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.

 
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 year. 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 the reknown Japanese- American painter Roger Shimomura. Please visit our exhibition's area to find out more about this exciting artist. The FGAE is a great opportunity to perfect your skills as an Art Guide with the younger age group. 

Please consider volunteering. For just a few hours a week you will have the opportunity to learn about contemporary art, explore a relevant bit of history and share your knowledge with a few of the eager and  open minds of the over 1000 children who will be taking part in this experience. To find out more please call Renee Taaffe, Curator of Education, at 406.728.0447 ext 228 or reneet@missoulaartmuseum.org.

FGAE Trainings and Orientation are scheduled as follows:

Saturday, Sept 19, 11 AM -1PM or Wednesday, Sept 23, 11AM -1PM

For Art Guides with no previous experience.  Overview of FGAE, MAM Art Guide policies, and touring strategies. Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, Sept 30 11AM-1PM or Thursday, Oct 1, 4-6PM

Training for all FGAE art guides, exhibition overview and touring strategies. Refreshment will be provided.

 Click here for an Art Guide application.