docent program If you are interested in learning more about art, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with the public, and working with people of all ages and backgrounds, you are encouraged to join our group of volunteers. Training courses including art appreciation, art history, tour techniques, and exhibition briefing are offered to docents free of cost.    Frequently asked Questions Q. What is a docent? A. A "docent" is a trained professional volunteer who guides visitors of all ages to greater understanding and enjoyment of museums and their collections. A docent is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic person who acts as a liaison between the Museum and the general public. Q. Do I need an art background to become a docent? A. Absolutely not. Our current group of Docents come from a wide range of backgrounds and departments, including Theatre, Nursing, English, Marketing, Architecture, Business, Art History and Studio Art. Q. What does the training include? A. The training program lasts for a semester. Instruction is held onThursday mornings in the Museum, and generally last from one to two hours. After completion of the training program, Docents attend periodic exhibition orientations led by artists and Museum staff. Q. When can I begin leading tours of the Museum? A. After completion of the training program, which lasts for one semester, you will be ready to become an active touring Docent. Before you know it, you will be sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm about art with the public and helping visitors feel comfortable in our museum. After training, time commitment varies depending upon the number of tours requested and your own schedule. Currently, docents give an average of ten tours a year. Check the Adult Class Schedule for the next docent class.   E-mail Linda at willeke@macniderart.org or call (641) 421-3666 for information on how you can make a difference at the MacNider Art Museum.