Volunteer

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Brooks! We truly couldn’t do what we do without their help. The Brooks offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, depending on your individual interests, skills, and availability.

Founded in 1965, the Brooks Docent Program was established by the Brooks Museum League. Serving thousands of visitors each year, Brooks docents engage their audiences with the artwork on view and foster the development of visual and creative thinking skills, often providing the first contact many children and adults have with the visual arts. We strive to provide a positive, meaningful, and relevant experience with art.

What is a Docent? A docent is a museum-trained volunteer who conducts tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions for children or adults. The word docent is derived from the Latin word docere, meaning to teach. Volunteers receive a four-month training course in the museum’s permanent collection, art history, and touring techniques. The museum Education department is actively recruiting new docents for the next training sessions beginning September 2024.

Training consists of two classes per week during the four month program. Once the initial training is complete, each docent is asked to make a two-year commitment and select one day per week, from September through May, to conduct scheduled tours. In addition, attendance at monthly training meetings is required. Qualified candidates are interviewed and selected based on their ability to communicate information knowledgeably and enthusiastically.

This year there will be two training groups. One group will be focused on school tours and youth education, meeting during the week. The other group will be focusing on adult and speciality event tours, meeting on the weekends and evenings!

Prior experience or an art background is not required. Anyone who has an interest in art and lifelong learning can be a docent. Though Brooks docents are as diverse as the artwork they present, they share the following:

• A love of art

• A passion for learning and teaching

• An ability to communicate effectively

• Enthusiasm, Creativity, and Flexibility

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer docent, call 901-544-6244 or email kate.langley@brooksmuseum.org to fill out a docent application today!