Henry Art Gallery Recruiting Letter
A background in art, art history, art education or docent training is helpful, but the main requirements are enthusiasm for modern and contemporary art (the museum’s mission) and an ability to share that with others.
Tour Outline
Most tours are offered at the Henry Tuesday – Friday throughout the day. Tours are also given Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Guides may make themselves available for touring according to their schedule, but keep in mind that if you wish to work with children*, the majority of them will be coming in the mornings on weekdays. Tours last 60 minutes, and include both an exploration of selected artworks, and for school groups, a gallery project. Guides may give up to two tours in a row without a break, except under unusual circumstances. Please note that if you work fulltime it is still possible to be an exhibition guide at the Henry. Some tours occur after working hours and on weekends.
Application
All interested individuals are invited to apply to be an exhibition guide. The Henry encourages and welcomes a diversity of opinions and backgrounds. We wish to form an exciting and enthusiastic corps of guides from all walks of life.
Requirements
As applications are reviewed, the education staff will be looking for the following:
- An ability to speak articulately and teach creatively. An inventive mind can bring life and fun to your tour. A willingness to teach using the visual thinking process is essential.
- Flexibility. Although the curatorial focus at the Henry is on modern and contemporary art, exhibitions range from historical shows that include work from the 19th century to retrospectives of the modern period. Special exhibitions change every three months, and the collections are hung periodically. Tours are needed for both the collections and the special exhibitions.
- Dependability. Guides are expected to arrive a little early for their tour, and not to cancel unless there is an emergency.
- Ability to commit to the program. Involvement in the exhibition guide program both during training and after is demanding. Guides are expected to make a two-year commitment which combines training and subsequent work as a guide.
- Previous art background, or a willingness to develop one. Although past coursework in art or art history or docent training is not required to start the program, it is strongly recommended that guides complete one year of an art history survey to complement the training at the Henry. Guides are also encouraged to extend their training by continuously visiting other museums and galleries in the region.
Exhibition guide training consists of ten sessions, scheduled every Tuesday, January 14th-March 18, 2003 from 12:30-2:30pm, in the Henry Art Gallery Auditorium and galleries. Two absences are permitted.
Sincerely,
Curator of Education Henry Art Gallery
Name ____________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________ State ___________ Zip ______________
Telephone (day) ________________________ (eve) ______________________________
Email ___________________________________________
I am available to tour during these days and hours:
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My background in studio art, art history or art education is:
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My background in teaching is:
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Reasons why I am interested in becoming an exhibition guide:
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I have read the requirements of the program and am able to meet them to the best of my ability.
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Signature date