Volunteer docents at The Fralin Museum of Art lead engaging and interactive tours for school groups and community organizations from across the central Virginia region. They also assist with the Museum's special programs, including the annual Writer's Eye competition. 
Community members who are accepted into the program are required to complete the Museum's 11-week Docent Training Course. Participants in the course develop observational skills and knowledge of the elements of art through investigation of the Museum's collections and current exhibitions, and learn public speaking skills and techniques for facilitating tours. New docents complete a qualifying tour at the end of the course and commit to leading tours at The Fralin for at least two years following its completion.
The Museum accepts applications on a rolling basis from community members who wish to become docents, and interviews are conducted prior to the beginning of each Docent Training Course. For information about future docent training opportunities, contact the Docent Coordinator at 434-243-2050 or email.
Continuing education for community docents
After their initial training period, docents receive ongoing education from education staff, curators, and guest speakers on special exhibitions and the permanent collection. As a group, docents occasionally take field trips to other museums. Some docents also attend regional and national docent education conferences.
In fall 2017, Community Docent Education meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 am on:
Meeting Dates
- January 4, 18
- February 1, 15
- March 15, 22, 29
- April 5, 19
