Student Guide Program

Student Guides make a two-year commitment to Cantor Arts Center and Anderson Collection for this paid opportunity to become a tour guide for the museums. Student Guides develop and lead interactive, close-looking tours of the Stanford museums for the visiting public and K-12 school groups. The first year is a three-quarter training program led by museum educators will give you the opportunity to become a critical and observant museum visitor and to develop skills in public speaking, group facilitation, visual literacy, research, and creative thinking. The second year is the touring year, where you will develop and lead tours at the Cantor or Anderson Collection. 

The Student Guide program also provides the opportunity to join a community of students who work at the museums as touring guides and as Student Engagement Assistants. Through regular group dinners and other opportunities to learn about the museums together with other peers in these programs, you will be able to build connections with other students who share an interest in fostering engagement with art.

Stanford undergraduate and graduate students with at least two years remaining in their planned course of study are invited to apply. Students from any and all fields of study are welcome to apply– no prior formal arts background necessary.

Student Guide Program Details: If chosen as a Student Guide, you will train for one academic year, preparing for tours you will offer the public in your second and any subsequent years at Stanford. 

• Training includes the required weekly class time on Mondays from 4:30-6:00pm for the fall, winter, and spring quarters. You will be paid for both class time and completing weekly assignments (4hrs/wk).
• You will be expected to participate in weekly discussions on Canvas based on assigned readings.
• With support of the museum resources and Student Guide Program staff, you will conduct research and develop written reports on 3 objects on view at the Cantor or Anderson that will be highlighted in your full 3-object tour. 
• You will conduct practice tours and receive feedback from your peers and program staff.
• Class times include, but are not limited to: Discussions of assigned reading, museum collections storage visits, workshops on projecting your voice and stage presence from theater professionals, curator-led exhibition walk-throughs, discussions with experts on museum practice, accessibility, and touring techniques for K-12 groups.
• Attend Community Dinners offered periodically after class time to engage with current touring guides and other student workers at the museum. 
• Attend one field trip to another local museum to see an exhibition and observe in-gallery touring and/or engagement offerings.
• Based on the training you receive in your first year, you will be prepared to give tours to the public, the Stanford community, and grades K-12 audiences.
• Once your training year is complete, you will be expected to provide at least two tours per quarter at the Cantor or Anderson in year 2. You will be paid for preparing and conducting your tour (2hr/tour).
• Student Guides are paid an hourly rate commensurate with Stanford's pay scale for students. 

To Apply: Please submit your application along with the following:

• A personal statement describing your interest in this program. Examples: Describe how your background and unique skills would contribute to tours. Describe how you interact with peopled of different ages, diverse backgrounds, and different abilities.
• Resume or CV