Following is a list of questions often used by Museum educators and student docents. We often use these questions as a starting point for discussion and interaction about the art in our galleries. The questions do change slightly varying on the type of exhibition. Docent trainers always ask docents to elaborate, point out, and support their ideas using their imaginations and components of what they see to formulate thoughtful responses.
- What do you see?
- What is this?
- What attracted you to this particular artwork?
- How do you think it was made?
- What makes this art?
- What do you feel when you view it?
- What do you think is happening in this artwork?
- What does this artwork remind you of?
- How long do you think it took to create this?
- What processes do you think were involved?
- What do you think of it?
- What do you think it means?
- Do you like it? Why? Why not?
- How does the work relate to its title?
- If you could rename it, what would you call it?
- What are the largerissues or themes being represented here?
- What do you think the artist is trying to do, show, or say by creating this?
- What makes you think that?
- How does your understanding of or feeling about this artwork change if you move to another part of the room?
- How have your feelings about this changed now that you have a better understanding?