Do you enjoy looking at and learning about art?
Would you like to explore ideas and share information with others?
Do you have an interest in meeting new people?BECOME
A SPRINGFIELD
ART MUSEUM DOCENT!
Springfield
docents volunteer to lead interactive tours to groups of adults
and children. Docents volunteer on a weekly basis, or as the schedule
dictates, and participate in monthly docent meetings. Docents
are required to complete a formal training session and must make
a commitment of one year to the tour program, prior to leading tours
for the public. Potential docents must be at least 18 years of
age, possess an enthusiasm for learning, a passion for the visual
arts and an ability to speak in front of groups of people. Contact
the Museum Educator at 837-5700 at the Springfield Art Museum for
an application and additional information. Q & A:
I am not an artist, and don't know much about art,
can I still become a docent? Although a background
in the visual arts is helpful, it is not required, as a formal training
program is offered for all new docents through the Springfield Art
Museum. After "new docent" training, a monthly docent
meeting provides ongoing educational opportunities where new ideas
and information about artists and artwork is shared. A docent
handbook is provided for all volunteers. Docents are encouraged
to conduct independent research on related topics or particular
artists. Is there a fee to become a docent? While
there is no monetary cost to join the docent program, a commitment
of time is required. We ask that new docents, after completing training,
commit to the program for a minimum of one year and lead at least
two tours a month. How do I sign up? Fill out
the attached application and return it to : Museum Educator, Springfield
Art Museum, 1111 East Brookside Dr., Springfield, MO 65807. You
may be asked for a brief, personal interview before admission into
the program. Check with the Museum Educator for current information
about future docent training opportunities. Call the Museum at (417)
837-5700 for more information. | 
