Student Programs: Sign-up

The National Portrait Gallery will begin taking reservations for student programs on August 1 of each year for the upcoming academic year. Reservation requests require at least one month’s advance notice. For more information, please see our school programs guidelines. 

How to Reserve a Student Program at the National Portrait Gallery
1. Select your program by reading through the program descriptions. Be sure that the selected program matches students’ grade level.
2. Complete the registration form below. To register for more than one program, fill out an additional form for each program.
3. Look for confirmation. You will receive an e-mail confirmation within two weeks of submitting your request.
4. Two weeks before your scheduled program, you will be asked to provide the total number of students and chaperones.

Please be advised that submitting a registration form is only a request. Written confirmation (via e-mail) from the Portrait Gallery constitutes a booking guarantee.

Student Programs Sign-up Form

First and last name
The best number to reach you on the day of the program.
The minimum number we will accommodate for all student programs is 10 students. For VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, the maximum number we will accommodate is 50 students connecting remotely or one classroom- in school connection. If you would like more than the maximum to participate, we will work with you to schedule multiple dates for your virtual visits. For IN-PERSON PROGRAMS, the maximum number we can accommodate in a visit is 60 students. If you would like more than the maximum to attend, we will work with you to schedule additional dates for your in-person visits.
If you are interested in specific portraits or a custom program please choose "Custom Program" or "Custom Portrait Detectives." A box will appear where you can note the portraits you are interested in seeing.
Scheduling - First Choice
Fill in your preferred date(s) and time(s). ALL IN-PERSON PROGRAMS are offered Monday-Friday, October 1, 2024, through May 23, 2025. In-person programs are held at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 12:45 pm (EST). ALL VIRTUAL PROGRAMS are offered Monday–Friday, October 1, 2024, through May 23, 2025. Virtual programs can be scheduled between 11:00 am (EST) and 4:00 pm (EST).
Second Choice
Third Choice
We are occasionally able to accommodate programs with later start times if you have special circumstances. If you need to request an alternate start time, enter it here.
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All virtual student programs will use Zoom platform. If alternative platform is needed, please indicate.
Please answer as completely as possible. Gallery Educators strive to provide the most useful and engaging program for all students, and your answers inform this effort.
We strive to accommodate and engage all of our student visitors. Please let us know if any students in your group have any physical, emotional, linguistic and/or academic special needs. Please be as specific as possible. Let us know if you have suggestions for how our Gallery Educators can best accommodate these students.
Adult chaperones are required for all student programs. For VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, minimum of one chaperone must remain online for the duration of the program. Failure to provide a chaperone for the whole session may result in the cancellation of a program. For IN-PERSON PROGRAMS, chaperones must remain with groups for the duration of the program. Failure to provide an adequate number of chaperones may result in the cancellation of a program. The ratio of adults to students is as follows: Grades K–3: one adult per 5 students | Grades 4–6: one adult per 10 students | Grades 7–12: one adult per 15 students
In order for the Smithsonian to provide this experience to your students, we need your verification that you have the necessary permission from your students’ parents or legal guardians for your students to participate in the activity. This includes: 1.) Use of technology platforms, e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams for live video and audio interaction and chat feature. 2.) Students will be viewing artwork/portraits and discussing them through the chat feature or live video and audio. 3.) Optional survey will be emailed to the contact teacher after the program. The Smithsonian cannot confirm your participation for your students without this verification.