The Junior Docent program is an after-school leadership and youth development program designed to equip students in grades 5-8 from schools throughout Wake County with the language and tools needed to discover and interpret contemporary art. Junior Docents act as CAM Raleigh’s student museum guides, ensuring that visitors of all ages and varied interests connect with contemporary visual art.

By participating in this program, students:

• develop observation, leadership, and critical thinking skills
• practice the vocabulary and skills needed to decode and analyze art works
• better understand what a non-collecting art museum is and how it functions
• gain public speaking skills to engage museum visitors in conversations about the exhibitions

Being a Junior Docent is a great way for students to build communication skills and strengthen confidence and self-esteem, while beginning to think about the connections between contemporary art and their own lives.

What do Junior Docents do?

Junior Docents attend training workshops led by the Education Coordinator and a range of guest artists, curators, educators, and other leading professionals. The workshops take place at CAM Raleigh on Wednesday afternoons, from 4:30-6pm. In these workshops, students practice interpreting and discussing contemporary through writing, critical discussion, presentations, and group projects. We consider the visual components, physical processes, and broader themes that make an artwork,
understand how an exhibition comes together, and more.

In addition to the workshops, docents attend exhibition events where they apply their training in order to guide museum visitors through the art on display. The core events are First Fridays, the first Friday of every month during which CAM is open in the evening from 6-9pm. Students will attend a portion of this evening to represent the museum and discuss the exhibition with visitors. Students must be able to attend First Fridays in order to participate in the program. Other special events may include exhibition
openings, artist talks, and a docent social; more information on those will be announced during the term.

How to Apply

FAQs

Who is eligible to be a Junior Docent?

Any student who is in 5th – 8th grade at a Wake County school is eligible to be a Junior Docent.

How much does it cost to attend the program?

The cost for the Summer term is $120. This supplies students with a CAM t-shirt, name badge, sketchbook, snacks, as well as other necessary materials and supplies. The program fee also includes a CAM membership for the whole family for the duration of the term.

Are there scholarships?

Yes! CAM does not want financial limitations to prevent any student from participating in the program. We have partial and full scholarships available on a first come first serve basis. Please inquire about more information with our Education Coordinator, Kaia Brem, at education@camraleigh.org.