Not to belittle volunteers, but part of what makes the behind the scenes tour a great auction item (I think) is the chance to go through with a "real" Curator, especially high level curators. Better yet let the Director give the tour!

Dawn Scher Thomae wrote:

> This question is really directed toward medium-sized and larger
> institutions.
>
> Our museum is offering an increasing number of behind-the-scenes tours
> as prizes at auctions, for higher-level donors, new employee
> orientation, to cater to future facility rental clients, visiting
> dignitaries, etc.  Most of these tours last from one to two hours.
> There are currently two curators being asked to do these tours quite
> regularly.  I would like to propose to administration that a small group
> of long-term volunteers, maybe five, be trained to lead these tours to
> each department and then the staff in that department would give a five
> or ten minute introduction to that area. All requests would be filtered
> through the volunteer office and scheduled just like a docent-led tour
> in the exhibit halls.  (I know there are a few volunteers who would love
> the opportunity to lead special tours to the upper floors).
>
> What I would like to ask is this: Who does them in your
> museum/institution and how is it coordinated?  Any additional comments
> or suggestions on this topic appreciated.
>
> Dawn Scher Thomae
> Milwaukee Public Museum
>
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