School Programs
COVID Protocols: School Groups are required to wear masks while indoors. Since all bathrooms are indoors, please be sure to come prepared.
School Groups
PLEASE NOTE: We will begin booking Spring trips in January 2022.
Engage students in art, history, and botanical gardens with a field trip to Cheekwood. Cheekwood offers free admission to all school groups from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Students in grades pre-k-12 can enjoy a self-guided experience through the gardens.
- Field Trips are available Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM.
- All field trips are self-guided through the gardens only.
- The minimum group size for scheduling field trips is 15. Groups smaller than 15 must pay regular admission prices.
- The maximum group size for scheduling field trips is 100. This includes students, teachers, and chaperones.
- Students and teachers are admitted free of charge. Adult chaperones (non-school employees) are required to pay the group rate of $16/person.
- Advanced registration is required due to timed ticketing for all visitors. Groups will be required to pick a specific date and time.
- Date and time requests must be at least two weeks in advance.
- Field trips are rain or shine. Groups may cancel their trip with at least 24 hours advance notice, but we cannot guarantee the group can be rescheduled.
Contact schools@cheekwood.org if you have any questions.
Homeschool Groups
Engage students in art, history, and botanical gardens with a field trip to Cheekwood. Cheekwood offers free admission to all school groups from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Students in grades pre-k-12 can enjoy a self-guided experience through the gardens.
- Field Trips are available Tuesday – Friday, afternoons only, from 1 PM – 5 PM.
- All field trips are self-guided through the gardens only.
- The minimum group size for scheduling field trips is 15. Groups smaller than 15 must pay regular admission prices.
- The maximum group size for scheduling field trips is 100. This count includes children under 2, students, teachers, and chaperones.
- Students and one adult per family will be admitted free of charge. Additional adults will pay the chaperone fee of $16/person.
- Advanced registration is required due to timed ticketing for all visitors. Groups will be required to pick a specific date and time.
- Date and time requests must be at least two weeks in advance.
- Field trips are rain or shine. Groups may cancel their trip with at least 24 hours advance notice, but we cannot guarantee the group can be rescheduled.
Contact schools@cheekwood.org if you have any questions.
Girl Scout Group Tours
Engage Girl Scouts in art, history, and horticulture with a trip to Cheekwood. Scouts can enjoy a self-guided experience through the gardens while working to meet the requirements to earn a Girl Scout Badge. Please note that Cheekwood does not supply the badges.
- Scout trips are available Tuesday – Sunday, 9 AM – 5 PM. *During the months of March, April, September, and October, Scout trips are only available Tuesday-Friday.
- All Scout trips are self-guided through the gardens only. You will be provided a map and self-guided activities to complete or work towards your badge. Badge options are listed below.
- The maximum group size for scheduling scout trips is 50. This includes scouts, troop leaders, and chaperones.
- Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free of charge. Adult chaperones are required to pay the group rate of $16/person.
- Advanced registration is required due to timed ticketing for all visitors.
- Groups will be required to pick a specific date and time. All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance.
- Field trips are run rain or shine.
Badge Options
Daisies
Shapes in Nature Badge: Walk around Cheekwood’s gardens and look carefully to discover the many shapes and patterns found in nature! *Offered in Spring, Summer, & Fall
Brownies
Senses Badge: Use your senses to explore three unique gardens at Cheekwood! *Offered in Spring, Summer, & Fall
Junior
Outdoor Art Badge: Walk through Cheekwood’s Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail and learn about art that interacts with nature! *Offered year-round
Once you’re ready to book your trip and have selected a date and time, please complete the form below. If you have any questions or want to find out more information about the activities associated with each badge, please email schools@cheekwood.org and include “Scout Trip” in the email subject line.
Art Outreach *Temporarily suspended - Anticipated relaunch in the Spring of 2022
Grades: 3 – 5
Cost: FREE!
Capacity: Up to 120 students
Art Outreach brings Cheekwood-inspired, hands-on art and science lessons to your school. During Art Outreach, students will explore landscape architecture by learning about Cheekwood’s history and dive into Cheekwood’s permanent art collection by critically examining selected pieces. Additional stations focus on temporary art and seasonal garden exhibitions. After rotating through these Cheekwood teacher-led stations, students bring home their masterpieces at the end of the day. During the 2018-19 school year, 100% of teachers that participated in this program said that Art Outreach satisfied or exceeded their expectations and that they would recommend it to their colleagues.
Destination Cheekwood
Grades: K-8 students and their families
Cost: FREE!
Capacity: Up to 120 people
Destination Cheekwood brings families to Cheekwood on a Saturday for a visit filled with art, garden, and historical experiences and activities. Transportation, admission, activities, and lunch are provided, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the best of Cheekwood’s seasonal festivals.
Education & Outreach Programs supported by
M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation
Funds raised through Cheekwood’s annual Family Benefit Event
The Middle Tennessee Scholastic Art Awards
The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a national nonprofit organization, was established in 1994 to provide guidance and support for the next generation. The Alliance fosters the creative development of youth across the country through The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the most prestigious recognition initiative for creative teens, and the largest source of scholarships for young artists. Alumni of the Scholastic Art Awards include artists Andy Warhol, Philip Pearlstein, Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Kay WalkingStick, Mozelle Thompson, Hughie Lee-Smith, and John Baldessari.
For the 31st year, Cheekwood is proud to present the The Middle Tennessee Scholastic Art Awards. This year, Middle Tennessee students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit works to be considered for recognition by December 16, 2021. The exhibition displays the Gold Key and Silver Key award recipient pieces, honoring the artistic talent and innovation of area students. For more information, visit the Scholastic Affiliate page here.
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