We all know the struggle: you want to give your students rich, engaging experiences, but budget constraints, transportation hassles (especially for those long distances to museums!), and time limitations can make traditional field trips a real challenge.

That’s why the Norman Rockwell Museum’s “Imagining Freedom” Virtual Field Trip is a great option to bring a world-class museum experience directly to your class.  

What’s a Virtual Field Trip? 

If you’re new to the concept, virtual field trips are like bringing the museum to your students. They’re immersive, online experiences that use technology to let students explore locations and exhibits without ever leaving their seats. 

• Accessibility: No more worrying about bus costs or accessibility issues. Every student gets a front-row seat.  
• Flexibility: Fit it into your schedule! Use it for a single class period or spread it out over multiple days. The program is designed to be accessible to classrooms across the country.  
• Engagement: Interactive galleries and compelling visuals keep students hooked. The “Imagining Freedom” virtual exhibition itself offers an immersive, interactive journey through ten galleries with more than 250 works of art and over six hours of dynamic content.  
• Expanded Horizons: Explore places you might never be able to visit in person, especially if your school is far from the museum’s location in Stockbridge, MA.  
• Budget-Friendly: This one’s FREE for educators, thanks to the generosity of dedicated funders.  

The Norman Rockwell Museum’s “Imagining Freedom” Virtual Field Trip: What’s Inside?

This isn’t just a slideshow; it’s a full-blown interactive experience designed for K-12 classrooms. Developed in collaboration with educators and advisors from diverse regions, this program aims to bring the Norman Rockwell Museum to a national audience.

Here’s what you get:  

• 24/7 Access to the “Imagining Freedom” Virtual Exhibition: Students explore Rockwell’s powerful works, focusing on democracy, human rights, and civic engagement. Highlights include Rockwell’s Four Freedoms and his iconic Civil Rights images, as well as contemporary artists’ visual interpretations of the meaning of freedom today. Students can zoom in on individual artworks, explore detailed background information, listen to audio recordings in seven languages, and browse related sketches, photographs, research materials, and media.  
• Thematic Lesson Plans Aligned with National Education Standards: Ready-to-use PDFs assist teachers in seamlessly integrating art into their curricula, encouraging connections to contemporary issues and fostering discussions around themes such as Civil Rights, social justice, narrative and storytelling, and the artist’s process. 
• Flexibility: User-friendly navigation allows educators to choose pathways tailored to specific grade levels and subjects, ensuring a focused and enriching educational experience. Modular lessons let you pick and choose what fits your curriculum and time.  
• Multi-Device Compatibility: Works on computers, mobile devices, and smartboards.  
• Subjects Covered: History/Social Studies, Civics, Visual Arts, and English Language Arts/Humanities.  
• Theme: Narrative & Storytelling.  
• Interactive Activities: The program incorporates inquiry-based learning, discussion prompts, and engaging activities that encourage students to connect personally with the artworks, enhancing their understanding and relevance of select themes in their own lives.  

Why Take This Field Trip?

How to Get Started (It’s Easy!)

• Apply for Free Access: Fill out the form on the Norman Rockwell Museum’s website. 
• Get Your Unique Link: You’ll receive an access link, typically within two business days.  
• Dive In! Use the virtual field trip anytime, as often as you like, throughout the school year.  

The Museum also plans to expand the VFT program offerings with ongoing development of lessons on topics such as critical media consumption, civics, satire, and the life and work of Norman Rockwell and other important American illustrators, so keep an eye out for more!