Join the Brooklyn Museum in making space for thoughtful encounters with great art as a catalyst for a more connected, civic, and empathetic world. The A.R.T. Guide Program is for individuals interested in sharing their love of art with others while developing teaching and public speaking skills. This is an unpaid, volunteer program with a minimum two-year commitment.
Applications to join the A.R.T. Guide Program will reopen in July 2025, closing at 5 pm on October 10. Revisit this page for details, coming soon.
What you’ll be doing
A.R.T. Guides lead a variety of tour experiences for adult visitors, including:
Hour-long thematic, conversational tours of the collection in English, Spanish, and Russian
Pop-up talks in collection galleries and special exhibitions
Remote conversation experiences for older adults unable to visit the Museum in person
Conversations for students in adult language and literacy programs, including adult basic education, high school equivalency, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
Training
New A.R.T. Guides take an introductory course to become acquainted with museum education theory and teaching practice.
After the introductory course and initial training period, new volunteers join the rest of the A.R.T. Guides in ongoing learning.
Ongoing trainings include:
Exploration of museum teaching practices
Workshops and seminars in the galleries, led by Museum curators, educators, and other specialists
Interdisciplinary discussions of collections and special exhibitions
Behind-the-scenes experiences that explore topics in the museum field and initiatives within the Brooklyn Museum
What does “A.R.T.” stand for?
Art
A.R.T. Guides are passionate about art and the conversations it encourages. Guides research and engage with the Brooklyn Museum’s encyclopedic collection and special exhibitions, and share their perspectives with fellow participants.
Research
The Museum places excellence in art, education, and scholarship at its core. A.R.T. Guides have access to the distinguished Libraries and Archives, where they can research artworks to prepare for gallery conversations.
Teaching
The Brooklyn Museum is a leader in the field of museum education. A.R.T. Guides join the Museum’s dedicated, forward-thinking team of educators to further conversations around the cultural and civic function of art and museums. They engage in ongoing training in teaching practices and are encouraged to be creative when engaging audiences in the galleries. Guides facilitate experiences that present the Museum as a place for social action and free expression, where visitors can expand the ways they see themselves, the world, and its possibilities.
Compensation and eligibility
This is an unpaid, volunteer program with a minimum two-year commitment. But there are perks, including:
MetroCards and parking passes to support in-person trainings and tours
Discounts at the Museum Shop and Café
Exclusive access to Museum events and programs
Free admission to the Brooklyn Museum and museums across New York City and the United States
The A.R.T. Guide Program is open to all experience levels—no background in art or education is necessary. Ideal applicants have:
A commitment to and passion for art, accessibility, and social justice
Excitement to learn teaching techniques and strategies
An awareness of what makes the Brooklyn Museum unique
Fluency in languages other than English, especially Spanish and Russian
Schedule
Being an A.R.T. Guide requires a minimum two-year commitment, but every effort is made to accommodate volunteers’ schedules.
The training schedule is structured like an academic year, taking place during both fall and spring semesters, with breaks during the winter and summer months. Trainings are held on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Some classes are recorded.
Guides are responsible for a minimum of 12 tours annually.
Apply now
Applications for the A.R.T. Guide Program reopen in July 2025, closing at 5 pm on October 10. Revisit this page to apply.
Note: Accepted A.R.T. Guides will require a background check conducted by the Brooklyn Museum.
Questions?
