A docent is a person who acts as a knowledgeable guide or educator, most commonly as a trained volunteer, teacher or lecturer at a museum, art gallery, zoo or historical site—or even at a Los Gatos-area school. The word comes from the Latin docere, which means “to teach.”
The Art Docents of Los Gatos’ mission is to “expand students’ educational and cultural experiences and to foster more flexible and creative individuals.”
For over 50 years, members of this group have gone into schools in the Los Gatos Union School District. Parents began this program in 1973 after seeing a need to promote art in the classroom. Founding parents purchased the Art Docents’ building years ago. They still use the same building today. It is a comfortable, well-lit classroom.
This was where the informational coffee was held last Thursday—at the LGUSD headquarters at 17000 Roberts Rd.—where the docents attended a training and gathered teaching supplies. I wanted to learn all about what these docents are up to.
There are ongoing programs and activities in art history, art criticism, aesthetics and art techniques. They currently have about 40 trained docents and serve over 3,000 students at four elementary schools and one middle school. The membership was up to approximately 140 prior to the pandemic. From what I observed, they themselves have a lot of fun bringing art into schools. From TK to early middle school the docents do “their thing.” At the coffee event I attended, 17 potential docents learned about how to become one.
How do they do it?
Volunteers come from within our community: retired teachers, art lovers, museum goers and folks who wish to make a difference. A background in art is helpful, yet not required. Curriculum has been refined over the 50—yes 50—years this organization has been in existence. Working artists are invited to come in the “Guest Artist Program” to inspire the children with live demonstrations. These generous individuals inspire students with a live demonstration.
Volunteers attend a 10-week course on how to present the docent curriculum. The instructions are concise and clear. During the training, docents are shown how to present course material. Also through ongoing programming, docents share—and learn—more about the art world, including what to teach for each grade level (from TK-8th grade). There is a monthly chart on where to present, and what to present.
The docents start heading into the district classrooms, once a month, starting in October and continuing through January. Large portfolios are provided for the docents’ teaching supplies. These may include posters of recognizable art and assorted visual aids to expose the students to many different styles.
According to one of their brochures, the docents’ goal is to “introduce visual art as a tool for self-expression, develop visual arts literacy, provide opportunity for exercising critical thinking and judgment, develop and understand appreciation of world cultures and provide opportunities to find training in art skills and experience the creation of art.”
From early lessons in “textures” at TK level to a “scientific illustration workshop” for 6-8th-graders, to “Native American Art” and “French Art History” with a “Jazz Lesson & Collage workshop,” there’s plenty of education ahead. Lessons are regularly reviewed and updated to keep the lessons current with Common Core Standards and STEM.
Docents have to come prepared for the hands-on workshops, including with digital slides. An “Annual Student Art Show” is held to exhibit artwork from TK-5th grade students, along with some middle school work. This is open to the public and held in May.
Camaraderie with like-minded residents is also part of the fun at the nonprofit organization. Comprehensive training and mentoring is provided, and occasional group activities are held.
Art Docents of Los Gatos is funded by membership dues, community grants and individual contributions by parents and community members. Major sponsors include Los Gatos Education Foundation, Los Gatos Union School district.
Are you ready to become a docent?
