Educational Programs

The Museum's educational programs encourage visitors to explore the variety and wonder of the textile arts, and to learn more about how textiles are made and why they are important. Exhibition-related programming is designed to enhance and expand upon the exhibition themes. All exhibitions feature school tours, and programs are offered for educators throughout the year.

All programs are listed on The Textile Museum's current calendar of events.

Families & Children

Adults

Adult programs include tours, lectures, workshops, films, and year-round Saturday Rug & Textile Appreciation Mornings. Click the links below for more information on ongoing programs and visit the calendar page for specific listings.

Regular Programs:

• Rug & Textile Appreciation Mornings
• Ask-a-Curator, Ask-a-Conservator
• Highlights Tours
• Guided Exhibition Tours

Rug & Textile Appreciation Mornings
In Memory of Harold Keshishian
All are welcome to expand their knowledge of the textile arts and meet fellow textile admirers at our ongoing Rug & Textile Appreciation Mornings, held Saturdays each month at 10:30 a.m. and recently renamed in honor of late Textile Museum trustee emeritus, Harold M. Keshishian. Speakers include local collectors and experts who share pieces from their own holdings. Visitors are invited to bring in clean, well-vacuumed examples of featured types from their own collections to share with the group. Seating is limited, so please arrive early. Free; no reservations required.See the calendar page for descriptions of upcoming programs.

Ask-a-Curator, Ask-a-Conservator
This ongoing program, held the first Wednesday of every month (September through May) from 10:30 am to 1 pm, gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about their own textiles from Textile Museum curatorial and conservation staff. While Museum curators specialize in the textile arts of non-Western cultures, the conservation staff can answer questions about caring for textiles produced worldwide. Fee: free/members; $5/non-nembers. No reservations are required.

Highlights Tours
Drop-in tours that feature an overview of the Museum and highlights from current exhibitions are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm. No reservations are required.

Guided Exhibition Tours
Group tours of current exhibitions may be scheduled for the following days and times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:15 am to 3:00 pm; Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Please reserve the tour at least four weeks in advance of the preferred date.

To request a guided exhibition tour for adults using our Online Tour Request Form, click here.

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Students & Educators

School tours at The Textile Museum are an excellent way for students to personally engage with art, history, social studies, and more. The museum offers a variety of programs for students in grades 1–12, including thematic tours which complement current exhibitions and include touchable items and/or hands-on activities.

Docent-guided tours for groups of 6 to 40 may be scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday starting at 10:15 am and Thursday starting at 1:30 pm.

Click here for 2012-2013 school tour details [PDF]

To request a tour for a school group using our Online School Tours Request Form, click here. Tours can also be scheduled by calling (202) 667-0441, ext 65. Requests should be made a minimum of four weeks in advance of your preferred date. Please choose one tour per visit.

Girl Scouts of America
The Textile Museum offers Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts a chance to earn points toward the Art to Wear, Colors and Shapes and Art Around the World Try-its, or the Yarn and Fabric Arts badge. For more details, click here.

Annual Museum-School Partnership Opportunity
The Textile Museum invites all classes in District of Columbia Public and Charter Schools to apply for participation in a unique Museum-School Partnership project tied to Out of Southeast Asia: Art that Sustains (April 12 through October 13, 2013). For details and to submit an application, click here. Applications are due by COB February 8, 2013.

Workshops, open house evenings, and support materials are offered in connection with some exhibitions. The Textile Museum is a partner in the Arts for Every Student Program with the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative and D.C. Public Schools. Send us your mailing address to be added to the Museum's Educator E-Mail List.

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