According to Merriam-Webster's definition, the word docent comes from the Latin: docents, present participle of docēre (to teach). Currently defined as a person who leads guided tours especially through a museum or art gallery.

Docents at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are divided in two groups. One group retains the name "docents" and the other one we call "guides", only to differentiate their functions, as much as both groups play a similar role. They interpret art, they guide people through the Gallery, incite conversations, provide information and altogether represent the Gallery as ambassadors to our general public and special groups.

The docents tour school groups. The guides group is committed to provide a public tour a day, two every Thursday, every day of the year, as long as the Gallery is open. Docents meet every Monday morning, guides meet in the afternoon, to schedule their tours and receive training on touring techniques and special programs relevant to the Gallery's exhibitions. They listen to guest speakers (artists, curators, historians, Gallery staff), they conduct personal research and present on different topics, they watch videos and movies linked to programming, and they receive art workshops as well.

Members of these groups are self motivated, high achieving individuals who love the Gallery, our public, and the arts. They are hard working, passionate people who commit themselves to bringing art and the people together.