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, docents attend weekly education meetings Fridays from 1–2pm. Docent education meeting topics 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 Manager of Docent & Teacher Programs and a committee of student docents.
Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization, which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.
Docent Training Course
Docent Selections
Applications are open through March 12. Apply here!
Students with questions regarding the program can email with questions.
- Public Museum Education | Friday, Feb. 20 @ 1 pm
- Interest Tour | Sunday, Feb. 22 @ 1 pm
- Interest Tour | Wednesday, March 11 @ 2 pm
Continuing Education for Student Docents
After their initial training period, student docents attend weekly education meetings that include workshops and lectures by education staff, curators, and guest speakers on special exhibitions and the permanent collection. As a group, docents take annual field trips to other museums.
The Fralin Community Docents
The story of The Fralin Docent Program started in 1975 when Gladys Blizzard led the first docent tour—exploring 19th-century American landscape painting—for a local Girl Scout troop! Today, our wonderful volunteer educators keep that joyful spirit alive by welcoming school and community groups from all across central Virginia for lively, inspiring tours that spark curiosity and connection. As the heart of The Fralin’s educational mission, the docents generously share their time to support field trips and community programs, including the annual Writer's Eye ekphrastic writing competition. Community members can apply online for the 12 to 13-week docent training program during the following application windows:
- Spring Semester Training: Applications are open Oct 1 – Nov 1
- Fall Semester Training: Applications are open May 1 – Jun 1
Applications and interviews take place before the start of the next training semester. The Docent Training Course happens twice a year: Fall (Aug/Sep–December) and Spring (Jan/Feb–April). Training commitment includes 2-hour classes once-a-week over the span of 12–13 weeks with required readings and assignments.
Community Docent Application Link
For questions about upcoming docent opportunities, call 434-243-2050 or email the Manager of the Docent Programs.
The Fralin Volunteer Board
For more than 40 years, The Fralin Volunteer Board has supported the mission of the museum through activities that facilitate educational opportunities, engage members of the University and surrounding communities, and help raise funds for exhibitions and programming. Fralin Volunteer Board members donate their time, talent, and treasure to help the museum connect students, faculty, staff, and the community through the experience of art.
The Volunteer Board is comprised of museum members who are passionate about The Fralin and art. Members are dedicated advocates for the museum and help the museum in many ways. The Board organizes the Museum’s Trips Program and monthly book discussions, opportunities open to Fralin members. The Board also organizes the annual Fashion As Art event. Board members serve as greeters at museum events, work with staff to recruit and retain Fralin Members, create floral arrangements to beautify the museum, and more!
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact The Fralin at [email protected].