From TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
If you have a passion for teaching and sharing the arts with school-aged audiences, consider becoming a Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) docent. For those interested in learning more, there will be an informational session Friday, Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Both sessions will be in the Little Theater.
“Docents are trained Toledo Museum of Art volunteers who engage with visitors to encourage enjoyment of the arts and create a warm and welcoming museum environment,” explained Mike Deetsch, TMA’s director of education. “Anyone with a passion for learning can apply to be a docent, no art or art history background needed.”
Applications are being accepted through Feb. 7 and interviews will take place mid-February, with classes scheduled to begin in April 2020. As part of the year-long training process, participants will attend convenient weekday classroom and gallery training sessions where they will meet with experienced docents and Museum curators.
In addition to the overall docent training, this 2020 class will gain specific skills to connect K-8 students with the works of art in the TMA collection, as well as specific training for the school tour program.
“We are often asked what makes a good docent,” Deetsch said. “We look for volunteers who are enthusiastic, patient and flexible with an interest in interacting with the public as part of an energetic team.”
For more information, please visit toledomuseum.org or plan on attending one of the two informational sessions.
