The docent program was established in 1962 by the Director, Charles Nagel, and was integrated with the Education Department as a permanent service offered to the public. Docents are trained to conduct tours of the permanent collection and of special exhibitions. Those who have coordinated the scheduling of volunteer services are: Mrs. T. Ben Harris and Mrs. Kenneth Maddy, Co-Chairmen Volunteer Guides, 1968-1970. Ruth K. McBrayer (Mrs. J. Bruce), Docent Coordinator, 1971-1974; Docent and Information Services Coordinator, 1975-1978; and Volunteer Coordinator, 1979-1980. Patricia Leigh, Art Services Coordinator, 1981-1984. Judith Ciampoli, Art Services Coordinator, 1985; and Coordinator of Volunteer Services, 1986-2000. Cheryl Weiss Benjamin, Coordinator of Volunteer Services and Associate Educator, Docent Services, 2000-2021. Adria Brown, Associate Educator, Docent Program and Gallery Teaching, September 2022-June 2023.

The Coordinator of Volunteer Services historically was responsible for coordinating all volunteer functions within the museum including the docent program, information desk volunteers, and departmental volunteers.