Above: students take notes during a Writer's Eye tour. Below: "My favorite picture is...because I like the colors and shapes," a third-grader's response to a docent led tour for the special exhibition, The Hand and the Soul: LeWitt, Slutzky, Iliescu.

Docent Program

This year the Museum celebrates the 33rd anniversary of our docent program. Museum docents are trained in the inquiry method and other museum education techniques, and give tours to U.Va. faculty and students, school groups and community organizations throughout the year. Docents also design tours for various groups, from pre-school children to seniors, and run the annual Writer's Eye competition.

The docent program consists of both community docents and U.Va. student docents. After an initial training period, docents have on-going monthly training with curators, guest speakers, and education staff regarding special exhibitions and the permanent collection. As a group, docents occasionally take field trips to other museums. Some docents also attend regional and national docent education conferences.

Free Docent Training Course

Interested in providing tours to Museum visitors? Become a Museum docent! The Museum's required 10-week training course aims to develop visual literacy, including observational skills and knowledge of the elements of art through investigation of the Museum's collections and current exhibitions. Participants develop public speaking skills, learn techniques for facilitating tours, and acquire knowledge of docent-led programs such as Writer's Eye. Participants complete a qualifying tour at the end of the course. This year, one course will be offered for both U.Va. students and community members.

Scheduled docent training courses
Wednesdays, October 28 - December 2 & February 3 - March 3
2-5 pm

The deadline for applications to the Docent Training Course is Friday, October 9, 2009. For an application form, please email the Museum's Education Department or call 434.243.2050.