New York - Art & Design School Trip

Day 1 - Fly to New York

Touch down in New York and get ready for an unforgettable adventure! As you travel to Manhattan, the awe-inspiring architecture will take your breath away – so keep your cameras handy! After checking into your hotel, make a beeline for the iconic Times Square. Get swept up in the electrifying energy as you navigate through bustling crowds with dazzling screens flashing the latest media, stamping New York’s authority on global art and design. After dinner, you'll be more than ready to relax back at the hotel.

Day 2 - MoMa, Graffiti Street Art Tour, Whitney Museum of American Art

Begin your first full day with a visit to MoMA. World-renowned, MoMA exhibits the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art. Its extensive collection includes renowned masterpieces from Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol, and is incredibly diverse with painting, sculpture, photography, film, and architecture all offered. Student groups can take advantage of guided museum tours to further their understanding of the artworks on display and allow students to engage with the artists’ creative processes.

Suitably inspired, it’s time to head out for a Graffiti Street Art Tour followed by a student workshop. Introduce students to the incredible diversity of the graffiti medium, roving New York to see not only classic graffiti but also yarn bombing and tape art.

Finish your day at the Whitney Museum of American Art, dedicated to showcasing American art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The permanent exhibition includes big hitters such as Pollock, Warhol, and Rothko, helping immerse students in the classics, while Whitney's commitment to diverse emerging and lesser-known artists will broaden your students’ knowledge of newer voices and trends.

In the evening, head to Bubba Gump Shrimp, the iconic restaurant inspired by Forrest Gump. Then, keep the excitement going with a spectacular Broadway show that will leave you dazzled!

Day 3 - Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour, International Center of Photography, Top of the Rock

This morning, embark on an exciting walking tour of Midtown Manhattan in the heart of the Big Apple. Explore the iconic Broadway and theatre district and marvel at NYC architecture on a student-focused tour. From here, grab a coffee and take a leisurely stroll through Central Park. It’s a great time to practise your architectural and landscape photography. Depending on the season, you'll either be capturing a magical snow-covered landscape or shooting a refreshing green oasis.

Continue the photography theme with a visit to the International Center of Photography. Boasting a vast collection covering the pioneers of early photography through to contemporary artists, students can learn about the evolution of photography and visual culture. The ICP often addresses critical social and political issues through its exhibitions and programmes. Art students can explore how photography intersects with themes such as identity, human rights, and social justice, broadening their perspective on the power of visual storytelling.

Unwind this evening with a trip to the Top of the Rock, perhaps even recreating that iconic photo. The observation deck at Rockefeller Center gives students spectacular, 360-degree views of New York City.

Day 4 - Guggenheim Museum, New Museum of Contemporary Art, Empire State Building

Let architecture take centre stage this morning with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, students can explore the intersection of art and architecture while reflecting on how the museum's design itself influences the collections held here. Featuring the work of Kandinsky and Picasso, students can compare at close quarters different artistic movements. Take advantage of the educational tours on offer to learn more about art history and contemporary practices.

Next, head to the New Museum of Contemporary Art, which is dedicated to new and emerging artists. The provocative and groundbreaking exhibitions here will wow your students with their exploration of the avant-garde and conceptual.

Enjoy your final night in "the city that never sleeps" with an unforgettable trip to the top of the Empire State Building! From the Observatory, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of New York City that will leave you in awe. Bring your sketchbook to capture the incredible skyline at dusk.

Day 5 - Free Time or Museum of you Choice, Flight Home

Depending on your flight time, you might have a full day to squeeze in more artistic adventures or just a free morning for some last-minute shopping fun.

For those with time, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) makes an ideal final stop. Its enormous collection spans over two million works from 5,000 years of art history. For those against the clock, Fifth Avenue is a shopaholic's paradise, and if you're on the hunt for the perfect souvenirs, Times Square has got you covered. Make the most of your final hours in this amazing city!

Day 6 - Arrive Back Home

Arrive home with some unforgettable memories of a fantastic Art and Design school trip to New York!