Below is a press release from the Tampa Museum of Art.

TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2026) – The Tampa Museum of Art is expanding its education program with new tours for Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) built around the third-grade curriculum. The tours give young students a hands-on way to connect what they learn in the classroom with works of art. Developed with local educators and aligned with Florida's academic standards, the tours explore topics such as world cultures, elements of art and principles of design, storytelling, and English/Language Arts Vocabulary through the Museum’s collection.

"Third grade is a pivotal year, when students begin connecting ideas across subjects and discovering how they see the world," said Tom Hochhausler, the Penny and Jeff Vinik Interim Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art. "By aligning our tours with what teachers are already teaching, we're making the museum a true extension of the classroom.”  

During each visit, students will explore all museum galleries, where they will participate in critical thinking conversations about four works of art from across the ancient and modern and contemporary collections. For one of the critical thinking conversations, docents lead students through See/Think/Wonder, an artful thinking routine that is utilized in all HCPS elementary art classes. To further connect with classroom learning, teachers are offered a lesson plan that aligns with Florida State Standards for Visual Art and English Language Arts, and teachers are given the opportunity to share learning objectives.

"We worked side by side with elementary art teachers and third-grade teachers to understand how to best engage with their students and what they are learning throughout the year, then built our tours utilizing teacher insight," said Danette Albino, Manager for K12 Learning and Access of the Tampa Museum of Art. “Combining our experience with teacher expertise results in a seamless experience that ties each student's time at the Museum directly to their work in the classroom.”

The program is funded in part by the Hillsborough County school referendum approved by voters in November 2024. The referendum provides additional funding for public schools, with a portion set aside for educational field trips like these, which help students build critical thinking skills and reinforce classroom learning. During the 2026-27 school year, the Museum expects to welcome approximately 11,000 students through the program, with capacity to welcome up to 15,000.

 “This is exactly what our community’s investment in our students was intended to do,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Through the millage, we are able to cover admission for students to visit cultural and educational institutions like the Tampa Museum of Art, giving them opportunities to experience learning beyond the classroom and connect what they are learning in school to the incredible resources available right here in our community.”

The expanded tours are also made possible by the Museum's recent renovations supported by generous donors, which added a new education center and redesigned galleries with room for additional exhibitions. Completed in 2022, the education center offers more than 8,000 square feet of dedicated space for studio art classes, early childhood learning, school tours, and programs for all ages and abilities. Named in honor of a $5 million gift from Penny and Jeff Vinik, it includes a large education lobby designed to welcome two to three busloads of students at once.

The Museum is currently in the midst of its Centennial Campaign, a comprehensive construction and endowment effort funding an ambitious expansion that will add more than 51,000 square feet of new space along the Tampa Riverwalk. The campaign is anchored by a $28 million lead gift from Dick Corbett, a Tampa real estate developer and philanthropist who has been a Museum patron for decades. His lead gift is the single largest private donation ever made to a public art museum in Florida.

The expansion will transform the Museum into a vibrant hub of art and culture along the Tampa Riverwalk. To date, more than $100 million in support has been provided by individuals, families, and corporations, as well as the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the State of Florida.

About the Tampa Museum of Art 

Established in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art stands as a beacon of culture and education in the heart of downtown Tampa. Celebrating over a century of artistic excellence, the Museum offers a rich tapestry of experiences, ranging from ancient treasures to contemporary expressions. It proudly houses an extensive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, one of the largest in the southeastern United States, and a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art encompassing sculpture, photography, painting, and new media. 

The Museum's commitment to education and community engagement shines through its Vinik Family Education Center. This facility provides a variety of year-round art classes, insightful lectures, and engaging tours for all ages, fostering artistic discovery and learning. Through innovative outreach programs, the Museum extends its reach, offering art-therapy-informed initiatives and creative platforms for diverse community segments. 

As a cornerstone of Tampa's cultural landscape, the Tampa Museum of Art is dedicated to enriching lives and celebrating the city's vibrant diversity. Following a significant renovation completed in 2023, the Museum continues to evolve, embarking on a major expansion to enhance its exhibition spaces and educational facilities. This initiative is set to further its mission of providing immersive, hands-on experiences for visitors and expanding its role as a pivotal cultural hub. 

General Hours and Information  

For tickets and information, visit TampaMuseum.org or call (813) 274-8130. Located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602, the Tampa Museum of Art is open seven days a week, Monday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

###