Published October 28, 2024

ARTBus Trip to Washington D.C.

Thirty Art students ventured to D.C. to explore a myriad of museums, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Experiential Learning Fund!

A group of thirty people, arranged in a two row line, pose on a gravel walkway at the National Mall in Wadshington D.C., with the Washington Monument visible in the background. It is close to sunrise, and the people shield their eyes from sunbeams coming across their faces. Grassy rear.

Trip Overview

"Visit some of the most famous art museums in the world and see some of the world's greatest art — for only $30!"

That's what students were told, as well as being given an intense travel itinerary: 

• Thursday October 24, 11:45pm:  Depart UB North

• Friday October 25, 7:00am:  Arrive in DC (drop-off location TBD)

• Friday October 25, 10:00pm:  Depart DC (pick-up location TBD)

• Saturday October 26, approx. 5:00am:  Return to UB North

What they did with that time in D.C. was left up to them. Given a map and list of the many free art museums, by chaperones Domenic Licata and Whitney Kehl (Instructional Support Technicians in the Department of Art), students roamed the Capitol, seeing a exemplary art and architecture.

Some of the museums visited include:

A group of four people,sit on a ledge at the National Mall in Washington D.C., with the Washington Monument visible in the background. A clear blue sky is in the background.

Impact

The trip was a major success, as measured by students’ exclaimations about their engagement with art, history, and nationally significant sites. The ride back to Buffalo was a happy one, and in a post-trip survey, some students reported:

  • “It is a great opportunity to explore cities I would not otherwise have the chance to visit. It is a great price and [the trip can] be squeezed in to almost any schedule. I am sad that this will be my last ARTBus experience because I will be graduating. Thank you for allowing me to join you on this trip! It will definitely be a memory I cherish forever.”
  • “I really enjoyed the portrait gallery, as seeing all kinds of famous figures from inventors to presidents was really fascinating.”
  • “I think this trip was amazing and there is nothing I would recommend changing.”

In that survey, we also asked:

  • “I learned things during the ARTBus trip that are relevant to by studies at UB.” — 83% Agreed or Strongly Agreed
  • “I intend to discuss or share with others what I learned on this trip.” — 100% Agreed or Strongly Agreed

The funds from the College's Experiential Learning Fund, supplemented by Department of Art funds, allowed us to offer low-cost tickets ($30) to students who would otherwise be unlikely or unable to visit and experience the world-renowned cultural sites of D.C. This annual trip, begun in 2011, is something we look forward to offering UB students for years to come. 

To support the Department of Art, including more opportunities like this for students, consider donating to the Art Cary Fund, or see our Support the Department page for other funds including program-specific scholarships. 

Exterior photo of the National Museum of African Art entryway, with a clear blue sky above.

Photo by student Tristan Walbesser.

Large tire sculpture in the Museum of African Art in Washington D.C., as seen from a balcony above, and other artworks on the surrounding walls.
Bull skull in a glass case, with text caption "Go Bulls".

Photo by student Tristan Walbesser.

Exterior photo of theThomas Jefferson memorial, with a clear blue sky above.

Photo by student Tristan Walbesser.

A young woman standing in front of a memorial with bronze wreths hanging from stone towers.

Photo by student Amanda Anaya.

Statue of a ballerina, made out of bronze, in a glass case, with other pedestals and cases of artwork in the background.

Photo by student Lynn Xie.