Explore this music in the cradle of jazz culture, Harlem! Our hands-on group tours and workshops invite participants of all ages to engage deeply with jazz history and the timeless lessons of creativity and collaboration that jazz has to offer.
Organizing a field trip for your school, bus tour, organization, or visiting New York City from out of town? We offer workshops and tours for pre-k through adult learners.
Group size is limited to 35 students per group (40 people, including chaperones). Minimum of 12 people to reserve a group visit tour/workshop.
Pre-K and K visits are 45 minutes. Grade 1 through adult visits are 60 minutes in length. If you add a live music boost (see the rates below), our presentations will be 75 minutes in length.
We have two different flat-rates, depending on your status as a Title 1 School/Nonprofit. For Title 1 schools/Nonprofits, our flat-rate is $175.00. For all other non Title 1 Schools/Organizations/Tour Groups, our rate is $350.00.
Yes, you are allowed to bring multiple groups for education presentations. We can only service one group at a time. If you are bringing multiple groups, we kindly ask that the other group(s) wait offsite until their scheduled workshop time.
We DO NOT allow ANY outside food or drinks into our facility (except bottled water). If the students are bringing their own lunch with them on the trip, we kindly request that they store it in a lunch box/bag and keep it with their other items or stored away in a backpack. While we do not have a facility space where students can eat/drink their lunches, we do have a couple of local parks that are within walking distance of the museum to have lunch and play on the playground, before or after your visit. The parks are:
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Jazz Artist Exploration
Sing, dance, and learn! Students will be introduced to either Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong. (45 minutes)
Oom Bop Sh’Bam
Students actively engage with music in this fun introduction to jazz. We explore improvisation and scat singing to foster creativity, build self-confidence, and learn about ourselves and others. Students will learn about jazz performers and composers, while having a chance to perform themselves. (60 minutes)
Born in Harlem
An in-depth look at creativity and civil rights during the Jazz Age and beyond. Learn about NY State History with a multifaceted look at cultural changes in Harlem after the Great Migration. Students actively engage with jazz as they explore the development and transformation of American culture. By the end of the workshop students will be able to identify artists, writers, musicians, song titles, and composers associated with the Jazz Age in Harlem. (60 minutes)
Changes in Society
Explore the ways people respond to changes in society through a close look at jazz, Black music, and American culture in post WWI Harlem. Students will use primary sources to better understand what life was like 100 years ago and how young Black geniuses shared ideas that changed the world. (60 minutes)
Jazz Ambassadors
During the Cold War American jazz musicians traveled around the world as cultural ambassadors for the US State Department. Notable musicians involved in the program included Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Dave Brubeck. Examine primary sources to discover how a country can change its image both domestically and internationally. (60 minutes)
Jazz Hands
A fun hands on introduction to jazz. This unique program includes an instrument petting zoo and an interactive presentation full of jazz recordings and videos of jazz singers and dancers. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to dance, sing, and have a great time.
Live Music Boost: Add a musical demonstration to your workshop with professional jazz artists.
Jazz Explorers
Ideal for elementary school students, this virtual field trip explores how musicians communicate. This 45 minute interactive program will include videos of great jazz musicians, call and response games, and a scat singing activity. (45 minutes)
100 Years of the Harlem Renaissance
Travel to back in time to learn what Harlem was like 100 years ago. Middle school students will learn about artists, writers, musicians, song titles, and historic jazz clubs associated with the Harlem Renaissance. (45 minutes)
Questions? Contact us at education@jmih.org or call 212-348-8300 x103
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These programs were developed with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State of New York.