Watch the 2026 Kickoff Message from Laura to Community Guides: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_cn07no1m

January 20 | 9:30-10 a.m. | ZOOM

Topic: Portrait of George Washington and Swing Landscape with Jenny McComas

Where: Zoom - https://iu.zoom.us/j/85711694522

At this session,

Jenny will briefly discuss the portrait of George Washington that will be lent to the art museum from the Lilly Library and installed in the Jane Fortune Gallery, going on view Feb. 14. This artwork will be featured in tours and programs connected with IU's America 250 celebrations, including the new K12 tour "Revolution and Reflection: Art, History and Ideas".
Jenny will offer a brief refresher on Swing Landscape and its historical context. This artwork, along with George Washington, will be included on the new K12 tour entitled Revolution and Reflection: Art, History, and Ideas. A full demonstration of that new tour will be offered on March 6 (see below).

February 6, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | In person

Topic: Updates to the Art Investigators Tour

For: All Student Guides and Community Guides who are background checked and will continue to lead this tour.

Where: In-person. Meet at the blue benches. Store belongings beforehand. We'll be in the galleries.

Before coming to training, please watch the video recording(s) that we will share ahead and look at Art Investigators | Feb 17 - May 7, 2026

At this session, Shawn will lead a demonstration of the changes in the art investigators tour that will go into effect Feb 17. Changes include:

We've been asked to add a portrait of George Washington, in conjunction with America 250 celebrations. That will replace the Picture This stop.
Tale of Genji will be rotating off view, so we'll replace that stop with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs (looking and sketching).
The tour will also visit the crocheted underwater world in the Vital Ecosystems featured exhibition, instead of Danzante.

February 9, 2026 | 10 - 11 a.m. | In person

Topic: Mulyana: Vital Ecosystems - Conversation with the Curator and Crafting Demo

For: anyone who will be volunteering to help in the craft area of this exhibition and any guides who would appreciate a curatorial walkthrough of this exhibition, before touring

At this session: Walkthrough this featured exhibition with the curator, ask questions, and then learn how to help guests with the crafting activity with Madelyn.

Where: In-person. Meet at the blue benches. Store belongings beforehand. We'll be in the gallery.

Where to find info in Canvas: Preparing to Tour | Mulyana: Vital Ecosystems

February 23, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:00 | ZOOM

Topic: Preparing to Tour Rania Matar: Where Will I Go?

For: All Community Guides and Education Colleagues are welcome. Here's who expressed interest in opting in to lead tours that visit this exhibition: Sandy, Helena, Kathie, TammyJo, Kim, John Grace plus guides who tour "Global Modern and Contemporary art"

At this session: The curator, Leila Reichert, will walk us through the exhibition plans, virtually. You'll have an opportunity to ask questions.

Zoom link: Https://iu.zoom.us/j/87506885753

Where to find info in canvas: Preparing to Tour | Rania Matar: Where Do I Go? لوين روح؟

March 2, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | In person

Shawn is kindly offering a repeat on Art Investigators Updates for Community Guides who missed the February training. Everyone is welcome to attend this session. Please attend if you are signed up for Art Investigators or plan to do so and you missed the training on February 6 or want a repeat.

Meet in the 1^st floor lobby. Store your belongings before 10 a.m.

Before the session, remember to review the updated tour information available on Canvas: Modules -> Training -> Investigators | Feb 17 - May 22, 2026.

March 6, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | In person

Topic: Revolution and Reflection: Art, History and Ideas (a new K12 tour for grades 2-12)

Where: In-person. Meet at the blue benches. Store belongings beforehand. We'll be in the galleries.

Notes:

The new tour will be offered for K12 schools from mid-March into early May in conjunction with America 250 celebrations.
Tour description is available here: Tour Types: Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art: Indiana University Bloomington
This 90-min tour visits 3 venues:
- the Lilly Library to see the Declaration of Independence and watch a printmaking demo with Madelyn
- the Eskenazi Museum of Art to see Swing Landscape and the Portrait of George Washington.
- IU Auditorium to see Thomas Hart Benton's Indiana Murals
At this training, we will walk through a demonstration of this new tour.
Before coming to training, we will share information about the tour, and perhaps video recordings, in canvas.

March 30, 2026 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | In person

Topic: Conversation with Museum Director Mindy Besaw

Where: In-person. Meet at the blue benches. Store belongings beforehand. We may go into the galleries.

Notes:

Join us for a conversation with Mindy Besaw, the Wilma E. Kelley Director of the Eskenazi Museum of Art.

April 10 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | In person

Topic: To be announced.

Where: In-person.

Notes:

This is a combined session for Student Guides and Community Guides. We're holding this time in our schedule for any needs that might emerge. Otherwise, likely plan for this to be a Gallery Learning Lab session in which we introduce one another to more techniques and artworks in the gallery.

April 27, 2026 | noon - 1 p.m. | In person

Topic: Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Where: Meet on the steps for a group photo at noon. Then enjoy lunch in the Martin Commons.

RSVP: 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Submit a nomination for the Meier Award before March 30: Qualtrics Survey

If you'd like to be recognized for a years-of-service milestone (e.g. 5, 10, 25 years), please confirm your years of service here: Qualtrics Survey