University of Oregon Museum of Art Docent Program

EXHIBITION INTERPRETER
PROGRAM

The Exhibition Interpreter program upholds and furthers the mission of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art by:

- Welcoming and creating a positive, engaging museum experience for our visitors
- Interacting with visitors in a respectful and responsive way
- Empowering visitors to discover the world around them through art and culture
- Creating an environment that enables our visitors to make personal connections with art
- Communicating ideas about art that are responsive to the diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds of our visitors
- Keeping our teaching and touring approach relevant, informed, and fresh

Core Values
- Placing the visitor at the center of the museum and its activities
- Advancing the mission of the museum
- Conveying the important role of art and culture in our daily lives
- Respecting and valuing the museum’s diverse communities and constituents
- Supporting the role of education and learning in all aspects of our work
- Working together to achieve the best outcome possible
- Upholding high professional standards and ethical principles

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an Exhibition Interpreter?
An Exhibition Interpreter is a teacher who engages visitors of all ages and backgrounds in an active exploration of artworks from a wide range of cultures and time periods. Exhibition Interpreters are also known as docents. The word "docent" is derived from the Latin word docere meaning "to teach" or “to lead.”

What do Exhibition Interpreters do?
As representatives of the museum to the public, Exhibition Interpreters are a valuable and integral part of the museum team. Exhibition Interpreters contribute to the Museum of Art in several ways:

Tours:
Exhibition Interpreters facilitate conversations about art, culture, and various issues with children and adults visiting the art museum.

Visits:
Exhibition Interpreters provide visits to schools before a tour at the museum in order to prepare students for what they will see in the galleries.

Art Lectures:
Exhibition Interpreters present talks to schools, community groups, and senior citizen centers throughout the Eugene/Springfield area using museum resources such as slides and outreach objects.

Research:
Exhibition Interpreters prepare background information on museum exhibitions and acquisitions for training fellow interpreters to provide tours, outreach visits, and lectures.

Becoming an Exhibition Interpreter can be a truly rewarding experience. Exhibition Interpreters enjoy the opportunity to intellectually challenge themselves in an atmosphere that values human creativity and spirit. The thrill of learning the collection and tour techniques is combined with the joy that comes when a visitor is enlightened by their museum experience.

Are there any requirements?
All that is needed is a love for sharing art with visitors and a commitment to our program and educational mission. Guides come to the program with diverse backgrounds and only a few have a degree in art or art history.

What does the program training involve?
The twelve-month training program begins in April and involves training in museum education, the elements of art, art history, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art's collection. Trainees develop public speaking and inquiry-based discussion skills, attend workshops on learning styles and visual thinking strategies, and learn tour presentations.

In addition to regularly scheduled training sessions, additional hours are required each week for research, reading assignments, preparation of writing and speaking assignments, and observation of other guides as they tour the museum and speak in the community. Exhibition Interpreters also attend continuing education lectures.

How much does it cost?
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Membership is required for the Exhibition Interpreter program. Incoming interpreters pay $50 for books and training materials during their training year. After interpreters have completed their first year of training, annual dues are $25 a year to cover the cost of additional training materials. Scholarships are available.

The Education Department at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art trains a new Exhibition Interpreter class every year. For questions regarding the program, please contact Ben Brinkley, Museum Educator for School Programs, at (541) 346-0910 or brinkley@uoregon.edu.