Education

Off-site Group Experiences

The Bata Shoe Museum is stepping out of the box with a brand new off-site offering – where we come to you. Experience the fascinating history of footwear through the lens of the world’s most impressive collection of over 15,000 artifacts dating back 4,500 years, customized within your own space and to suit the preferences of your unique group.

All off-site group tour experiences begin with a 1-hour presentation from our expert team of Education Guides. Choose to add on a hands-on experience or creative workshop, or both!

1-hour / $300
Participants will enjoy an engaging presentation featuring a slideshow of remarkable footwear from the Museum’s collection. The session highlights a diverse range of shoes from Indigenous designs and traditional footwear to innovative and iconic styles from across the decades.

30 minutes / $75
Add a sensory experience to give participants the opportunity to see and handle footwear from around the world. This sensory experience invites groups to examine and appreciate the intricate details, materials, and craftsmanship that shoe designers and makers have used throughout history, while expanding their knowledge through questions and discussion.

1-hour / $5 per person
Add on the option of a 1-hour interactive workshop to either create a shoe-themed greeting card or make and decorate your own mini shoe ornament. Each workshop activity can include a short presentation and time for conversation and sharing.

Benefits

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how footwear has evolved over 4,500 years and the cultural, social, and economic stories shoes can tell about different societies globally.

Groups will benefit from the knowledge of the Museum’s expert team of Education Guides and experience a curated look at the world’s most impressive collection of over 15,000 artifacts without visiting the physical museum.

Through the optional hands-on experience or creative workshop, participants can move beyond passive learning to actively engage with the material and foster practical or artistic skills related to footwear.

The program offers the benefit of being customized to the specific space and preferences of the unique group, making the learning experience more relevant and impactful for the audience.

The off-site format, combined with the interactive components (presentation, hands-on activity, or workshop), will facilitate discussion, collaboration, and shared discovery among group members.

Program Details

Available: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Participants: Designed for adult and senior audiences and welcomes a maximum of 150 for presentations and a maximum of 40 people for hands-on and workshop activities.
Format: Hosted in-person at your facility.
Facilitator: The Bata Shoe Museum Off-site Education Consultant.
Materials: All supplies are provided.
Requirements: Seating for all participants for the presentation and one table per 4–6 participants for the workshop

How to Book

Please review the available presentation options and fill in the Tour Request Form. You will be asked to select your preferred times. A member of our Education Team will then contact you to confirm your requested time, or make alternative arrangements. If you have general questions, please contact tours@batashoemuseum.ca.

Boots and Spurs Summer Day Camp

Open to: Registered day camp organizations
Dates: Monday to Friday from July 8 to August 29, 2025, excluding Monday, August 4 (Civic Holiday)
Details: Two-hour reservation in a dedicated room + exhibition tour

Inspired by our new exhibition Rough & Ready: The History of Cowboy Boots, saddle up with us for a summer filled with fun and learning. Guided by a team of experienced and knowledgeable instructors, campers will experience cowboy boots and culture like never before. Get creative with a variety of cowboy crafts, interact with our hands-on collection of shoes and boots, and try on some funky western-inspired gear. All campers will be given take-home activity booklets and a neighbourhood walking guide so you can start or continue the fun all day.

Campers must be accompanied by qualified supervisors. At least one supervisor in your group must be over the age of 18.