Docents bring art education to museum visitors, students, and the local community through many different programs. In fact, the word “docent” is derived from the Latin word docere meaning “to teach.”
All that’s required to join this group of fun, inquisitive, enthusiastic people is a love of art, a commitment to volunteering, and a desire to learn. The Docent training program spans a 7-month training period and focuses on cultivating touring skills and developing a knowledge of the museum’s collections and historic properties.
Una vez que se convierta en docente, puede optar por dirigir exposiciones y recorridos por galerías, presentar charlas de arte al público, llevar programas de arte a las escuelas locales y ¡mucho más!
Preguntas frecuentes sobre capacitación de docentes
¿Qué cuotas se requieren para participar en el Programa de Capacitación?
The fee for docent training is $300, which includes the fee for membership in the Docent Council, class materials, speaker stipends and related expenses.
Additionally, trainees are required to bring a tablet or laptop to each class session to connect to the TMA wireless network. (Please note that phones are inadequate.) After completion of the Training Program, docents are required to be annual members of the museum as well as annual members of the Docent Council ($40).
¿Qué hace que convertirse en docente de TMA sea una oportunidad única?
El Museo de Arte de Tucson está comprometido con la inclusión, la diversidad, la equidad y el acceso. Nos esforzamos por ser una institución receptiva y centrada en la comunidad. También nos esforzamos por representar, activar y defender a nuestras comunidades. Nos guiamos por los principios de relevancia, comunidad, respeto y reconocimiento de múltiples puntos de vista.
The Class of 2025 will participate in a rigorous training program, learning TMA-adopted visual thinking strategies and open-ended questioning techniques reinforced by voices from our communities. Trainees will engage in role-playing, in-gallery conversations in dialogue with curators, and encounters with community partners. We aim to help all visitors appreciate the museum experience and look forward to subsequent visits.
Our training class prepares volunteers to facilitate a meaningful experience for each visitor; consider a variety of creative perspectives; and serve as museum ambassadors in the museum, community and schools.
¿Cuándo/dónde se reúne la clase?
When training occurs, class meets weekly on Tuesdays on the TMA campus in the Alice Chaiten Baker Art Education Center, which is directly across the plaza from the museum’s main entrance.
¿Dónde puedo estacionar?
In addition to TMA’s parking lot, there is convenient parking nearby: covered garages, parking lots and street parking. See the Parking map at Tucson Downtown Partnership (downtowntucson.org)
¿Cuánto cuesta Docent Training?
Trainees must be TMA members prior to enrolling. The cost of an individual membership is $50. The cost of the class is $300. Those who wish to request tuition assistance may contact Morgan Wells, Director of Education at mwells@tucsonmuseumofart.org. After completion of training, docents are required to be annual members of TMA as well as annual members of the TMA Docent Council ($40 annually).
¿Qué puedo esperar de la formación?
The class will divide into small groups mentored by experienced docents. This group will be your “family” throughout training. Morgan Wells, Director of Education, will oversee the class, augmented by highly experienced docents. Outside speakers may include University of Arizona and Pima Community College faculty, members of Indigenous communities, and other community voices. The class is managed by the vice presidents for training.
¿Qué se espera de mí como aprendiz?
• Asistir a clases semanales, como se describe anteriormente
• Traiga una computadora portátil o computadora a clase cada semana que pueda conectarse con el
red inalámbrica del aula
• Tener acceso a una impresora para prepararse para la clase
• Completar todas las tareas
• Visitas comunitarias y de museos de sombra y co-presentación
• Prepare and deliver assigned tours to classmates
• Learn to prepare Gallery Conversation Starters for all docents’ use when preparing tours
• Attend designated Docent Council Education Meeting
• Asistir a una o más Art Talks impartidas en TMA el segundo domingo del mes
• Preparar y ofrecer un recorrido final de 30 minutos
• Familiarizarse con los diversos programas que ofrece el museo y el Docent Council
• ¡Demostrar disposición para aprender, conocer gente nueva y aportar entusiasmo y una mente abierta a nuestro proceso de formación!
Además de las horas de clase, los alumnos pasan tiempo fuera de clase leyendo, preparando y practicando recorridos y completando tareas.
Cada docente reconoce y acepta que todo el contenido creado por docentes para el Museo de Arte de Tucson (TMA) o en apoyo de esfuerzos programáticos es propiedad intelectual del museo y puede ser utilizado por TMA en cualquier plataforma a perpetuidad.
¿Qué pasa si necesito faltar a una clase?
Si bien se espera que los alumnos asistan y participen en todas las clases y completen todas las tareas de clase, incluidas las visitas guiadas y las excursiones, entendemos que ocurren circunstancias de vida imprevistas. Se espera que los alumnos consulten, con anticipación, con sus mentores de grupos pequeños con respecto a cualquier ausencia.
¿Cuáles son mis obligaciones después de completar la capacitación?
Every year between July 1 and June 30, docents are required to complete 50 hours of service. This includes preparing for and conducting nine tours scheduled by the Education Department and 15 education hours. Education hours can be accrued by attending Art Talks, curator-led tours, TMA lecture events, and monthly Docent Council Education Meetings. Additional service hours can accrue by participating in committees, special projects, and a variety of other activities.
To apply, use the link on this page. For further information, contact TMA Director of Education Morgan Wells: mwells@tucsonmuseumofart.org