries and grounds of Newfields provide a wealth of opportunities for higher education groups to engage with art and nature. All tours, including self-guided, need to be booked at least three weeks in advance using the online tour form at the bottom of this page.

Self Guided Resources

Tour Request Form
Please fill out this form to request a group tour 3 weeks in advance of field trip. Please be aware that this is only a request form and does not guarantee registration. Newfields staff will contact you within 3 business days to confirm your tour.
Group Information
Address
Contact Information
Preferred Contact Method *
Group Specfics
Date and Time Preferences
:
Self-Guided Tours (Cannot be scheduled before 11 am)
Groups have the option to tour the campus or museum galleries on their own without a personal guide.
Meal Options
Will you need a classroom for meeting before and/or after your visit to the galleries?
Captcha Code

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND...

  • All school tours require three weeks notice.
  • For every 10 students under the age of 13, one adult chaperone is required.
  • Minimum group size for a guided tour is 10 students.
  • School tour hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 am-3 pm; Friday 11 am-3 pm. After school and weekend tours are also available upon special request (3 weeks notice is required).
  • Entry to all special exhibitions is subject to capacity restrictions.
  • Prescheduled Marion County public school field trips are free. Schools participating in Newfields school programs such as Viewfinders, After School, and the Toddler Art Groups (TAG) also have free admission.
  • For private and non-Marion county K-12 public schools, scheduled school groups will receive a reduced admission of $5 per participant (students, teachers, and chaperones).
  • The museum will offset the cost of bus transportation up to $150 per day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check the appropriate box on the online request form.
  • Limited lunch options are available. Groups wishing to eat at the museum can purchase lunch in the Museum's cafe or may bring their own lunches and picnic on the grounds. The Museum has only one indoor lunch room that is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please indicate your lunch preferences above and note that the Museum is not responsible for storing food.
  • All guided tours are conducted by professionally trained volunteer educators (docents) who are specifically assigned to your tour.
  • If students have studied a particular topic before their visit and you would like to carry that topic over into their Newfields visit, please select the most relevant themed tour and note this on the tour request form (above). All attempts will be made to accommodate the request.
  • If students have an assignment to complete while they are at the Museum, please note this on the online tour request form. Assignments must be completed outside of the guided tour (i.e. before or after). It is recommended that groups bring clipboards and pencils for their assignments. Newfields will not provide these materials to school groups completing school assignments.

GUIDELINES

  • Do not touch any of the works of art. This includes walls and pedestals on which art is displayed.
  • Pens and colored pencils are not allowed in the galleries.
  • Food, beverages and gum are not permitted in the galleries.
  • Do not play on the escalators.
  • Are you planning on carrying a backpack, umbrella, shopping bag, or any bag bigger than 11 x 15 x 6 inches? If so, we ask that you store them in a locker during your stay in order to avoid accidentally damaging items in our exhibits. We even supply the quarters. Pick one up and return it to the Guest Services. Lockers are located behind the Guest Services Desk on Floor 1.
  • Photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only. Photographs may not be published, sold, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner.
  • Read our photography policy.
  • Flash photography, tripods, monopods (including selfie sticks), and other photographic equipment are not permitted in the galleries, Lilly House or Miller House.
  • Unless otherwise noted, photography of temporary exhibition or borrowed works of art is not permitted.

PARKING

Coming by School bus?

For Scheduled School Groups - Designated bus parking spots are coned off on the main surface lot of the museum for scheduled school groups. If those spaces are filled, Security personnel will route you to alternate parking. Accommodations can be made for scheduled groups only. Newfields encourages schools to use buses whenever possible to minimize strain on the surface parking lot.

Coming by car?

Parking is available to all visitors free of charge.

Handicap Parking

Free handicap parking is available in the small lot beside the museum entrance closest to 38th Street.

Parking at The Virgina B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park

Free parking for The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park is available off of 38th Street just West of the Indianapolis Museum of Art's primary parking lot. Visitors can also reach the Park by walking from Newfields' main campus.

**Please do not leave valuables in personal vehicles. Newfields is not responsible for any lost or missing items.