What is a docent?
Docents are museum volunteers whose enthusiasm and knowledge help visitors make meaning of the Maier Museum’s collections. Docents work in pairs leading school groups of 12-16 students for 50 minute tours. Docents may also be asked to conduct adult-level tours as needed.
Interested? Read on! Or perhaps you know of an art lover who may be interested? If so, please send this information along to them. Our docent training begins on Monday, September 21.
Reasons to volunteer as a docent:
- You will learn a great deal about American art in general and about the incredible art housed in the Museum’s collection in particular.
- You will have the opportunity to participate in day trips to other museums in Virginia and surrounding areas.
- You will be advocating support for arts education in your community.
What is the time requirement? Our heaviest tour months are November and March. In November we host all fifth graders in the Lynchburg City Schools, and in March all second graders. Docents lead or assist no more than six tours in November and six tours in March.
What is the training requirement? Required training for new docents takes place in September and October at the Museum on Mondays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. An optional introduction to American art is offered through the video series American Visions: The Epic History of Art in America with Robert Hughes. This series is screened at the Museum in June, July, and August.
Are there any other opportunities to volunteer at the Museum? Yes! We also need volunteer Receptionists to greet visitors and handle gift shop sales. Receptionists commit to two regular monthly times (1-3 p.m. or 3-5 p.m. weekdays, or 2-4 p.m. Saturday or Sunday).
If you are interested in becoming a docent or receptionist at the Maier Museum of Art, please contact Martha Johnson at 434-947-8136 or mjohnson@randolphcollege.edu.
