Gallery Program Volunteer Description

Docents in the Gallery Program provide guided experiences in the Museum’s permanent and changing exhibitions. Tours are provided to visitors from varied backgrounds, age levels and abilities.

Guided School Tours

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School tours instill passion for learning about art, history and community. 

Students from area schools are the primary audience. Pre-scheduled groups visit throughout the year (including summer). Most visiting school groups are in 2nd – 5th grades, however we try to accommodate as many interested groups as we can. School tours are designed to instill passion for learning about art, history and community, help students understand the world around them and their place within it and enhance the school curriculum through first hand experiences with objects of historic and artistic value.

Tours of up to 60 students are typically scheduled Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and vary from one to one and half hours. Docents give tours as part of a team of five to seven volunteers. As part of the team, docents share responsibility in the planning and logistics of the tour.

Guided Public Tours

Docents provide scheduled and drop in tours for the general visiting public on the museum’s permanent and changing exhibition. One hour guided tours of the museum’s changing exhibitions are offered without reservations on Tuesday – Sunday at 2 p.m. Special tours are also arranged at various times.

Time Commitment for Gallery Docent Program

Docents in the Gallery Program are scheduled for a two-hour shift every two weeks throughout the year. Docents are required to attend ongoing training on the Museum’s changing exhibitions. These trainings are scheduled on Monday morning from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. as needed.

Requirements for the Gallery Docent Program

Successful completion of training required. New Docent trainings take place on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. from the week after Labor Day until the week before Memorial Day. After successful completion of the initial training, attendance of ongoing training for the Museum’s exhibition is expected.

Docents must have the ability to stand, walk or move around the Museum and its grounds for up to two hours. Albuquerque Museum requires all volunteers to pass a background check.

Reports To

The docent program is managed and operated by the Museum’s Education Division, which includes the curator of education, associate curator of education, and education assistant. Volunteer and assistant coordinators are docent leaders who work with Museum staff in support of the docent program.

Other Special Programs for Gallery Docents

Art Start

Art Start is a program introducing 4-year-old students to art in a museum setting. Art Start docents provide engaging experiences in the museum’s galleries that include movement, storytelling and hands on activities designed for young learners. Up to 20 students are accommodated for these 45 minute tours. Tours are currently scheduled at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays twice a month and on Thursdays once a month.

Docents must complete the Gallery training program before becoming an Art Start Docent. Completion of a mandatory training is also required.

Sculpture Garden

Now encompassing over 60 pieces, this primarily outdoor tour explores various themes, media, and techniques by prominent regional sculptors. One hour, guided tours are available to visitors without reservations on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. from March – November, weather permitting. Occasional school tours and special tours are also scheduled.

Docents who have completed the Gallery training program are eligible to become Sculpture Garden docents. Interested docents must successfully complete the required training. Once the training is complete docents are expected to give a minimum of one tour a month and attend refresher sessions as provided. Sculpture garden tours are primarily outdoors and subject to varied weather conditions.