Student Guide Program Fall 2024

What do we do? Student Guides research, develop, and lead their own tours on special exhibitions and the permanent collections using inquiry-based touring strategies to facilitate visitor experiences with art. Student Guides will also assist with both in-person and virtual public programs at the Davis and may have the opportunity to create pre-recorded videos.

Why do we do it? Students join the Student Guide program because they are enthusiastic about sharing art and the Davis with others. Participation in the Student Guide program has many other benefits, including:

• Behind-the-scenes experiences with Davis Museum curators and staff
• Excellent preparation for arts, museum, and education careers
• Training in object-based and informal learning
• Fun and interesting way to meet and collaborate with fellow students

How do we do it? Student Guides receive regular training on the collections, temporary exhibitions, museum education theory, and touring strategies from Davis Museum curators and staff.

Student Guides in the program will participate in both year-long basic training and ongoing special exhibitions training. At the end of the first semester, new Student Guides are required to research and present an object from the permanent collection to their peers. New Student Guides will shadow tours and their training will culminate in the presentation of a 30-minute long practice tour to peers and museum staff at the end of the second semester.

New and Returning Student Guides are paid for training, tour preparation, leading tours, and facilitating programs.

• First year: $15.00/hr
• Second year: $15.50/hr
• Third year: $16.00/hr
• Fourth year: $16.50/hr

Student Guides will be paid for up to 2 hours of preparation time per tour to include both research and practice in the galleries. Student Guides will also be paid 1-1.5 hours to lead a tour.

When do we do it? All Student Guides participate in weekly training sessions during the academic year. Trained Student Guides also participate in ongoing weekly training sessions in a leadership role during the academic year. Training time and day are Thursdays from 12:45-2:10pm. All Student Guides must be available during this time.

Trained Student Guides sign up to lead tours based on their availability and they must complete at least two tours per semester to remain in the program (with the exception of those studying abroad who have already completed their training).

When hiring, applications will be available on Workday.

Questions? Contact Dr.Semente at ap120@wellesley.edu or call 781.283.2045