Docent Council

Tours
The Docent Council provides tours for children and adults of the permanent collection and current exhibitions. Public tours are offered throughout the year every afternoon the museum is open. The monthly schedule of public tours can be found in the Calendar. 

School tours, for students in grades 1–12, are scheduled most weekday mornings from October through May, excluding December. All docents participate in an intensive year of training in art history and touring techniques before they begin leading tours.

Recruitment
The Docent Council seeks volunteers to lead tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions. An art background is not required; however, prospective docents should have an interest in learning about art, working with students, and facilitating positive museum experiences for visitors. In addition to giving tours, docents enjoy special opportunities to view private collections around Southern California and attend lectures given by leading scholars. Upon completion of the application and interview process, new docents participate in a one-year training course in art history and touring techniques.

The Council has now completed recruiting for the class of 2009–2010 and does not anticipate accepting another class until 2011. Applications for that class should be available during the summer of 2010 by emailing a request to admissions@lacmadocent.org. Please check the LACMA website at that time.

Ambrosius Bosschaert (1573–1621), Bouquet of Flowers on a Ledge (detail), 1619–20, Holland, oil on copper, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Carter, Department of European Painting and Sculpture, M.2003.108.7.