The Fralin Student Docents
The Fralin Student Docents are one of the oldest volunteer university student docent programs in the country. Our Student Docents facilitate close-looking with original works of art, gain vital experience as museum educators, and serve the community by leading tours for thousands of area school children every year.
New docents participate in a semester-long training course in dialogic teaching, public speaking, and education theory, and are given ample opportunity to practice these skills. Some knowledge of basic art history is helpful but not required. After the training semester, student docents attend weekly education meetings Fridays from 1-2pm. Docent education meetings vary semester to semester, but always include education specific to the art and exhibitions on view.
The Student Docents are an official UVA student organization operating under the supervision of The Fralin’s education department. Interested students are encouraged to apply by the spring of their second year in order to have at least one full year as an active docent after completing the training course. Rising fourth years will only be accepted to the program if they are planning to stay on for graduate study. Applications are reviewed by the docent coordinator and a committee of student docents.
Docent Training Course
The application cycle for the Fall 2022 Docent Training Course will begin in Late February/Early March 2022.
Students with questions regarding the program can contact the Manager of Docent & Teacher Programs by email with questions.
Student Docent Drop-In Tours
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 pm & Fridays, 2:30-3:15 pm through April 27.
Join UVA students for drop-in tours at The Fralin! These small 45-minute tours are designed to foster community and connection over works on view at the museum. We’ll engage in meaningful conversation over 2-4 objects. UVA students and Charlottesville residents alike are welcome to join. An RSVP is recommended but not required. You can register here for this week’s Wednesday evening tour and here for this week’s Friday afternoon tour. Registrations are accepted on a week-to-week basis. Meet us in the Entrance Gallery of the museum.
