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 are currently closed. Stay tuned for future opportunities.
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
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 literacy programs (including adult basic education, high school equivalency, and English for Speakers of Other Languages [ESOL] classes) and the We Speak Art series, which provides English language practice
Experiences in languages other than English, including Hablemos de Arte (Spanish language practice), and monthly Spanish language and Russian language tours
While topics must engage with the Museum’s collection or special exhibitions, A.R.T. Guides are encouraged to use a wide range of teaching tools and styles.
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. Bimonthly courses include focused art historical study of the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions, as well as continued exploration of techniques in museum education.
Trainings include:
Bimonthly workshops and seminars in the galleries, led by Museum curators, educators, and other specialists
Interdisciplinary discussions of collections and special exhibitions
Exploration of museum teaching practices
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. Through the program, guides research and engage with the Brooklyn Museum’s encyclopedic collection and special exhibitions through in-depth learning while sharing 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
Snacks and some meals for in-person trainings
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. Bimonthly trainings are held on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Most classes are recorded.
Guides are responsible for a minimum of 12 tours per calendar year. Most guides lead at least two tours per month.
How to apply
Applications for the A.R.T. Guide Program are currently closed. Check back for information on future application cycles. Thank you for your interest!
Questions?
