Ogden Docent Opportunities
Be a key member of the Ogden team by serving as a Docent.
Please contact Ellen Balkin at ebalkin@ogdenmuseum.org for the next training session.
Application Process
Please download the docent application and agreement
and mail to:
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Attention: Ellen Balkin
Applications may be sent in any time. If
you would like an application sent to you or need additional information,
please call 504-539-9608 or e-mail .
Download Docent Application PDF
Docent Training
An Ogden Museum of Southern Art docent is a person who leads tours helping visitors to the museum "see the South" through the visual arts and in the context of literature, music, food and more. Prospective docents should have an interest in art and Southern culture and a desire to interact with adults and children helping them discover their own interpretations of art. This intensive program will give you a behind-the-scenes of the making of an art museum and provide you with a thorough introduction to Southern art, history, and culture. The training will include museum techniques and education strategies for engaging museum visitors in meaningful explorations of works of art in the collection and special exhibitions.
New Docent Training
Tuesdays, January 15, 22, 29 and February 5 - 10 a.m. to noon
For more information or to RSVP email Ellen Balkin at .
Download Docent Application PDF
To register for the class, please download the Docent application and agreement and mail to:
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art 925 Camp Street New Orleans, LA 70130:Attention: Ellen Balkin
Docent Facts
What is a docent at The Ogden Museum of Southern Art?
The OMSA docent is a person who leads tours helping visitors to The Museum "see the South" through the visual arts and in the context of its literature, music, food and more.
Are there any prerequisites for beginning the docent program?
Prospective docents should have an interest in art and Southern culture and a desire to interact with adults and children helping them discover their own interpretations of art.
What is the process to be a docent at The Ogden Museum of Southern Art?
Prospective docents must complete the docent application and participate in an interview with Museum staff. The prospective docent must complete the course of docent training, and make a commitment to the Museum for two years, primarily working with school and adult tours, but also specialized tours and group events.
When does training take place?
Training sessions are held twice a year in September and January.
What does the training involve?
Training will focus in three areas: 1) aesthetics, museum studies and the educational mission, 2) Southern art, history and culture, 3) discussion of specific artists and works in the galleries, 4) and practice tours and shadowing. The training will be conducted in an interactive form with discussion and activities designed to create meaningful learning experiences. Through group discussion and engaging dialogue, the training models the Museum's philosophy concerning tours. Docents are expected to interact with guests using inquiry and conversation, rather than lecture. Practice tours and opportunities for shadowing the founding docents as they conduct tours are provided to instill a comfort level that allows docents to enthusiastically lead tours. Docents will also participate in the docent book club, which creates links between Southern literature and works of art in The Museum and provides a deeper understanding of both.
What is the cost of docent training?
There is no cost for docent training.
Once the training has been completed, what kind of time commitment is expected of the docent?
Docents are required to give a minimum of two tours a month or volunteer 4 hours at events as gallery docents. Docents should allow 2 hours per tour. Each tour lasts slightly more than one hour, however docents are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to tour. Docents will also attend monthly meetings to discuss logistics, meet artists, participate in docent book club and learn about changing exhibits and special programs.
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