New Nerman Museum Docent Training Class

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Nerman docents lead interactive tours, encouraging visitors to appreciate and understand contemporary art in our special exhibitions and in the permanent collection on view throughout campus. In addition to serving JCCC staff, faculty and students, docents work with the Nerman staff as a team to welcome school children, community groups, and the general public to the museum and campus, and to pursue the educational mission of our institution. Apply online at http://www.nermanmuseum.org/join/volunteer.html

REQUIRED SKILLS and QUALITIES

• Strong interest in teaching others.
• Commitment to enhancing visitors’ experience with the art.
• Interest in contemporary art, open to learning about challenging issues.
• Good speaking skills.
• Good listening skills/ability to respond to visitors’ questions and comments in a sensitive manner.
• Punctuality, availability to attend initial training sessions and continuing education.
• Ability to move quickly and assuredly along the tour route, involving transitioning between multiple floors, traversing numerous buildings, and making stops both in and outside throughout campus.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Previous teaching or customer service work.
• Previous involvement in a cultural institution.
• Previous volunteer work with a long-term commitment.
• Experience interacting with various age groups: seniors, adults, teenagers, and elementary-school-aged children.
• Familiarity with the JCCC campus.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE DOCENTS

1. Turn in a completed and signed Docent Application, reference called, and attend a 30-minute interview.
2. Give a 2-year minimum commitment, including 3 months to 1 year of training prior to giving tours.
3. Participate in the initial training class with 90-min. meetings twice a week for 12 weeks, make up work as needed.
4. Turn in a completed and signed JCCC Volunteer Application and Code of Conduct.

After completing the initial training class:

1. Participate in ongoing 90-min. continuing ed. training meetings held approximately every other week May through November (no meetings during college holiday breaks).
2. Observe several tours and give a practice tour for a small group of NMCA volunteers.
3. Lead at least one team tour alongside an active docent.
4. Turn in completed self-assessment forms after every team tour and every solo tour.
5. Be ready and available to give solo tours by the summer of 2019.
6. Participate actively in training and give tours regularly, accruing a minimum of 40 participation points annually (approximately 15 tours). Occasional event and program assistance will be appreciated, so all docents-in-training will be scheduled to shadow a Visitor Services Assistant for a 1-hour shift to facilitate informal learning in the museum.