David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Performing Arts Docent Program

About The David Rubenstein Atrium
The mission of the David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center’s visitor and ticketing center, is to provide a gateway to the entire Lincoln Center campus, its constituents, and its surrounding community such that the Atrium’s programs, services, and amenities complement, inform, and surround the ticket buying and visitor experience.

Overview of the Lincoln Center Docent Program
The guiding principle of the Lincoln Center Docent Program is to put culture in context. Lincoln Center is home to the finest the world has to offer in classical music, opera, ballet, jazz, theatre and film. The docent program will enlist and train a core group of knowledgeable volunteers, whose charge is to inform, advise and educate visitors to the David Rubenstein Atrium. Docents will serve as friendly and informed ambassadors for the institution, offering a framework for the public to better understand and enjoy the performing arts presented here through regularly scheduled conversations on current performances and art forms presented throughout the year. Docents will be provided with tickets for select performances, have access to educational resources, and participate in on-going training. This program has the opportunity to grow and develop with the interests of docents and needs of the Atrium audience.

Docent Responsibilities
Individuals with prior teaching and/or docent experience are encouraged to apply as are those with multi-lingual skills. Qualified candidates will be knowledgeable about Lincoln Center and its core disciplines; prior experience in a performing arts related field is a strong plus. In addition, candidates will be expected to:

  • Engage in dialogue about events and art presented at Lincoln Center and invite participants to share reactions to such works
  • Answer questions and offer performance suggestions that will enhance the visitor experience
  • Relay pertinent facts on the history of the art forms and biographical information on select composers, directors, choreographers, performers and artists at Lincoln Center
  • Possess an outgoing and engaging personality and strong public speaking skills
  • Be computer literate and familiar with Lincoln Center’s website for the purpose of accessing relevant information online in a timely manner
  • Attend an initial orientation and regular trainings sessions throughout the year
  • Commit to at least one year of service and a minimum of fours hours a month of service in the Atrium

Benefits
In addition to contributing to this new public engagement initiative, docents will receive on-going training provided by knowledgeable Lincoln Center personnel. Docents will have access to select performances, rehearsals and programs and receive those benefits accorded to Lincoln Center ID holders (such as discounts at constituent organizations and dining venues on campus and in the neighborhood). There is a yearly appreciation event to honor and celebrate the contribution docents make to Lincoln Center.

How to Apply
Complete the Performing Arts Docent Program application form online, which requires a 500-word personal statement describing your reason(s) for wanting to be a docent and how your experience will contribute to the docent program at Lincoln Center. For more information, please call our Visitor Services department at 212.875.5445 or email docentprogram@lincolncenter.org.