Docent Program

The Ackland’s volunteer Docents are a vital part of the Museum’s teaching team. Together with the Museum’s education staff and the Ackland Student Guides, our dedicated Docents ensure that visitors of all ages and varied interests have excellent group tour experiences.

Docents participate in specialized training that equips them to lead lively and interactive tours for K-12 school groups and community groups focused on the Museum’s collection and exhibitions. Training sessions focus on both art and effective teaching strategies for our diverse audiences. The majority of our K-12 school groups are elementary and middle-school classes, and we have an increasing audience of high-school classes. Thanks to the great work of the Ackland Docents, the Museum engages with public and private schools from across central North Carolina. Our growing community audiences include kids and adults: scout troops, summer camps, book clubs, retirement communities, and more. Docents also lead 30-minute public tours of the Ackland’s collection and special exhibitions.

Learn more about the Ackland Docent program with these Docent FAQs.

The Ackland is not currently recruiting new docents. To find out when docent applications will reopen, please contact acklandlearn@unc.edu.

2023–2024 Docents