Docent training

Bi-annually the California African American Museum looks for talented, interested, and diverse people to join our established corps of museum docents. CAAM conducts a series of structured, experiential workshops to train museum tour guides. The guides learn art history, specifically African and African American, observation and evaluation, script writing, and presentation. Docents lead tours, assist Gallery Educators in workshops, engage families and groups in museum activities and act as museum ambassadors to the public.

Weekends at the museum

CAAM encourages children and their families or individuals to participate in workshops and family festivals that expose them to a variety of artistic media, creative activities and lively, engaging entertainment.

Art and design classes

Throughout the year, young people and adults can enjoy a variety of workshops: graphics, photo journalism, studio classes, creative writing, architectural structure and design, interior design, fashion design, African dance, storytelling, video workshops, voice, and African American arts and crafts.

Young Artist Workshops - Enroll Now!

Cartooning and Drawing the Fantastic
Six Sessions: June 21 - July 26, 2008
Saturdays from 10:00am - 12:00 noon

Each class is limited to 15 students. Fees are $55 for members and $60 for non-members. All materials are included. Please submit complete registration form and payment by June 16, 2008. Click here for a registration form. For further information, please contact Karla Williams at 213.744.7438.

A Collaboration with HeArt!

CAAM enjoyed a mutually rewarding collaboration with the HeArt Project in the 2006-2007 school year. This project introduced local students to the issues and process of communicating ideas and feelings through art.

The HeArt Project (HP) creatively links overlooked teenagers in alternative high schools with professional artists, cultural centers and communities to imagine, produce and present new work. Artists working with groups of approximately 20 students go into classrooms for 10 weeks and direct the students in the creation of an art piece that reflects the theme of portraits and identity.

CAAM staff gave students tours of Orphans of Rwanda: Portraits of Survival and Hope (August 3, 2006 - March 4, 2007) to help them better understand the issues involved as well as provided teachers with didactic materials of the exhibition that they could review with their students. The students then returned to their classrooms to begin creating their own unique reactions to the exhibit in two and three dimensional works and performance art. The students conducted public presentations of their artworks in CAAM's Sculpture Court on November 21, 2006, March 22, 2007 and June 12, 2007. Additionally, the students worked with LACMALab, the LA County Natural History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

PAID INTERNSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS! APPLY TO BE A YOUNG DOCENT NOW!

Each summer the California African American Museum (CAAM) exposes students ages 15-18 to the responsibilities of work and the world of museum professional opportunities. CAAM's Young Docent Program begins July 7, 2008 with an intensive, two-week summer training in which students gain specialized knowledge of museum exhibitions and programs. Training includes learning to research and develop tour scripts, conduct guided tours, invent activities to supplement their tours, conduct art workshops, give dramatic readings and master the skills for great customer service. Included in the training is a visit to another museum in the Los Angeles area to compare how touring is practiced in other institutions. After initial training, successful students are employed by CAAM’s Friends Foundation at minimum wage for four weeks, during which time they will create a two-dimensional work of art to be exhibited at the museum. This expanded and exciting program provides a wealth of experiences that will help prepare participants for a lifetime of achievement.  Click here to print an application.

Interviews will be conducted on June 14th.  Selected applicants will be notified by phone the following week.  The program runs from July 8th until August 17th, 2008.  Students must be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for the two weeks.  Thereafter, the work schedule extends Tuesday through Sunday as needed.

To apply, send us the following: 1) a personal statement telling us about yourself, why you are interested in our Young Docent Program and what you think you can contribute to our education team. 2) A letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor or school principal. 3) Mail completed application to the below address.  If you have further questions call Karla Williams at (213) 744-7438.