Inspire and connect communities through art as a Cincinnati Art Museum docent

The Cincinnati Art Museum is on the hunt for enthusiastic and committed volunteers who want to learn about and share the museum’s unparalleled art collection and special exhibitions.

The museum is accepting applications for a new docent class from May 1–August 30, 2019. In line with its strategic plan, the museum aims to recruit 15–20 docents who will build upon and diversify its current team of 106 active docents.

Cincinnati Art Museum docents are volunteer educators who are more than tour guides. Docents create and facilitate conversation-based tours that make art from around the world more relevant and interesting for visitors. Docents receive a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and in-depth into the museum’s collection and traveling exhibitions. No formal training or experience is required.

Volunteers who are accepted into the Cincinnati Art Museum’s docent program will receive nine months of training led by museum staff, curators and art experts from January–September 2020. The training program, with both daytime and evening options, will include art history, familiarization with the museum’s collection and galleries and visitor interaction best practices. New docents will be required to sign a contract committing to two years of service after the training period. To maintain active docent status, docents must lead 30 tours per year. A weekend docent option is also available, requiring 15 tours per year.

Those interested in learning more about the docent program may attend an information session. The first will be held at the College Hill Recreation Center, 5545 Belmont Ave., on May 16, from 6–7 p.m. Another will be at the LeBlond Recreation Center, 2335 Riverside Dr., on June 19, from 6–7 p.m. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age or older to apply. To obtain an application, visit the museum front desk or our website at cincinnatiartmuseum.org/docentcorps.