Humboldt Docent Council
Founded in 1975, the Humboldt Docent Council is an educational outreach organization of dedicated community members with an interest in learning about and sharing their knowledge of art. The Docent Council provides high quality educational services to assist in the functions of the Museum and promotes interest in the Museum. This group of trained volunteers meets monthly to discuss the current exhibits, to attend lectures by exhibiting artists, to learn more about guiding tours, and to discuss other art-related programs and events. We share a love of art and the wish to inspire art appreciation to students and other groups in our community.
WE GIVE GALLERY TOURS
We guide the interpretation of the art collections to groups of 8 to 10 persons for 30 to 45 minutes. By utilizing a combination of improvisational techniques and creative group discussions, we connect the exhibit material to the tour group based upon age, interest, and sophistication. We also make sure that guests get introduced to the museum building’s history—one of California’s first public libraries!
WE TAK
E ART TO SCHOOLS
We serve hundreds of school children annually with artwork on loan and more than two dozen available art-themed presentations. How? The Humboldt Arts Council’s Art Banks program displays original works by local artists in schools in the spring. In addition, the Docent’s school programs bring talks to classrooms on topics such as individual artists, elements of art, modern art, prehistoric cave art, masks, and African-American and Latin American art. Art makes a difference in the lives of children!
WE PROVIDE OUTREACH PROGRAMS
We’re expanding our community outreach. In 2009, we initiated a program for local patients of dementia. Based upon the MoMA Alzheimer’s Project in New York City, our museum staff and docent council leaders offer a three part program that includes customized museum tours, Alzheimer Center art talks, and hands-on art projects with an artist-in-residence. Artwork by center clients is exhibited at the museum.
For more information about the Humboldt Docent Council, download brochure here or email docents@humboldtarts.org
TEACHERS:
For information about programs offered for your classroom, please download Docent Programs Brochure here