The Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle are recruiting volunteer docents to conduct tours and programs for children and adults in the two Springfield Art Museums and in the Springfield Science Museum.
Docents are volunteer museum educators. New docents will attend classes to learn about the museum exhibits and techniques for sharing that knowledge with visitors, especially school groups. Some experience working with children and adults is required.
Applications are being accepted immediately for weekly docent training classes that will begin in September. Separate series of training classes will be held for those who are interested in volunteering at the Science Museum and those who would like to assist in the Art Museums.
Science Museum classes will be held Wednesdays from 2-3:30 pm, and Art Museum classes will be held on Tuesdays from 1:30-3 pm. Training ends in the winter, and new docents will begin to lead tours and programs in early spring. Most school group tours are held on mornings from Tuesday through Friday. Adult tours are also offered on weekends.
In return for their service, docents receive a free, high-quality training program in either science or art led by curators, scholars, and museum educators; Museum Store discounts; discounts on Museum School courses; free admission to selected programs; invitations to docent social events and more.
Volunteers interested in becoming a docent at the Science Museum should contact Katie Merrill, 413.263.6800, ext. 331, or kmerrill@springfieldmuseums.org. Those interested becoming an art docent should contact Larissa Murray, 413.263.6800, ext. 386, or lmurray@springfieldmuseums.org.
Printable Art Docent Application
Printable Science Docent Application