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Docent Program is a True Reward AUBURN, Ala.-- Educational activities are often the highest valued programs to be involved with. At the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, the volunteer docents find rewards in personal growth, and the benefit of seeing children of East Alabama learn about art. Docents are supported with classes to hone art history skills, educational techniques and information about the latest, upcoming exhibitions. Docents are volunteers, and interact in a collegial manner with museum staff. Curators and lecturers help train new docents, and continue with regular sessions that further the education of volunteers. Appreciative teachers add another layer of learning. Docents get a chance to be involved with supporting the classroom in a very personal manner. Teachers and docents coordinate to challenge students, leading to higher levels of thought, and developing critical thinking. Each tour offers a new chance to find new meanings of works in the collection, and make connections to personal lives. Seeing visitors come to a deeper understanding about art, and being part of that so-called “a-ha! moment,” is fulfilling for many docents. Linda Silvern summarizes her experience this way, “Being a docent fulfills two goals for me--I am constantly learning and I enjoy helping others find meaning in the art, which increases my own learning. Being a docent is an art in itself, as I help others make connections between the artist, the art, and themselves.” Becoming a docent starts with enrollment in a year-long course held at JCSM. The free class starts with ten weeks of art history training, continues with ten weeks of educational techniques, and finishes with ten weeks of training on the JCSM collection, tour logistics, and how to connect art history facts with age-appropriate activities and questioning strategies. Other topics of interest include adapting to students with special needs, developmental psychology, and the Advancing American Art collection at JCSM. Classes for the docent training program begin September 8, and continue through May. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to register early, but anyone can join the 30-week course through October 1. Please contact Andrew Henley for more information about the docent program at 334-844-8792 or via e-mail: andrew.henley@auburn.edu
CONTACT: Colleen Bourdeau, Marketing and Events Manager
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