Guided School Tours & Workshops for Grades TK-12

The Education Department at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is committed to providing engaging educational programming that explores themes rooted in identity, social justice, community, and civil rights. Through interactive experiences, students gain the opportunity to learn the history, culture, and contributions of Mexican, Mexican Americans, and Latinos in Southern California.

Guidelines:

Priority is given to Title I schools.
We can accommodate a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 50 students.
We require one chaperone for every eight students.
School group reservations are two hours long:
o Visits begin promptly at 10am and end at 12pm.

o This includes a 45-minute guided gallery exploration and a 45-minute art workshop.
Groups must arrive at 9:45am (15 minutes before their scheduled 10am tour time).
There are no fees for qualifying schools.

Since opening to the public in 2011, LA Plaza has strived to provide accessible and equitable opportunities for students across Los Angeles. LA Plaza’s Bus Grant Program is part of inclusive efforts to provide Title I schools, students, and educators access to bus transportation for guided field trips to LA Plaza.

This grant program is named in honor of Gerard R. Lewis, a dedicated passionate champion of education and community service. During his tenure as Director of Facilities, Technology, and Security, Gerard ensured the safety of scores of students visiting LA Plaza. This Bus Grant Program is designed to commemorate Gerard’s legacy.

Bus grant guidelines:

Teachers and non-profit organizations that serve Title I students are invited to apply.
Funding is for buses only and cannot be used for other modes of transportation.
Submitting a Bus Grant Application does not guarantee a grant award.
Grants will be issued in the amount of $750 maximum.
Schools will be responsible for fees incurred beyond $750.

Grades: 4-12

Offered: November – May

Explore the vast history of Los Angeles from the 1800s to the 1930s! Through inquiry and object-based teaching, students explore the city’s origins from the city’s indigenous beginning through the unconstitutional deportation of Mexican and Mexican Americans during the Great Depression. Personal narratives, photographs, and objects encourage students to think critically about the shaping of identity while reflecting on their own personal connections to history.

Art Workshop Component: Students will explore the impact of their voice and its expression through art.

CA State Standards covered: History and Social Science, Visual Arts 

Grades: TK-3

Offered: November – May

Travel back in time with us to 1920s, Main Street, Los Angeles! Through inquiry-based activities and interactive explorations, students explore the presence of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the 1920s, compare the past and present, and share their own family history and stories. Students engage with objects in store-front vignettes: dress up in 1920s fashion in a department store, smell medicinal herbs in a pharmacy, or shop for groceries in Mercado Plaza.

Art Workshop Component: Students will dive deeper into the themes of community and community helpers through an immersive art workshop.

CA State Standards covered: Language Arts, History and Social Science, Visual Arts

Grades: 9-12

Offered: November – May

Travel back in time with us to 1920s Main Street, Los Angeles! Through inquiry-based activities and interactive explorations, students uncover the daily lives, labor, and cultural contributions of Mexicans and Mexican Americans during the 1920s. Hands-on experiences bring history to life, all while discovering the vibrant spirit of resistance and community that helped shape Los Angeles.

Art Workshop Component: Students engage with themes of civic responsibility and community history through an art-making workshop.

CA State Standards covered: Language Arts, History and Social Science, Visual Arts

Grades: TK-12

Offered: October

Celebrate Día de los Muertos through hands-on workshops that honor the traditions, stories, and symbolism of this cultural celebration. Students explore the roots of Día de los Muertos in Indigenous and Mexican heritage and reflect on meaningful symbolism. This experience fosters a deeper understanding of how communities honor their ancestors.

Workshop Components: Students will engage in workshops focused on the symbolism of this cultural tradition.

CA State Standards covered: History and Social Science, Visual Arts

Grades: 3-12

Offered: February – April

NOTE: This tour is offered exclusively in the Spring. Please only apply for this tour if your group is available during that time.

¡Sí, Se Puede! Explore the powerful history and ongoing impact of the United Farm Workers (UFW) Movement. This experience highlights key figures like Dolores Huerta and César Chávez, while emphasizing the fight for fair labor practices and farm worker rights.

Art Workshop Component: Students will engage with themes of social justice and labor rights through an art-making workshop.

CA State Standards covered: History and Social Science, Visual Arts 

Grades: 3-8

Offered: April – May

NOTE: This tour is offered exclusively in the Spring. Please only apply for this tour if your group is available during that time.

Did you know the modern tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo started with Latinos in California in 1862? Learn about the historical context of this celebration and how it is rooted in community activism. Through inquiry and object-based teaching students will make connections to the past and present.

Art Workshop Component: Students will participate in an immersive art workshop that connects to the history and art of Puebla, Mexico, and historical figures.

CA State Standards covered: History and Social Science, Visual Arts 

Grades: 6-12

Offered: January – May

NOTE: This tour is offered exclusively in the Spring. Please only apply for this tour if your group is available during that time.

A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound is a multi-media exhibition that explores the dynamic musical influences of East Los Angeles artists who developed an eclectic musical identity and history. Against all odds, East L.A. artists created a rich musical tradition that became well known all over the world in the twentieth century and into the present.

Workshop Component: Students will dive into a music exploration.

CA State Standards covered: History and Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts

Guided School Tours & Workshops (TK-12 Grade)

Guidelines:

Gerard R. Lewis Memorial Bus Grant Program

Bus grant guidelines:

Submit a Reservation Request & Bus Grant Application

Tour Options