Volunteer Docent

Storm King Art Center • New Windsor, NY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Storm King Art Center’s Volunteer Docents support the Center’s educational mission by facilitating public and adult group tours and assisting with public programs and events. Docents are specially trained through an intensive course covering museum education best practices and Storm King’s operations, history, landscape, collection, and exhibitions. Training begins with a meeting in December, followed by weekly Tuesday meetings in February and March. Candidates who complete training must lead an observed test tour successfully before joining the docent corps. Docents commit to at least one year of volunteer service, including regular Tuesday morning meetings, ongoing learning opportunities, and a minimum of eight tours per season. Tours are typically scheduled on weekday and weekend afternoons during Storm King’s open season, April through November.

Requirements

• Enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.
• Ability to lead hour-long outdoor tours in variable weather on hills, grass, and pathways.
• Affable disposition and impeccable reliability when working with the public.
• A love for Storm King.
• Commitment to at least one year of volunteer service.

Nice To Haves

• Background or interest in modern and contemporary art and/or landscape design.
• Fluency in other languages, especially Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate public and adult group tours.
• Assist with public programs and events.
• Attend regular Tuesday morning meetings, approximately ten per year, and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Lead at least eight tours per season, typically during weekday and weekend afternoons in the open season.
• Complete the intensive training course and successfully lead an observed test tour before joining the docent corps.
• Commit to at least one year of volunteer service.

Benefits

• Complimentary admission to Storm King for the docent and guests.
• Reciprocal admission to other institutions.
• Discounts at the Museum Store and Outdoor Cafe.
• Participation in a social learning community of more than 20 volunteers.
• Special behind-the-scenes tours, talks, and workshops at Storm King.
• Trips to fabricators’ and artists’ studios and expeditions to other museums.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed