Volunteer Posting

Museum Docent

Volunteer, Hours Vary (25-35 hours of initial training, plus 2-3 hours per month)

Reports to:  Curator of Learning and Community Engagement

Museum Docents are specially trained volunteers who facilitate educational tour experiences for visiting groups of all ages and abilities. Working with groups in the galleries, docents use inquiry, discussion and interactive strategies to help people make personal connections with the artworks. Docents are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, excellent communicators who respect all viewpoints.

Responsibilities: 

  • Interpret and communicate the museum’s collection and exhibitions in ways that are accessible, inclusive, and engaging for diverse audiences, including school groups, families, and general visitors.

  • Foster curiosity and critical thinking by encouraging dialogue and inquiry during tours, helping visitors make personal and meaningful connections with artworks.

  • Serve as a cultural ambassador by representing the museum’s values of education, inclusivity, and community engagement during public interactions.

  • Contribute to a welcoming and inclusive visitor experience, ensuring all guests feel respected, heard, and empowered to engage with the art.

  • Engage in ongoing learning and professional development to deepen understanding of art history, museum education strategies, cultural competence, and accessibility practices.

  • Represent the museum in a friendly, respectful, and professional manner

Position Specifics: 

  • 25-35 hours of initial training, plus 2-3 hours per month 

  • Ability to commit to the docent program for at least one full year of service upon completion of training.

  • Ability to stand and walk a group around the museum for an hour or more (you can/will sit some during the tour itself.)  

  • Flexibility to lead school field trips on weekdays between 9am-3pm, and lead other types of tours on weekends and some evenings.  

  • Stay informed about the exhibitions and collections at MMAM. 

  • Work location: one location, at MMAM

Benefits:

  • Participate in building creative capacity in our children. Create “a-ha” moments!

  • Meet other docents who share your passion for connecting people with art.

  • Enjoy a 10% off discount in the MMAM Store. (MMAM members receive an additional 10% off)

  • Enjoy 20% off basic level MMAM memberships.

  • Docents will be paid $20 per K-12 school field trip tour (training time not included.)  

You’ll likely demonstrate: 

  • Strong communication and listening skills, including the ability to facilitate inclusive, respectful conversations that encourage participation and honor diverse perspectives.

  • A learner’s mindset and openness to feedback, continually seeking to grow in their understanding of art, audiences, and educational strategies.

  • Confidence when speaking in public, while remaining approachable, collaborative, and non-authoritative in tone.

  • The ability to “read the room”, adjusting pacing, tone, or content delivery based on audience engagement and energy.

  • A sense of curiosity and wonder, modeling enthusiasm for discovery and helping visitors feel welcome exploring ideas and emotions through art.

  • Reliability and professionalism, maintaining commitments, communicating effectively with museum staff, and upholding museum policies and values.

  • Interest in art and museums is encouraged but not required.

Required:

  • Reliable transportation.  

  • Must use email.  All tours are assigned and managed through a volunteer software program called “SignUpGenius” so access to a device with reliable internet is required. We will share resources in a docent library on Google Drive, so a gmail address is helpful. 

  • All prospective docents must train first as a volunteer Greeter. This role requires a 90-minute orientation training, and five hours of volunteer service before the start of the docent class. 

  • Attend monthly continuing education docent classes at MMAM to learn about new exhibitions and refine touring strategies. These sessions occur on the third Thursday of every month from 10am-Noon. 

  • Lead at least three tours a year to retain an active docent status. 

  • Be culturally sensitive and empathetic to the needs of all individuals.

  • Pass a criminal background check 

  • Adhere to MMAMs Code of Conduct

Initial Training and Application Process:

Attend each of the ten docent training classes over a four week period. We are planning to meet from 10am-Noon during the months of February and March in 2026 on the following days: 

Required training days:

  • Tuesday, February 3, 2026

  • Thursday, February 5, 2026

  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026 [school field trip week]

  • Thursday, February 12, 2026 [school field trip week]

  • Tuesday, February 17, 2026

  • Wednesday, February 18, 2026

  • Thursday, February, 19, 2026

  • Tuesday, March 3, 2026

  • Thursday, March 5, 2026

  • Tuesday, March 17, 2026 [snow date]

  • Thursday, March 19, 2026 [graduation]

  • **possible field trip week March 24-27

  • Dates are subject to change 

Values - This person is a champion of:

  • Centering their work in Relationships and Collaboration.  

  • Stewarding Sustainability, Equity and Hospitality.

  • Operating with Honesty, Transparency and Trust.

  • Being Bold and Brave.

  • Always Enterprising, Always Outstanding.

The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is committed to being an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals.  The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer and will consider requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs possible without undue hardship.


Mission

To create meaningful art experiences that explore our relationship with water.

Vision 

To spark wonder and create a more compassionate and connected world for all. 

About

Before there ever was a Minnesota Marine Art Museum, there was a Maritime Heritage Society, a community group dedicated to preserving and sharing stories about life on the river. Their commitment set in motion the creation of a museum to showcase art inspired by water. MMAM opened in 2006 with the vision of creating a nationally recognized center for arts and culture in Southeast Minnesota. The initial collections consisted of traditional marine paintings and regional folk art. After expanding the quality and diversity of its collections, evolving the exhibition program, adding an annual roster of educational programs and temporary exhibitions, and enlarging its facility, today’s MMAM is a dynamic and surprising experience for tens of thousands of visitors a year.

MMAM operates from Mni Sota Makoce (Land Where the Waters Reflect The Clouds), the traditional homeland of the Dakota people. Residing here since time immemorial, Dakota still call Mni Sota Makoce home, with four federally recognized Dakota nations and many more Dakota people residing in what is now the state of Minnesota. Due to continued legacies of colonization,  genocide and forced removal, generations of Dakota people remain disenfranchised from their traditional homeland.  Presently, Mni Sota Makoce has become a refuge and home for many Indigenous nations and peoples, including seven federally recognized Ojibwe nations.  We humbly encourage our audiences to reflect upon the historical legacies held in the lands they occupy.  

MMAM is committed to actively staying informed and participating in meaningful and sustainable climate action. As we explore our relationship with water, we will uphold the responsibility that cultural/social institutions have to be a resource for building climate resilience through our operations, development, enterprising and engagement efforts. Through connections driven by intention, we strive to be a community asset centered on diversity, inclusion, art, and science.

To Apply

Register for the 2026 Museum Docent Training Program by January 15, 2026.  Email Heather Casper at hcasper@mmam.org to request the application (a short Google Form.)