National Docents Symposium Council

Interchange

New Articles in the Series (May/June/July 2018)

Inclusion and Diversity - Creating space for multiple and diverse voices

Cultural institutions across North America are working to diversify their audiences and become more inclusive and welcoming places for everyone. The role of the docent or guide is becoming more dynamic. We hope that these articles will provide you with ideas and examples on the training, touring and engagement skills required in this new vision of a cultural place.

New Articles about Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives:

Two Museums in the Heart of Los Angeles: Mina Shea, the president of the NDSC shares her visit at two cultural institutions where "inclusion and diversity" are an integral part of their institutions and exhibitions. Read it here.

Museum Tours for Students who have Autism: Full-inclusion classrooms as well as special programs bring students into the museum who present challenges different from those we may have seen on our tours in the past. Deb Hansen, a docent at the Des Moines Art Center, provides lots of useful information, tips, and resources. Read it here.

In St. Louis and Baltimore Docent Groups participated in forums on "Inclusivity"

• The Docent Council of Metropolitan St. Louis participated in an "Accessibility and Inclusivity Forum." Gin Wachter, a docent at the St. Louis Art Museum summarizes the forum and explains follow-up steps St. Louis organizations have taken. Read it here.

• Creating Cultural Contexts: The Walters Art Museum sponsored a series of lectures which challenge docents to consider how they can do more to make sure that all visitors to the museum feel welcome, represented and understood. Sheila Vidmar, a docent at the Walters explains. Read it here.

Find all articles on inclusion and diversity here

We welcome your docent ideas and experiences. Share them by:

-- submitting an article to info@nationaldocents.org

-- joining the National Docents Forum Facebook group, an interactive forum for docents and guides.

Mina Shea, President, National Docent Symposium Council

Insight from the Council

Madelyn Mayberry, Vice President, National Docent Symposium Council (June 2018)

The Directors of the National Docent Symposium Council (NDSC) not only are active docents in their respective cultural institutions but they are frequent and ongoing participants in the symposia over many years. They offer their insight from their experiences at the symposia and how the NDSC offers cultural institutions throughout the United States and Canada an excellent forum for the exchange of new ideas and best practices.

Thinking about submitting a proposal for a presentation at the next symposium to be held in Washington D.C. in 2019? Get some insider tips from the National Docent Symposium Council members who have attended and benefited from numerous symposia. Our Vice President, Madelyn Mayberry offers her insight on What Makes a Great Breakout Session?

Traveling Docents

Sasanian gold necklace with king and flanking lions carved in lapis lazuli, 5th c.||

New Contribution (July 2018)

Many docents are adventurous travelers. We continue a series on docent travels to unique places and interesting museums with a visit to the Iran National Museum, Tehran. Read it here.

The Docent Handbook 2 – Special Discount to Staff/Educators

Limited Time Offer: August & September 2018

For details, click HERE

The revised edition of our popular docent handbook - The Docent Handbook 2 - is now available for purchase. This valuable resource for docents, guides and interpreters from museums and cultural institutions of all types in the US and Canada is a stimulating and informative "nuts and bolts" manual.

Read what purchasers have to say about The Docent Handbook 2

For more information and ordering instructions, click this LINK