Visitor Tours
Public Tours: The Museum offers free public tours on the first Friday of every month and free Spotlight Talks every Friday. Both programs are led by Museum Educators. Tours start at 7:00 p.m. in the entrance gallery and last approximately 45 minutes. Spotlight Talks start at 2:00 p.m. and last approximately 15 minutes. Please visit our Special Events section for upcoming themes and topics.
Private Tours: The Norton Simon Museum offers a variety of private tours for group purchase. Conducted by a Museum Educator, they last approximately 90 minutes and can be scheduled mornings and afternoons on any day except Tuesday. The rate is $250.00 for the first twenty-five people and $200.00 for each additional twenty-five and includes all-day admission to the galleries and gardens. Each participant will also receive a print or postcard representing a particular work from the collection. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Michael Ano at (626) 844 6980 or mano@nortonsimon.org. All reservations need to be made at least 2 weeks in advance and be pre-paid.
Groups purchasing a Private Tour can select from one of the following tour options:
HIGHLIGHTS - From Renaissance through the 20th century, this tour is a wonderful introduction to the Museum and its collections. Masterpieces by Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Gogh are featured among others.
THE MODERN WORLD - This tour explores some of the Museum's most celebrated works from its vast collection of 19th- and 20th-century art. The tour focuses on art from the Barbizon School, the Nabis, Impressionists, and Post Impressionists, including notable works by Degas, Picasso, Henry Moore and The Blue Four artists.
INDIAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN - For visitors with a passion for the East, or those simply interested in learning more about South and Southeast Asian art, this tour provides a fascinating overview of the Museum's renowned Asian Art collection. Presented in the Museum's tranquil and elegant Asian galleries, this tour includes the exceptional collection of Chola Bronzes dating back to the late 9th century C.E.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION - The museum presents special exhibitions featuring segments of the permanent collection on a regular basis. Please consult the exhibition section to find out more about current and upcoming special exhibitions.
** Please note that our staff educators are experts on the Museum's collections and with enough advance notice we can design a tour that meets your group's interests.
