Lasting comments

A few months ago the docents held an end-of-the-school-year-celebration-luncheon as a way to mark the end of the busy tour season. I racked my brain for a way to thank them for all of their hard work. I wanted to give them something, but of course had no budget for gifts. Ultimately, I spent my own money to design a docent calendar filled with images from the collection and marked with the dates of upcoming programs. I figured they could use the calendars to record when they were doing tours -- at the very least, it was an utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing gift!

As I handed them out, I made a personal statement about each docent. "Mary, I appreciate you because..." and said something different about each person: how they interacted with children, how they were a sponge for information, how they were always available to help out. The docents raved about the event and especially about the personal, public thank-yous.

Earlier this week one of the docents stopped my office after a tour. She said "This group I just took through the museum was really the best group ever." I was surprised, because she had just worked with a very young group from a inner-city day camp. In a split second, I realized my "docent appreciation" for her had been, "You always say your tour groups are the best groups ever." It was really her ability to see the good in people and not lose her cool if the tour didn't go as smoothly as planned - that was what I appreciated. Right after she said her famous line she laughed and said "I know I say that about everyone!" I was so happy that my "docent appreciation" had stayed with her.

Fascinated by your thinking

Months ago, during a committee meeting, a small group staff and board members conceived of a new program at the museum which would bring in diverse audiences and empower the public in the curatorial process. We had invited a small group of the community to visit the vault, select a single work for exhibition, and write a label for the work. Today I got to glimpse the new program come into fruition.

I ran into the superintendent of schools as he was posing for a picture with the painting he had selected. I was so surprised to see his choice -- it was dark and somber. On first glance, it looked like black clouds over a desolate landscape, with large silver targets hanging in the sky. It seemed like such a strange choice for a person who, publicly, is full of positive energy. Now I am so intrigued to learn more about why he selected that particular work...

I almost wish we could give every community member this opportunity. It's such a great way to learn about people and the way they think. And that's what looking at art really boils down to - for me as a museum educator -- it's about learning about people and works by sharing thoughts and ideas. And the role requires someone who always has to be fascinated by other peoples' thinking.