“Anyone who loves art, learning, and people would love to be a docent at the McNay.”
–Mary Hogan, McNay docent class of 2012
“Bringing school age children is my soul singing as their eyes glisten knowing these works of art are authentic, and they have an opportunity to see their own visions of past techniques and the possibility of presenting their talents for the future. The children’s visits and tours fill my heart.”
–Irene Burns, McNay docent class of 2012
The term literally translates as ‘teacher’. McNay docents engage students on tours, which are an essential component of the McNay Mission: to engage a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts.
Offer student and adult tour experiences primarily on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings; but tours are also offered on weekends and Thursday evenings.
Typically, 45 minutes to an hour in length depending on the age group. Tours involve sharing information about a work of art and allowing for questions about art. Questions invite the McNay visitors to think, compare, and evaluate the ideas that are exchanged, and all these thought processes lead to new understanding and insights about art. Learning (and touring) takes place through conversation.
“One of the most rewarding things about being a docent is connecting with museum visitors through a dialogue about works of art. Never underestimate what can happen in the span of a tour.”
New docent training (NDT) requires a significant commitment at the outset. Training sessions take place twice a week, or about four to five hours weekly, starting in late summer/early fall and going through March of the following year. Training consists of class time where we study art history, especially as it pertains to the McNay’s collection; and time spent in the museum’s galleries learning about touring strategies with works in our collection. Jenelle Esparza, the McNay’s Head of Education, teaches the class, but museum curators, staff, fellow docents, and guest speakers assist with training. After training is complete, all new docents commit to monthly training sessions and three half-days of continuing education in Spring and Fall when the museum opens new exhibitions.
“My love of art grew in ways I never could have imagined after going through docent training.”
Founded in 1964 by a small group of Junior League SA volunteers led by Peggy Pitman Mays and Marcia King, the McNay docent program has a long history of commitment and training that has expanded accordingly as the museum and its collection has grown over the years.
Applications for the 2025-26 class of docents are now closed. Please check back later for information about joining the next class of docents. For more information, email education@mcnayart.org.
The term literally translates as ‘teacher’. McNay docents engage students on tours, which are an essential component of the McNay Mission: to engage a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts.
Offer student and adult tour experiences primarily on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings; but tours are also offered on weekends and Thursday evenings.
Typically, 45 minutes to an hour in length depending on the age group. Tours involve sharing information about a work of art and allowing for questions about art. Questions invite the McNay visitors to think, compare, and evaluate the ideas that are exchanged, and all these thought processes lead to new understanding and insights about art. Learning (and touring) takes place through conversation.
“One of the most rewarding things about being a docent is connecting with museum visitors through a dialogue about works of art. Never underestimate what can happen in the span of a tour.”
New docent training (NDT) requires a significant commitment at the outset. Training sessions take place twice a week, or about four to five hours weekly, starting in late summer/early fall and going through March of the following year. Training consists of class time where we study art history, especially as it pertains to the McNay’s collection; and time spent in the museum’s galleries learning about touring strategies with works in our collection. Jenelle Esparza, the McNay’s Head of Education, teaches the class, but museum curators, staff, fellow docents, and guest speakers assist with training. After training is complete, all new docents commit to monthly training sessions and three half-days of continuing education in Spring and Fall when the museum opens new exhibitions.
“My love of art grew in ways I never could have imagined after going through docent training.”
Founded in 1964 by a small group of Junior League SA volunteers led by Peggy Pitman Mays and Marcia King, the McNay docent program has a long history of commitment and training that has expanded accordingly as the museum and its collection has grown over the years.
Applications for the 2025-26 class of docents are now closed. Please check back later for information about joining the next class of docents. For more information, email education@mcnayart.org.
Applications for the 2025-26 class of docents are now closed. Please check back later for information about joining the next class of docents. For more information, email education@mcnayart.org.
