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Ekphrastic

Cuban artist Glexis Novoa shares insights about his work during the gallery tour for CAM's exhibition Climate Change: Cuba/USA. (photo: Anthony Wong Palms)

Tours + Field Trips

As part of CAM's educational mission, we offer a wide range of object-based learning opportunities, including guided tours and field trips, centered around a series of major interdisciplinary exhibitions and the permanent collection. We encourage direct encounters with artwork as a means to understand diverse cultures, concepts, current issues, and materials. We also offer customized class tours, assignment collaboration, and learner-centered facilitated art discussions (VTS) that are valuable to many disciplines. Guided tours and presentations by CAM's educators and curators are available to connect with specific classroom objectives.



Guided Tours

USF Contemporary Art Museum schedules public curator-led gallery tours with each exhibition. Check our events page for upcoming scheduled tours.

Guided tours are available upon request by emailing amyallison@usf.edu at least two weeks in advance. Self-guided groups are also welcome during regular hours. For groups larger than 10, please email or call (813) 974-4133 to reserve gallery time.

Please contact Amy Allison at amyallison@usf.edu for any questions or to schedule a tour.



Curator of Education Leslie Elsasser leads a field study tour of the exhibition Hope Ginsburg: Sponge Exchange (2020).

Field Trips

USF Contemporary Art Museum offers free exhibition tours including field trips for K-12 students and class tours for the USF and Tampa Bay education communities. Please see guidelines for choosing, scheduling and conducting your tour.

Please contact Amy Allison at (813) 974-4164 or amyallison@usf.edu for any questions or to schedule a field study.

Field Trip Guide 

Download a pdf copy of this  field trip guide for everything you need to know before bringing your students to CAM!

The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) offers free exhibition tours for students of all ages. However, some exhibitions may contain mature content and we recommend teachers and group leaders visit the exhibition before bringing their students. Groups can also visit the Collections Vault and Preparator Shop for a behind-the-scenes look at the tools, skills, and staff required to mount exhibitions and care for the University’s permanent art collection. 

Tours can be tailored to specific subject areas, interests, projects, or lesson plans. Please discuss with Amy Allison when scheduling. If students are given a school assignment to be completed during the visit, please discuss with Amy when scheduling or at least five days prior to visiting the museum, so that appropriate accommodations can be made. 

Tour Policies
  • Guided tours are available to school groups Monday – Friday, from 10am – 4pm.
  • Tours must be scheduled at least 3 weeks in advance.
  • The allowance of maximum students is dependent on the exhibition.
  • School groups should arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour.
  • Group leaders should review the Museum Manners with students and chaperones before entering the museum.
  • Bookbags, backpacks, large bags and umbrellas must be checked in at the security desk.
  • Students/chaperones are encouraged to enjoy free time in the museum after each exhibition tour. Museum staff will be available to answer questions.
  • Make a day of it! Bring a lunch to enjoy on the lawn, visit the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery and Centre Gallery. *Tours for the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery and Centre Gallery must be arranged separately.
  • Chaperones are required for all museum student tours. Please see below for guidelines.

Planning Your Visit


Museum Manners
  • Do not touch the art.
  • Be aware of your movements so you don’t accidentally bump into or brush up against the art.
  • Food, beverages, and gum are not permitted inside the galleries.
  • Only pencils and small notepads are allowed in the galleries.
  • Be respectful of other visitors and each other by using quiet voices.
  • Cell phones should be turned to silent.
  • Stay with your group.
  • Still photography is permitted. Flash and tripods are not allowed.
  • Please follow the instructions of security guards. CAM reserves the right to dismiss any group for misconduct.

During Your Visit


Parking

Buses should unload groups in front of CAM. Bus parking is available in the University Mall parking lot, located 2 miles from the museum. Individuals wishing to park at the museum must park in the 3B Lot. Kiosks are available to take credit card payments and located adjacent to the Dance building (FAD).




Accessibility

The University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum (USFCAM) is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities. There are disabled parking spaces outsde of the museum, an accessible entrance, good lighting and accessible restrooms. 

The museum follows the USF guidelines regarding service animals. 

USFCAM faculty and staff are pleased to work with organizations that provide cultural opportunities for visitors with disabilities to tour the Museum. For more accessibility information please call (813) 974-4133 or email amyallison@usf.edu.