LOOKING TO SEE TOURS
THE LOOKING TO SEE program began in October 2010 to provide a structured guided tour program and educational outreach to the general public with a focus on the Charleston area's K-12 students, after-school programs, and youth. The Halsey is dedicated to increasing accessibility and community engagement, especially for youth and K-12 students. The program is open to all schools, clubs, and other interested organizations. In addition to the tours being free, bus parking has been arranged with the Charleston Museum at no charge. Travel subsidies to help defray the cost of a field trip to the Halsey Institute are available to schools/groups that demonstrate an economic or geographic disadvantage. More than 5,300 people have explored the Halsey Institute’s exhibitions with Looking to See tour guides since the program began!
These free guided tours are led by knowledgeable and experienced guides and can be adapted to different time lengths, group sizes, and ages. Lessons within the galleries can be easily customized to follow specific classroom course objectives as the Looking to See tour guides are well versed in exhibition content and eager to collaborate with educators. The exhibitions are rich opportunities for analyzing art, creative thinking development, and gaining new knowledge about world cultures. Tour guides use open dialogue as a memorable way to experience contemporary works of art. They support group conversations about the objects in the exhibition and the ideas and themes the works introduce. Your students will be encouraged to share their thoughts in an atmosphere that challenges them to make connections between the art, outside references, and their own experiences. They will learn from the tour guide, but they will also learn from each other.
The Looking to See program would not be possible without the talent, enthusiasm, and dedication of the Looking to See tour guides. Thank you Sandra Brett, Judy Beery, Beverly Campbell, Dave English, Anne Janas, Maya McGauley, School of the Arts Dean Valerie Morris, Ruth Rambo, Delores Rosebrock, Mindy Seltzer, Linnie Trettin, Karen Thompson, and Jan Welborn!
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
LOOKING TO SEE guided tours are available to any interested area school or organization. They are free of charge to all participants and led by trained, well-informed volunteers. Hands-on activities are available upon request. Click here to download a PDF of the available activities. To book a tour, or if you would like to volunteer as a tour guide, contact Maya McGauley by email or call 843-953-5957.
NOW HEAR THIS! audio tours are available for some of our exhibitions. The QR code-based audio tours are available to every gallery visitor free of charge. QR codes are placed throughout the exhibition. Simply scan the QR code with a QR code reading app to hear insights from the curator and more information on the artist and their work. No smart device? No problem! The Halsey Institute has iPods available for check out at the attendant’s desk.
ARTIST LECTURES accompany each exhibition the Halsey Institute originates. When possible, the lectures may take place within the exhibition in the form of a gallery walk-through with the artist and curator. All artist lectures are advertised on the Halsey Institute’s website, season calendar, the exhibition brochure, and Facebook. Sign up for our mailing list to keep up on all of the Halsey Institute’s happenings!
FILM SCREENINGS are always open to the public! Each year, the Halsey shows independent films, and the subject matter of the films varies greatly, but the filmmaker is always in attendance for Q & A and an audience discussion. A reception follows each film. Discover the value and magic of independent films! Check our Events page for the latest announcement of upcoming films!
Looking to See is generously supported by the Henry Sylvia Yaschik Foundation.
The Halsey Institute greatly appreciates the talents of Jeanette Guinn for the Now Hear This! audio tours. Currently an Arts Management professor at the College of Charleston, Guinn is also a producer, writer, and host of Arts Daily, which airs on South Carolina public radio. Listen to Arts Daily here.
We had a great time – the tour guides did a wonderful job bringing the exhibition to life for our students.
Sara Peck, Write of Summer camp, Blue Bicycle Books
I was pleasantly surprised to see how engaged six 7-11 year old boys cold be in an art museum! The docents were very patient with the group and excellent tour guides!
Starr Jordan, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
Loved the activity at the end – it was a related to the exhibit so we were able to get a hands-on feel without touching the exhibit!
Summer camp counselor 2013, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
I think we all walked away in awe. It really was a great experience. Wonderful show, brilliant artist and wonderful tour guide.
Carla Marchione, Art Institute of Charleston
Our students came away with an amazing experience that they spoke about weeks after the visit.
Ashley Wyrick, Wando High School