Docents
Have you ever wanted to lead tours at a museum? Do you want to learn more about contemporary art? Here is your chance!
The word “docent” comes from a Latin word meaning “to teach.” Museum docents are volunteers who are specially trained to facilitate the educational experience of students, families, and adults through the galleries and exhibitions at MOCA Jacksonville. Because many people learn not only by viewing but by doing, docents at MOCA are also trained to lead hands-on activities with age-appropriate materials in the studios of the fifth floor Education Center.
Volunteer docents attend in-depth training on tour techniques and learn about modern and contemporary art through lectures and discussions. Museum educators demonstrate and train docents on how to facilitate discussion through tours in the galleries. Other benefits include curatorial lectures, opportunities to meet artists and ask questions, studio art lessons, monthly meetings, and educational outings. For more information on this exciting opportunity please fill out a Docent Application and contact MOCA’s Education Department at (904) 366-6911 ext. 212.
Docent Training for Beginners
February 9 – March 30, 2009 • Mondays from 11am – 1pm
MOCA is offering an eight-week class for training new docent volunteers to lead museum tours for the visiting public beginning Monday, February 9, 2009.
Group visitors form a lasting impression of MOCA Jacksonville through their docent tours. In this high-visibility capacity, a docent’s qualifications, training, and performance are extremely important. A docent must enjoy working with people of diverse interests, backgrounds, and ages and be able to conduct tours with flexibility, diplomacy, and a willingness to accept new challenges.
MOCA Jacksonville is seeking volunteers who are interested in being trained as docents to present tour experiences for our visitors. The tour program is visitor-centered and requires facilitation as opposed to lecture skills; no prior knowledge of art or art history is required.
Persons who have an interest in community service, the arts, and the general public are welcome to apply. Individuals are especially encouraged to apply who have done undergraduate or graduate work in Education or Art Education, Early Childhood or Elementary Education, or classroom teaching experience, as well as those individuals who have professional or volunteer experience in nontraditional education but possess a knowledge of facilitating or have an interest in inquiry-based learning.
Training classes are held on Mondays from 11am – 1pm for eight weeks beginning February 9 through March 30, 2009. Attendance is mandatory. For more information or to receive an application, please call the MOCA Education Department at (904) 366-6911 extension 212 or email cfitzpatrick[at]mocajacksonville.org. Space is limited.