What is a docent?A docent is a teacher, serving the museum and the community in the field of art education. The word "docent" is derived from the Latin word docere meaning "to teach." Along with providing the continuing education in art to its individual members, the docent program contributes in a variety of ways to art education in the Eastern CT region.
The docent program is composed of volunteers from the community with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience.The Benton's Student Docent Program is for UConn students and is described below.
What do docents do?
Docents contribute in several important areas:
Touring: Docents serve as tour guides to school children, visitors, students, the university and local community.
Art lectures: Docents may present talks at the museum, to schools, community groups, and senior centers in the region.
Research: Docents prepare background information on museum exhibitions and acquisitions for the use of docents who tour and give lectures.
Are there any prerequisites for joining the program? Volunteers should have an interest in art and enjoy learning and working with people. Docents must attend weekly training and be committed to the Docent Program. Docents do not need a degree in art. Bilingual persons are strongly encouraged to apply to the program.
What benefits do docents enjoy? Docent training is an exciting review of the latest art scholarship and art education ideas and offers an opportunity for personal education and growth. Docents also enjoy special trips to museums as well as a chance to meet artists and work with museum professionals. They can network with their colleagues from regional and national museums through docent symposiums and conferences. They receive a discount in the Museum Store and validated parking when giving a tour or talk at the museum. Most art museums allow free admission to docents as a courtesy for being a valuable museum asset.
What does the training program involve? The training program lasts nine months from September to May. Museum staff, docents and guest lectures lead the trainees in the study of the history of art; exhibitions; museum education; and the study of the museum's collection. Docents in training perfect their skills in various areas of docent service and join the many active docents serving the William Benton Museum of Art.
How many hours a week will it take? Trainees meet each Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm from September to May. Some individual time is spent on research, reading assignments, and preparation for tours or attending lectures. After months of initial instruction, docents continue to attend weekly Education Department trainings on Tuesday mornings. Docents give a minimum of 5 tours a semester.
How much does it cost? Docents must become members of the museum and pay yearly docent dues to the Docent Council. The Docent Handbook by the National Docent Council is required and may be purchased through the Education Department.
How do I become a docent? For further information and application, please contact Education Coordinator Tracy Lawlor at tracy.lawlor@uconn.edu or 860-486-1711.
The Student Docent ProgramUConn students play an important role at The Benton. As museum docents, they introduce freshman students to the art museum and engage their peers in the process of looking at and appreciating art. Student docents-in-training meet weekly on Fridays 2–3:30 pm beginning in September. Training focuses on learning about the current exhibitions, the Benton collection, and developing communication and professional docent skills.
Students must be reliable, attend weekly trainings, enjoy working with people and learning about art. There are many rewards for becoming a docent. Through training and experience, students become knowledgeable about art, develop public speaking skills and confidence, and earn a valuable asset for one's resume.
It is not necessary to be an art or art history major to become a student docent. Student docents have been majors from various departments.
For more information, please contact Tracy Lawlor, Education Coordinator.