Volunteer to become a Docent!

An Ogden Museum of Southern Art docent is a volunteer who leads tours helping visitors to the Museum See the South through the visual arts. Prospective docents should have an interest in art and Southern culture and a desire to interact with adults and children, helping them discover their own interpretations of art. This program will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the making of an art museum and offer an introduction to Southern art, history and culture. The training will include museum techniques and education strategies for engaging museum visitors in meaningful explorations of works of art in the collection and in special exhibitions. Check out our FAQ to learn more.

 

What is an Ogden Museum docent?
Ogden Museum docents are a dedicated group of volunteers who help bring art to life on tours. We believe our docent group members should be as diverse as the people who live in the American South.
Many of our docents continue to volunteer long past the 2 year commitment that we request. Here are some reasons why:
  • Community: Docents come from a variety of backgrounds, but they share a common enthusiasm for art, learning and people.
  • New friends: From fellow volunteers to staff members, docents often make new friends who last a lifetime.
  • Professional development: Public speaking, networking, in-depth training sessions on art, artists and facilitation skills
  • Personal happiness: Spending time with art!

UPCOMING DOCENT TRAINING

The next session of docent training will be held in Winter 2025. Prospective docents should attend all six training sessions.

New Docent training will be held on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The dates are:
  • January  15
  • January  22
  • January  29
  • February  5
  • February  12
  • February  19
To register for Winter 2025 Docent Training, please complete the digital or downloadable docent application. Please email sechaniz@ogdenmuseum.org with any questions or with a completed downloaded form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a docent at The Ogden Museum of Southern Art?
A: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art docent is a volunteer who leads tours helping visitors to the Museum See the South through the visual arts.

Q: Are there any prerequisites for beginning the docent program?
Prospective docents should have an interest in art and Southern culture and a desire to interact with adults and children helping them discover their own interpretations of art.

Q: What is the process to be a docent at The Ogden Museum of Southern Art?
A: Prospective docents must complete and submit the docent application. The prospective docent must also complete the course of docent training, and make a commitment to the Museum for two years, primarily working with school and adult tours, but also specialized tours and group events.

Q: When does training take place?
A: Training sessions are held twice a year in September and January.

Q: What does the training involve?
The six-session training will focus in four areas: 1) aesthetics, techniques for giving tours and the educational mission, 2) Southern art and culture, 3) discussion of specific artists and works in the galleries and 4) practice tours and shadowing.

Q: What is the cost of docent training?
A: There is no cost for docent training.

Q: Once the training has been completed, what kind of time commitment is expected of the docent?
A: Docents are required to give a minimum of two tours per month or volunteer 4 hours at events as gallery docents. Docents should allow 2 hours per tour. Each tour lasts slightly more than one hour, however docents are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to tour. Docents will also attend occasional meetings to discuss logistics, meet artists and learn about changing exhibits and special programs.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art accepts docent applications year round, so please submit your application at any time. If you need any more information please email sechaniz@ogdenmuseum.org

Fill Out Application Online

or

Download Application

and mail to:

Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Attention: Docent Coordinator

Or send completed application via email to sechaniz@ogdenmuseum.org

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