Harvard art museums in need of volunteer docents

Harvard University Art Museums (HUAM) is currently seeking volunteers interested in public art education for its museum docent program. The program consists of approximately 35 volunteer guides who give tours of the Fogg Art Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum.

Approximately six to eight prospective docents will be chosen to enter a special eight-month training program conducted by HUAM, to be held Monday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon beginning Sept. 19.

Applicants should have experience and ability in speaking easily to an audience, an ability to teach public and community groups of all ages and backgrounds, a strong interest in art, and a desire to learn about Harvard’s collections. Individuals willing to commit to learning the Sackler collections of Asian and ancient art; who have experience working with children; and who are fluent in Spanish are particularly encouraged to apply. Docents are expected to attend all training sessions, which will be provided without charge. For a period of two years following the completion of the training, docents will be expected to give a minimum of two one-hour tours per month, and to attend semimonthly orientation and scheduling meetings.

As part of their training, prospective docents will attend specially planned lectures, seminars, and gallery talks by Harvard curators and professors, and will make trips to local museums. Docents in training will also have noncredit access to Harvard courses in art history as well as access to HUAM’s research facilities.