The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) invites community members to join a very important volunteer team—the museum’s docent corps. This welcoming group of trained volunteers engages visitors with works of art on view at the museum. Through docents’ efforts, approximately 2,750 children from schools across Wisconsin experience the transformative power of art. For many, it is their first visit to an art museum. These encounters with original works of art offer children a diversity of perspectives to consider, and demonstrate the value of curiosity and open-ended inquiry to learning and growth.

Docent training prepares these volunteers to facilitate visitors’ explorations of modern and contemporary art. The training is held from 1 to 3:30 pm on Tuesdays, September 25 through December 18 at the museum.

MMoCA’s docents share their knowledge and enthusiasm to help visitors gain insight into art, and are a vital part of the museum’s efforts to provide experiences that educate, reflect, and inspire. Docents lead tours of MMoCA’s exhibitions for children and adults, and involve tour participants in lively discussions about the art on view. Above all, they encourage group members to look closely at works of art and find meaning through interpretation of a work of art’s subject, materials, and style.

“The experience of being a docent has provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of art and artists.  It has also been a wonderful way to make new friends and to share information, perceptions, and a variety of points of view.” – Eve D.

Background in art and art history is not required to apply to the program. The twelve-week training course includes presentations on modern and contemporary art, art media and processes, behind-the-scenes museum operations, how to effectively engage tour participants, and more. There is a $20 materials fee; the training course is free. Applicants should be willing to make a two-year commitment, including the twelve-week training.

In recognition of their service to MMoCA, docents receive benefits such as private exhibition orientations with artists and museum curators and a 20% discount at MMoCA’s award-winning Museum Store. Docents contribute to the culture of the city and foster a dynamic exchange between the museum and the community.

For a position description and application, visit mmoca.org and click Support/Docent Program, or contact Sheri Castelnuovo, curator of education, at 608.257.0158 or sheri@mmoca.org. Applications will be accepted immediately. The deadline for applying to the program is Friday, September 7, 2018.