1. What is the Virginia Docent Exchange (VDE)?
The Virginia Docent Exchange is a conference held every two years that is planned by museum/art center volunteers and Staff to exchange ideas and innovations in museum practices. The Exchange is hosted at a Member Museum on a rotating basis every two years.
2. What does it mean to be a VDE Member Museum? What are the requirements?
Membership is open to docent groups of art museums and/or art centers in Virginia. There are two membership levels: Hosting Member Museum (Level 1) and Associate Member Museum (Level 2).
Hosting Member Museum – Level 1 ($150 biannually)
- Must present and/or participate in the workshops of the Exchange.
- Must host or co-host the Virginia Docent Exchange on a rotating basis.
- Must be represented on the steering committee by two voting members.
- Will receive VDE Member Discount for docents attending the Exchange.
Associate Member Museum – Level 2 ($150 biannually)
- May propose workshops for presentation at the Exchange.
- Will receive VDE Member Discount for docents attending the Exchange.
Conference Attendee / Non-Member (No dues)
- May attend the Virginia Docent Exchange.
- May not propose workshops for presentation at the Exchange.
- Will not receive the member discount when attending the Exchange.
3. How are the biannual dues used?
Dues for both Membership Levels are $150 biannually. Biannual dues are used for planning and hosting the Exchange, in accordance with VDE Bylaws.
4. By when do we need to pay our Membership Dues? And how?
December 15, 2025
5. Does the VDE have officers or a leadership structure?
From the VDE Bylaws, Section 6. Governing Board:
Each Member Museum shall have two (2) voting representatives, at least one of whom is a docent, to the governing Steering Committee and they shall serve for a period of two years.
The Chairperson of the Board shall be a representative member of the host institution and shall serve a two-year term. This selection shall be confirmed at the first meeting of the Board to be held at the discretion of the host museum after the Member Museums and/or art centers have selected their docent representatives to the Virginia Docent Exchange for the two-year planning period previous to the Exchange.
A Secretary and a Treasurer shall be selected from the representative members of the host museum and shall serve a two-year term. This selection shall be confirmed at the first meeting of the Board to be held at the discretion of the host museum after the Member Museums and/or art centers have selected their docent representatives to the Virginia Docent Exchange for the two-year planning period previous to the Exchange.
The Staff Educator of the host museum may be an ex officio member of the board during the two-year planning period previous to the Exchange.
6. When is the next Exchange?
The 2026 Docent Exchange will be co-hosted by The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 8-10, 2026. Exchanges are held every two years for two days in the Spring.
7. What is the theme for the next Exchange?
The Docent Revolution! Sharing Stories is the theme for the 2026 Virginia Docent Exchange, March 8-10, 2026.
8. Who can attend the Exchange?
If you are a docent, volunteer, or staff member at a VDE Member Museum, you can attend at a discounted price, which is reflected in the conference registration fee. Docents and staff from non-member institutions may attend the Virginia Docent Exchange as a Non-Member. However, they may not present workshops and sessions for the Exchange, and they will not receive the VDE Member Discount.
9. How did the Call For Proposals go?
We received an impressive selection of presentation proposals from docents and staff at our Member Museums. A big THANK YOU to all of our presenters! Because of you, we have been able to create a very exciting program for VDE 2026!
10. What are the fees for Registration at VDE 2026?
Please note that registration fees include meals and snacks, a free pass to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, free admission to Abstract Expressionists: The Women at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, and even more wonderful perks!
FULL REGISTRATION (March 8-10)
VDE Member Museum* Individual $170.00
Non-Member Museum* Individual $195.00
Full Registration includes:
All Exchange activities and programs Sunday – Tuesday
All Exchange meals (Sunday evening reception; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday; breakfast and lunch on Tuesday)
Opening Reception (March 8)
Guest Ticket Individual $ 25.00
ONE-DAY REGISTRATION (March 9)
VDE Member Museum* Individual $129.00
Non-Member Museum* Individual $139.00
One-Day Registration includes:
All Exchange activities and programs Monday only
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday
* Member and Non-Member refers to the membership of a museum in the Virginia Docent Exchange.
11. What other costs are associated with attending the Exchange?
Travel, lodging expenses, and any additional meals not provided during the Exchange. Discounted room rates are available at the Williamsburg Lodge and the Griffin Hotel (see details on the website/registration).
12. Where can I find information about the history of the VDE, the Bylaws, and details about the 2026 Exchange?