Blog

Voice of the People. Chicago Tribune, June 23, 2024

Cultural institutions are more than buildings, housing objects and exhibits; they are places to learn and explore, especially if you take advantage of their guided tours. Often led by unsung heroes — our volunteer docents — these educational opportunities help visitors to Chicago and residents alike better understand topics such as art, architecture and science.

With some institutions that have chosen to disband these volunteer programs in favor of paid docents who work longer hours, I think it’s important that we remember the countless contributions these volunteers make to our city. By donating their time and passion, these individuals bring the perspective of the visitor and simultaneously free up institutional resources so organizations can finance the other work they do in communities.

At the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), where I serve on the board, the impact of volunteer docents is profound. These dedicated individuals undergo rigorous training to deeply understand our city’s built environment. By leading walking and boat tours, docents offer visitors and locals alike an immersive journey into Chicago’s architectural heritage.

This includes individuals such as Cathy Thompson, who currently leads downtown walking tours and is training to become a docent on Chicago’s First Lady river cruise. Cathy is among several new docents contributing their tour-leading expertise to the CAC and other institutions, such as the Robie House and the Charnley-Persky House, following the end of their tenure at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The impact of CAC’s volunteer docents continues long after their tours end. These tours are a tourist destination in Chicago, and thanks to ticket revenue, the CAC is able to fund educational programming that introduces underserved youth to careers in science, technology, engineering, math and architecture, and empowers adults to take a more active role in building the city they want, thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for our city.

Without volunteer docents, the CAC would be unable to dedicate the same level of resources to funding architecture and design education programs for Chicagoans.

Volunteer docents are the heartbeat of our cultural institutions, breathing life into exhibits, stories and traditions. In an era when the value of volunteer work is sometimes overlooked, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the contributions of these dedicated individuals. They embody the true Chicago spirit of service and community, selflessly giving their time and expertise to enrich the lives of others.

Without them, our museums and cultural landmarks would not be the vibrant, dynamic spaces they are today.

— Graham Grady, trustee, Chicago Architecture Center