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  • 1.  New Ways to Recruit Art Docents

    Posted 11-02-2016 10:58 AM

    Good morning!

    We're about one year away from opening our permanent art gallery here at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and we're planning on having a dedicated "Art Docent Corps" (separate from our usual corps of docents) to be in the gallery every day during operating hours.  I am looking for new and "out of the box" ideas for recruiting docents, especially those with a passion for art.  We will certainly encourage our current docents to apply.   I am looking at reaching out to local universities with art history or visual art programs, active senior communities, and local art councils.  What are some ways you've used to recruit new docents? 

    Looking forward to hearing your ideas!

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    Carrie Bowers
    Museum Specialist
    National Museum of the Marine Corps
    Triangle VA
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  • 2.  RE: New Ways to Recruit Art Docents

    Posted 11-03-2016 12:21 PM

    One option is to use mobile app tour guides and tablets for self guided tours. We have been working with a number of museums for developing tour guide apps and also offer rental tablets to rent to tourists at the gate. The biggest benefit is  - no worries about attendance, accent, mood, attitude etc. We generally work with the most enthusiastic tour guide and record his/her voice for everyone. Please check out these two links for a lot of educational info :

    http://www.actionshowapp.com/ReadBlog.html

    Mobile Tour Guide App Platform for Museums,Walking Tours, Driving Tours, Visitor Attractions-ActionShow App

    Actionshowapp remove preview
    Mobile Tour Guide App Platform for Museums,Walking Tours, Driving Tours, Visitor Attractions-ActionShow App
    A platform for attractions to create Apple & Android apps that visitors download on their own phones to use as tour guides. Low cost, sets up in weeks and replaces audio guides.
    View this on Actionshowapp >

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    Snehal Shah
    Action Data Systems, LLC
    Barrington RI



  • 3.  RE: New Ways to Recruit Art Docents

    Posted 11-04-2016 11:43 AM

    Many college and universities now require their students to do Service Learning.  We get a new crop of 4-6  docents each semester from our local university.  They are lovely young people who add a whole new dimension to our program.  maryr

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    Mary Randall
    Education Coordinator
    First Mayor's House of Salinas City
    Salinas CA