(Volunteer) Museum Public Tour Guide at The Museum of Arts and Design

About the job

MAD champions contemporary makers across creative fields, presenting artists, designers, and artisans who apply the highest level of ingenuity and skill to their work. Since the Museum’s founding in 1956 by philanthropist and visionary Aileen Osborn Webb, MAD has celebrated all facets of making and the creative processes by which materials are transformed, from traditional techniques to cutting-edge technologies. Today, the Museum’s curatorial program builds upon a rich history of exhibitions that emphasize a cross-disciplinary approach to art and design, and reveals the workmanship behind the objects and environments that shape our everyday lives. MAD provides an international platform for practitioners who are influencing the direction of cultural production and driving 21st-century innovation, fostering a participatory setting for visitors to have direct encounters with skilled making and compelling works of art and design.

Become a MAD Docent

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is currently recruiting volunteer docents from a range of backgrounds to facilitate gallery tours for adult audiences. Docents are at the forefront of MAD’s commitment to bring visitors together in dialogue to discover connections between artworks, exhibitions, and lived experiences. They are part of a vibrant community of lifelong learners as they navigate an active schedule of changing exhibitions that document current and historic innovation in art, craft, and design and champion contemporary makers across creative fields.

Who are we looking for?

Candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. MAD is seeking applicants who possess

  • An interest in being a community ambassador to MAD, and are dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for museum visitors.
  • Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills. Prior teaching experience is a plus, but not required.
  • Enthusiastic interest in and appreciation for contemporary art, design, and creative processes.
  • The ability to conduct and apply research and teaching strategies, though no prior experience in art, history, or education is required.
  • Flexibility, responsibility, and a desire to work with others.
  • Excellent computer, Internet research, and written communication skills. Experience with Google Drive a plus.

Docent Benefits Include

  • Ongoing opportunities for exploring art and culture through lectures and workshops led by museum curators, artists, scholars, and educators
  • Discounts to The Store and public programs at MAD
  • Waived or discounted admission to museums and cultural institutions throughout New York City
  • Opportunity to deepen their relationship with their community

Expectations of Docents

  • Conduct a minimum of 28 gallery tours per year (equating to 2-3 tours per month).
  • Attend monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month from 1 00 to 3 00 pm.
  • Attend additional trainings on weekdays during Museum hours (10 00 am to 6 00 pm). Recordings of curatorial trainings are available for docents with limited weekday availability.
  • Assist with research preparation when needed.

Prospective docents must

  • Agree to a minimum two-year commitment to the Docent Corps (Fall 2022-Summer 2024).
  • Be available to lead hour-long tours starting at 11 30 am and/or 2 30 pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays. The public tour schedule is currently not fixed, so varied availability is appreciated.
  • Participate in an 8-session new docent training program (details below).

Prospective docent training

Prospective docents participate in a mandatory 8-session new docent training program, which takes place on the following Thursdays from 1 00 to 3 00 pm at MAD

  • Sept 22
  • Sept 29
  • Oct 6
  • Oct 13
  • Oct 20
  • Oct 27
  • Nov 3
  • Nov 10

Following the 8-week training and certification tour, docents will begin touring in December and attend in-person docent training on the first Monday of every month.

APPLY

Download and email a completed copy of the application form to: education@madmuseum.org.

Applications are due Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Finalists will be interviewed in-person at MAD between September 9-16.This is a volunteer opportunity provided by VolunteerMatch, in partnership with LinkedIn for Good.

Desired Skills and Experience

This position requires the following skills: Adult Education, General Education, Storytelling, Teaching / Instruction, Tutoring, Visual Arts