BIMA Bistro has switched to its fall hours: Monday-Saturday, open 10am-4pm. Closed Sundays.

WINTER HOLIDAY HOURS

In observance of the holiday season, the museum will have the following schedule changes:

  • Tuesday, December 24: The museum will close at 2:00 PM.
  • Wednesday, December 25: The museum will be closed all day.
  • Wednesday, January 1: The museum will be closed all day.

School and Educator Programs

BIMA’s art-based learning opportunities spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and bolster creativity. Designed to support Washington and federal standards, our free school and educator programs provide accessible, high-quality arts education for all learners in Kitsap County and beyond.

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Field Trips | Educator Resources

Field Trips

Guided Field Trips:
Looking At and Talking About Art

BIMA offers guided field trips for school and homeschool groups Tuesdays – Thursdays, from 10:00 – 11:45 am. For the 2024 – 2025 school year, slots are available from October through May. Please use this form to request a date and time for your visit. 

Our guided interactive field trips use a learner-centered method known as Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). Through facilitated close-looking, VTS encourages critical thinking and allows students to share their views in a supportive, collaborative setting. Students are also guided through a simple sketchbook-making project and are given time to explore the galleries with their adult chaperones.

There is no cost for guided field trips. A bus transportation subsidy may be available upon request.

A student group enjoys a free docent-led field trip during BIMA's show commemorating the 75th anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese-Americans on Bainbridge Island.
Students sitting on the floor drawing pictures based on their field trip

Self-Guided Field Trips:
Explore The Exhibitions

BIMA welcomes K-12 groups to explore the galleries on their own. We currently are limiting group size to 25 including adult chaperones. Please register your group in advance by emailing the Education Department. Pre-visit resources and other information for your visit will be provided upon registration.

Educator Resources

BIMA Curriculum Collaborative:
Arts-Integrated Lesson Plans For K-5 Classrooms

Designed for ease of use, these grab-and-go lesson plans meet curriculum standards and foreground equity, with an emphasis on one or more of the following areas: Spanish dual-language, special education, social emotional learning (SEL), and/or arts integrated curriculum development.

Learn more and explore BIMA’s lesson plans here.

Teacher demonstrating watercolor technique
Malia Peoples demonstrating a craft project

Art In Action Videos

Art in Action introduces basic art concepts, materials, and techniques to learners of all ages. With 100+ videos to choose from, the videos range from 2-11 minutes and cover a wide range of ideas, from getting “unstuck” or sparking creativity, to step-by-step instructions for projects that are easy to accomplish.

Explore our entire library of videos on YouTube. 

Professional Development

BIMA supports learning opportunities for educators and is a Washington State clock hour provider. We hope to resume our annual free arts-based professional development workshop in 2023. In the meantime, clock hours may be available for select hands-on workshops. Contact us for more information.

Educators participating in a hands-on project during a professional development workshop