Welcome! This page includes information about:
Docents for Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibitions are tour guides who lead observation- and inquiry-based tours. No formal training or experience is required to become a docent for MoMS exhibitions. Enthusiasm and commitment are the main qualifications needed. Usually, MoMS docents volunteer for the run of the exhibition, but some sites have groups of docents, paid or volunteer, already on staff. However, when the Smithsonian comes to town, you may need to recruit new docents to your existing staff. Many sites have used docent recruitment for MoMS exhibitions to create a docent base that remains an active and valuable asset for the museum. What is the time commitment? Each docent must attend one training session (2-3 hours) and commit to working two (2) shifts. All docents will receive training materials, docent training, and a Museum shirt. What should I expect? You’ll gain valuable skills, learn how to be a docent, and get to work with some fun people. Plus, you’ll be able to say you’ve worked with a Smithsonian exhibition! What does docent training involve? Training workshops are held after the exhibition has been installed, and usually last between two and three hours. This allows plenty of time for reviewing the materials, exploring the exhibition, question-and-answer time, and breaks. Training for Between Fences docents will be provided by Professor Patricia Miller. Ms. Miller is the Executive Director of the Illinois Heritage Association. She is involved in an IMLS National Leadership Grant, "Basics and Beyond" with the University of Illinois Library and the Illinois State Library; has served on the American Association of Museums board 2000-2003, and she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Midwest Museums, 2003. Questions? Call 815.234.5031 or send us an e-mail. |
|
|
Docents |