Frequently Asked Questions

For a guided Learning Labs please book online
For a self-guided field trip please use the request form
For a Digital Field Trip please book online
For an IMAX® Theatre screening please email groups@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
For an Outreach Kit please use the request form
For a Provocation Pack please use the request form

The Royal BC Museum and IMAX® Theatre is located at 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC. We are just steps from the BC Legislative Assembly and Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

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The Royal BC Museum does not own or operate a parking lot, but there are several privately run lots nearby as well as parking on the surrounding streets.

See City of Victoria Parking and Robbins Parking for more information.

Special note: There is a short-term parking drop-off zone on Belleville Street in front of the museum’s main entrance.

There is no minimum number of students required to participate in our programs.

Payments must be made in person by Canadian or US cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Interac, money order in Canadian funds, or organization cheque in Canadian funds payable to the Royal BC Museum.

For payments by credit card where the cardholder will not be present, contact the Group Bookings office (groups@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca) to obtain a credit card authorization form which must be filled out by the cardholder in advance of your visit and presented at the time of payment by the group leader.

If you choose not to visit, or do not cancel your booking with the Group Booking office, the cost of your reservation will be invoiced to your school.

In-person self-guided field trips are available Tuesday through Fridays. Due to the reduced museum capacity, we have limited the number of BC Grade Schools on-site as follows:

Tuesdays and Thursdays: three classes per day of up to 35 students per class
Wednesdays and Fridays: two classes per day of up to 35 students per class

In-person guided field trips are available Wednesdays and Fridays from September 2024 through May2025. And on Tuesday mornings for French speaking classes from October 2024 through March 2025.

Yes, chaperones are required for your visit to the museum and IMAX® Theatre.

Our chaperone ratio for museum visits is:

Grades K–8 1:5 (one chaperone for every five students)
Grades 9–12 1:10 (one chaperone for every ten students)
 

Our chaperone ratio for the IMAX® Theatre is:

Grades K–12 1 chaperone for every 15–29 youth, 2 chaperones for every 30–59 youth

Additional adults will be charged regular admission rate.

Teachers and chaperones: you are responsible for the behaviour and safety of your group. Please ensure that your group stays together at all times while inside the museum, IMAX® Theatre, and when visiting the shops. We ask that you read and review the School Group Behaviour Agreement with your students and chaperones before you visit and again upon arrival. We also require you to bring a signed copy with you and present it at the box office in order to pick up your tickets.

Failure to follow the agreement or the instructions of Royal BC Museum or IMAX® Theatre staff may result in your group being asked to leave and/or your school being barred from future visits.

Please visit our Prepare for Your Visit section for more information.

Please visit our Prepare for Your Visit section for more information.

To make any changes to or to cancel a booked school program, please do so at least two weeks (10 business days) in advance.

To cancel a self-guided tour or IMAX® Theatre visit, please do so at least a week (5 business days) in advance.

If you choose not to visit, or do not cancel your booking with the Group Booking office, the cost of your reservation will be invoiced to your school.

To contact us please mail groups@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. Please have your confirmation number ready.

The museum galleries offer numerous opportunities to engage learners in meaningful ways. When planning your visit, consider your schedule and time constraints, identify your learning focus, and think about how to integrate this learning into your pre- and post-visit classroom activities.

We recommend starting your visit as a single group to set a positive tone for the day. This is a great time to review your learning objectives and discuss the purpose of your visit to the museum. It is also an ideal opportunity to go over the School Group Behaviour Agreement and outline expectations for behavior during the visit. Make sure all chaperones and students are aware of where to meet at the end of the visit.

For self-guided visits, we invite you to use our Inquiry Guides to structure your time in the galleries. Please download and print copies in advance for your class. Whether you are planning your own activities or using our Inquiry Guides, remember to bring your own clipboards and pencils.

If you have a larger group, divide it into smaller groups with the appropriate chaperone ratio. Each group should start in a different gallery or on a different floor, ideally one that aligns with your learning goals. As students move through the galleries, give them time to adjust to the space and make their own observations. Provide guidance or activities to support their learning, and if time permits, allow students to further explore areas of personal interest.

If you have booked a visit to IMAX® Theatre, ensure your group arrives on the main floor at least 15 minutes before showtime.

If you would like to discuss your visit in more detail with a member of our learning staff, please email us at learning@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. We would be happy to assist you.

Due to the limited space, we recommend booking at least minimum of two weeks (10 business days) in advance if you have a specific date, time, or program in mind for your visit.

Groups are welcome to bring their own snacks and lunches. Food and drink are only permitted in designated areas, including 2% Jazz Café, Clifford Carl Hall or the adjacent community room on the museum’s main floor. You are also welcome to eat outside at our picnic tables. Water stations are available on the main and second floors.

Please note food, gum and drinks are not permitted in the museum galleries

On-site, you will find 2% Jazz Café, various food trucks behind the museum and the Sound Bites Concession at the IMAX® Theatre. For more information and hours, visit our Food and Drink page.

Please limit the size of bags and backpacks, leaving any non-essential items at home or at school. Bags larger than 30 cm by 30 cm are not allowed in the exhibit areas, except for first aid and medical equipment bags.

We provide storage bins on a first come first serve basis should your group require storage. Please note these bins are located in a non-secure storage area and cannot be guaranteed during busy times. The museum and IMAX® Theatre are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

We invite teachers to explore the Royal BC Museum galleries ahead of their scheduled school tours. This preview allows you to plan your students' visit effectively, identify key exhibits that align with your curriculum, and gather any necessary materials. Teachers who have booked a school visit enjoy complimentary admission for this preview.

To book a preview pass please email groups@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca with your group booking confirmation number to arrange your teacher preview or pre-visit tour.

If you would like to meet with a learning staff member to talk through your visit further, please email learning@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca and we would be happy to meet with you during your pre-visit.

We encourage photography, but please refrain from using flash, tripods or monopods. Be sure to respect the signs asking you not to take pictures of certain objects.

Photographs may not be permitted in special exhibitions, please follow signage or ask if you are uncertain.

Please limit the size of bags and backpacks, leaving any non-essential items at home or at school. Bags larger than 30 cm by 30 cm are not allowed in the exhibit areas, except for first aid and medical equipment bags.

We provide storage bins on a first come first serve basis should your group require storage. Please note these bins are located in a non-secure storage area and cannot be guaranteed during busy times. The museum and IMAX® Theatre are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

No! You just need access to the internet and a web browser. If you require a different platform, please contact us at dft@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Most programs can be adjusted for other age group (including adults!) Contact dft@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca for your specific inquiry.

Seeing the students helps with interactivity and makes it more personable. However, we can still do the program without seeing the students if there are privacy concerns.

We would love to hear from you! Please email us at learning@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

We encourage educators to explore the Learning Portal to enhance their students’ pre- and post-visit at the museum. This dynamic online resource features engaging audio and video content, stunning images, and insightful articles. Curated playlists cover a wide range of topics, providing valuable to support to enrich your visit. Use the For Educators tab to help you navigate the site and to search by subject matter and grade level.

We offer French programming on Tuesdays for in-person and digital fieldtrips from October 2024 through March 2025. French programs must be booked at least two weeks (10 business days) in advance. Inquiry Guides are available in French for self-guided groups.

Can’t find the information you are looking for? Reach out to us at learning@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca and we will get back to you within five business days.