From toddlers to adults, the Everson gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy, learn and connect with art through a variety of free docent-led tours. Choose from one of our many thematic tours or take a general tour of the permanent collection or temporary exhibitions. All tours are also available in French or Spanish.

Planning a Tour

• Docent-led tours are available Tuesday – Friday, 10.00am – noon.
• Afternoon and weekend tours are available on a limited basis
• Tours last one hour unless other arrangements are made
• Group size is limited to 50 people
• Larger groups may reserve two consecutive sessions
• Kindly make tour reservations at least two weeks in advance
• If you plan to have students draw or write in the galleries please let us know; please note: only #2 pencils are allowed in galleries
• We ask that students in school tours arrive at the Museum with name tags
• We cannot accommodate unscheduled tours prior to regular Museum hours

To schedule a tour contact Kimberly Griffiths, Education Manager, (315) 474 6064 or kgriffiths@everson.org.

Please have the following information ready when you call to arrange a tour: 

• Date and time preferred
• Group Size
• Contact Person
• Address, phone number, email
• Special requirements (wheelchairs, drawing in galleries, etc)
• Age/grade of school children
• Educational objectives (related curricula or areas of study)

Permanent Collection

The Everson Museum of Art features the works of American artists from the 18th century to the present, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and video. In addition, the Syracuse China Center for the Study of Ceramics provides open-storage galleries for the Everson’s world-renown ceramic collection.

Architecture

The Everson's Architecture Tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at our largest work of art: the museum's renowned building designed by internationally acclaimed architect I.M. Pei. The Everson, commissioned in 1962, was Pei's first museum and launched his career as a museum architect. Over the course of his career, Pei has designed over 35 museums and exhibition spaces throughout the world including the Pyramide du Louvre (Paris, France), National Gallery's East Wing (Washington, DC), the J.F. Kennedy Library (Boston, MA), Sainsbury Wing - National Gallery (London, England) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum (Cleveland, Ohio).

Ceramic Study Center

The Syracuse China Center for the Study of Ceramics is arranged chronologically by culture, and includes examples from the ancient classical world, the Americas, Asia and Europe, as well as American clay sculptures and vessels. An Introduction Center provides a video and catalogue viewing station, activity guide and selected pieces reproduced for hands-on
experience.

Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies tours provide an inquiry-based approach to looking at art. Docents guide visitors through facilitated discussions about selected narrative-based works of art.

Everson docents are available by appointment to make presentations about the Museum’s
collection to classrooms and organizations.