Do you want to learn about contemporary art and art history? Do you love to look at art? Would you like to spend time with adults with similar interests and share your knowledge with others? If so, you may be a candidate for MAM's new Art Guide program. 

MAM needs a strong corps of Art Guides throughout the year to introduce the community to our grand new facility and a diverse line up of exhibitions. Art Guides play an integral role in the museum experience providing a trained eye to guide visitors to a deeper understanding and engagement of the exhibitions.Art Guide trainings for year-round guides occur on the second Wednesday of each month at 12 noon.

MAM Art Guides complete an initial training which consists of two to three sessions in which they are introduced to the vocabulary and concepts of the current exhibitions and the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). VTS is a method of looking at art developed by museum educator Philip Yenawine, former director of education at MoMA. VTS uses focused questions that encourage active looking and engagement with specific art works, and gives the docent a solid base from which to guide visitors. The next training for new Art Guides will be Thursday, September 4 from 5:30 -7PM.

Click here for the MAM Art Guide Manual 

ANNUAL FIFTH GRADE ART EXPERIENCE 

A special concentration of Art Guide energy is needed during our Annual Fifth Grade Art Experience (FGAE), a program co-sponsored by the Art Associates of Missoula, which invites every fifth grade class in the county to MAM for a guided tour and hands-on art project. The FGAE spans three months during the spring. Lots of volunteers are needed during this time! Art Guides must complete at least two trainings, one for Touring Strategies and the other for Exhibition Information, as well as keeping up with current exhibitions by attending MAM educational programs and Art Guide trainings offered with each new exhibition.

This year's FGAE will focus on the work of mixed-media artist and former University of Montana Art Department Chair,  Mary Ann Papanek Miller. Please visit our exhibition's area to find out more about this exciting artist .

To volunteer as an Art Guide with the FGAE  please plan on attending the following  trainings:

      Saturday, Jan 31: 11 AM - 1 PM: New Art Guides ~ Overview of the FGAE, Missoula Art Museum policies, mission and strategies for touring  

      Thursday, February 5, 5-6:30 PM or Saturday, February 7, 11 AM - 12:30 PM: Discussion/training with exhibiting artist John Armstrong to learn about his printmaking process

      Saturday, February 28, 11-1 PM: Review of Visual Thinking, Elements and Principles of Art and hands-on touring demonstrations and practice

      Thursday, March 5, 5-6:30 PM or Saturday, March 7, 11 AM -1 PM: Discussion with exhibiting artist Mary Ann Papanek-Miller

      Wednesday, March 18, 12-1 PM: Discussion/training with exhibiting artist Marie Watt.   

• Notice:  All Art Guides are encouraged to attend the art history course: From the Roots of Modernism to the Present taught by MAM Registrar Ted Hughes, on Wednesdays, February 4-25, 6-7:30 PM. This class is free to all Art Guides and Art Helpers.

The FGAE is a great opportunity to perfect your skills as an Art Guide with the younger age group. 

If you are interested in being a MAM Art Guide, please call Renee Taaffe at MAM, 728-0447 x228. Click here for an Art Guide application.