I love it when museums are referenced on television. Last night it happened when I was watching the season premiere of Mad Men on AMC. Mr. corporate climber Pete Campbell (played by Vincent Kartheiser) gets news of a promotion and runs to have his “girl” get his wife Trudy (played by Alison Brie) on the phone. Trudy is thrilled that her man’s ambitions are being realized, but needs to rush along because she is hosting a luncheon at their home for the docent council from the Metropolitan Museum.
The shot then scans the room and we see well-heeled ladies waiting patiently. When Pete tells Trudy he forgot to ask if he is getting a raise, Trudy says that is noble and proves you don’t need money to be fulfilled. Pete responds with something like “don’t let the ladies from the Met hear that”. In one quick scene we get the message that being a docent is woman’s work, is proper for the wife of a young exec and implies money and prestige.
The word docent means university lecturer in most countries. It is used in the U.S. to mean a trained educator that provides information and/or conducts research on a museum collection. The role can provide a social network as referenced on Mad Men. Other motivations include love for a topic, the desire to teach, or a way to become part of the museum profession. Docents are usually volunteers (so having another source of cash definitely helps) and still often women. But there are also many men and age groups from teens to retired that provide this public face for museums worldwide.
Today the Met has 11 options for docent service. If your application is accepted, you go through a year of training before having a place in the rotation. Required commitment varies widely across museums, but being a docent is a great experience. There is nothing like seeing the “a-ha” or “really?” looks on people’s faces as they learn something new or stump you with a tough question. If you want a great way to give back to your community, contact your favorite museum and join the part of museum life cool enough to be mentioned on Mad Men 🙂
The Met Docent Program: http://www.metmuseum.org/visitor/faq_volunteer.htm
Mad Men Yourself-seriously, try it!! http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/madmenyourself/
Museum Life 