K to Grade 12 Group Visits
Turn MOCA into your classroom.
Education and community groups are invited to engage with artwork across all contemporary art forms, debating and sharing ideas along the way! Join us for a guided tour, self-guided visit, or participate in one of our studio activities.
Guided Visits
On a guided tour, students will have an opportunity to:
Develop critical thinking skills while discussing, exploring, and interpreting artworks by local and international contemporary artists
Gain insight into MOCA’s unique approach to curating temporary, site-specific contemporary art exhibitions
Learn about MOCA’s adaptive reuse of a landmark heritage building and explore the culturally rich Junction Triangle neighbourhood
Explore materials, methods and unique approaches to art-making by living artists
Consider new perspectives and contemporary issues that are relevant and urgent today
Connect on a personal level with the topics presented in our exhibitions
Guided Tour
Guided Tours offer students of all ages a closer look at contemporary art through an interactive exploration of MOCA’s current exhibitions. Led by one of our Art Educators, they last approximately 45 minutes and are designed to foster discussion and exchange. Maximum 60 people. Currently offered Wednesdays through Fridays.
Chaperones: 1 per 10 students required. Required chaperones are free; additional chaperones pay general admission.
Guided Tour + Studio Activity
Studio Activities offer students of all ages a tailored, hands-on activity to deepen their understanding of the exhibitions’ themes. Led by our Art Educators, they run for approximately 2 hours, consisting of a 45-minute tour followed by an hour of art-making. Maximum 30 people. Currently offered Wednesdays through Fridays.
Chaperones: 1 per 10 students required. Required chaperones are free; additional chaperones pay general admission.
Studio Activity | Contemporary Windows | All Ages
Contemporary Windows introduces students to thinking about contemporary art by considering Ghazaleh Avarzamani’s Mashrabiya. The screen shapes the experience of looking out while obscuring the view in. Participants are invited to create their own landscape drawing, then design their own window screen to frame it. Through close observation, conversation, and this hands-on activity, students will explore shape, colour, and light as well as new ways of thinking and talking about contemporary art.
Seasonal Studio Activity | Hanging Sculptures | Recommended for Grades 1-8
Inspired by Delcy Morelos’s web-like installation, explore using three dimensions, transforming pipe cleaners, beads and other art supplies into dynamic hanging sculptures. Twist, weave, shape this malleable medium into unique explorations of form, while discussing contemporary art as a group.
Seasonal Studio Activity | Pastel Pointillism | Recommended for Grades 6-12+
Draw from Bharti Kher create art through small dots of pigment. Inspired by Kher’s use of the bindi in her art – a coloured dot or a sticker worn on the centre of the forehead – as her medium for colourful and abstract artworks. In this activity, you’ll use the technique of pointillism to create your own artwork using oil pastels to create a series of dots to create shape and form.
Self-Guided Visit
Self-guided visits allow groups to explore the museum at your own pace for only the price of admission. In addition, MOCA staff stationed throughout the Museum will be available to answer any questions visitors may have along the way.
Chaperones: 1 per 10 students required. General admission rates apply to chaperones.
FAQ
Advance Booking Notice
We recommend booking guided visits 3–4 weeks in advance to help us plan staffing onsite.
Self-guided visits require at least 3 business days notice.
For last-minute bookings, contact the Learning Coordinator at learning@moca.ca to check availability.
Scheduling Your Visit
MOCA is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday.
Self-guided visits may be scheduled during our hours of operation.
Guided tours are offered Wednesday through Fridays.
Private Guided Tours can be scheduled outside of regular hours of operation.
Payment
Payments are processed in advance via credit card online or over the phone. TDSB schools may pay via payment order. We are unable to split transactions or allow participants to pay individually.
Membership and other individual ticket types do not apply to group admission.
Refund Policy
All ticket and tour sales are final. Credits and refunds will not be issued for overpayments or cancellations.
MOCA does not offer refunds or exchanges for any purchases.
If MOCA cancels or closes, alternatives may be offered at MOCA’s discretion.
Pricing and Community Access Programme
The listed costs for tours and entrance to the Museum aim to provide affordable options for visiting schools. MOCA is a non-profit organisation. Our Minimum Payment Policy ensures that we are able to cover our staffing and material costs.
If your school or educational organization faces challenges regarding these fees, or accessing arts curriculum in general, please apply to our Community Access Programme when filling out our booking form.
MOCA Learning is committing to providing equitable access to our educational programmes. Our Community Access Programme offers reduced cost or free visits to MOCA for organizations and groups which may otherwise face financial barriers. Schools with students facing financial difficulties may be eligible for reduced fees, while charitable educational organisations may qualify for free programming and admission.
As a charity, MOCA relies on the generosity of our members and donors to deliver exceptional and accessible contemporary arts programming. Your support will have a meaningful impact on our work with artists and our ability to serve our audiences. We are grateful for every donation.
Is MOCA a TDSB Vendor?
Yes! MOCA is now on the Toronto District School Board’s excursions list and is an approved vendor. You may pay for your field trip via Payment Order. MOCA’s vendor number will be provided to you upon booking your visit.
Arriving at MOCA
If travelling by bus
Buses can pull up in front of the Museum on Sterling Road for drop off and pick up only. No motorcoach parking is available onsite, please arrange independently.
Note: Despite ongoing construction on Sterling Road, the Museum remains open for buses to drop off and pick up students. For more information on current construction, check our visit page or reach out to learning@moca.ca.
If travelling by public transit
MOCA is a 10- to 15-minute walk from both Lansdowne and Dundas West stations on the TTC’s Bloor subway line as well as the UP Express Bloor GO Station. Please note: Dundas West is an accessible station, while Lansdowne is not.
The closest streetcar stop is at the corner of Dundas St. West and Sterling Road, which can be reached by both the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcars. We are a 5-minute walk north on Sterling Road from the streetcar stop.
Upon arrival, enter the Museum through the main front doors on Sterling Road. Teachers and/or chaperones may proceed to the Welcome Desk to check in and purchase or print their group tickets. Payments shall be made before your tour begins, if not purchased in advance.
Staff will greet you, provide your group with an introduction to MOCA, and walk you through some housekeeping notes (coat racks, cubbies, nearest bathrooms, gallery guidelines, etc.). If you have booked a guided visit, the Learning Coordinator or an Art Educator will ask your group to gather on the Ground Floor to begin the visit.
Supervision
Teachers and/or chaperones are responsible for their students during the entire visit. We recommend a supervisor-to-student ratio of 1:10. Supervisors must ensure that their students are mindful of both artwork and fellow visitors, keeping noise levels low wherever possible and refraining from touching any art.
Please establish behavioural expectations and the day’s schedule with your class before arriving at MOCA.
Lunch
MOCA does not currently have a dedicated lunch space for school groups and does not have water fountains available, so please make sure to plan accordingly. In general, food and drink are not permitted in the Museum, however, a sealed water bottle may be used on the Ground Floor. Weather permitting, we have an outdoor space that can be used for packed lunches.
If you would like to purchase food following your visit, MOCA’s cafe partner Forno Cultura is located on the Ground Floor and offers light fare such as sandwiches, sweets, coffee, and a range of beverages. For more information visit their website here.
Visitor Courtesy
Be mindful of other visitors while leading your group through the museum. Take care not to block pathways or entrances.
Do not touch the artwork. Keep a safe distance to help protect the work on view.
MOCA is dedicated to providing a safe and respectful environment for all visitors, staff, and community members. Discrimination, harassment, and violence are not tolerated.
More Questions?
Please contact us at learning@moca.ca
School Tour, MOCA Toronto, 2019.