The Department of Education of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery was established in 1987. Before this, docent services, lectures by staff, and leaflet distribution were major forms of education at the Freer Gallery. The first full-scale volunteer docent program at the Freer was conducted in 1981 and led by Docent Chairman, Gayle Southworth. Southworth served until 1983 as Docent Chairman and as Docent Coordinator from 1983 to 1987. The Dept. of Education reports to the Deputy Director.

A Head of Education leads the Department of Education. Lucia B. Pierce was Director of Education from 1987 to about 1989. Her title changed to Head of Education in 1989-1990, and she remained in this position until 2000-2001. After Pierce, Ray Williams took the position, and he remains Head of Education to the present.

The Department of Education seeks to enhance the public's awareness of and interest in the Middle Eastern and Far Eastern arts through many public programs, including film screenings, performances, and lectures; free pamphlets; and docent tours of the galleries.