Jennie Hord is a Visitor Operations Supervisor at the Denver Art Museum.
Gallery hosts strive to create an environment that engages, delights, and inspires visitors. They are a valuable resource for providing information and making all visitors feel welcomed and well cared for. They are also tasked with keeping the artwork and visitors safe. Gallery hosts can be found working inside each gallery space throughout the museum. Though hosts have a responsibility to uphold museum policies, they are not your typical "security guard." They are some of the most knowledgeable and creative people you will meet, and they love to share their passion for the art.
So who exactly are these gallery hosts and what do they do? Well, the least fun part of the job includes enforcing museum policies. We don't have too many rules here, but if a visitor touches the art or tries to have a snack in the galleries, a host is responsible for approaching and offering a gentle reminder of the rules. These two rules are in place to ensure the longevity of the artwork, and other museum policies help us keep all visitors safe and comfortable. New to the museum? No worries! We understand that art museums are new to a lot of people. Hosts are here to help, and if you are ever in doubt about anything, just ask!
The best part about being a gallery host is the positive visitor engagements. Our gallery hosts have a wealth of art knowledge and experiences. A number of the staff hold art history degrees and are well versed in a variety of topics. Others are artists themselves who do printmaking workshops, or have had their art on display in various art exhibitions. They are a friendly and interesting group of people who truly enjoy interacting with visitors. So please, take the opportunity to engage with a gallery host. They are here to make each visit as enjoyable and inspiring as possible. We are excited to see our visitors at the museum soon!
