Are you looking for a way to add richness to your life? Break out of the same-old same-old? Explore
new horizons? Maybe even meet that someone special? Museums can give your inner
diva a chance to shine!
No, we’re not talking about plunking down fifteen dollars and touring the Impressionist gallery at
the art museum. We’re talking about getting involved. That’s right--volunteering at your local museum, arts
organization, or historical society. Getting behind the scenes and working with
the people who get things done. Making a contribution to your community and
having some fun, too.
Museums come in all shapes and sizes. Of course we all know about the biggies like the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the biggest of all, the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, DC. These museums host hundreds of thousands of visitors every year
and employ thousands of people in many departments. They also need armies of
volunteers, from board members to docents and visitor services staff.
But you need not live in a big city to find opportunities. Museums can be as small as a single historic
house in a rural community. Chances are, in your town there is a local
historical society that owns and maintains a historic house, or maybe there is
a regional history museum. There may be a specialized “boutique” museum, such
as a museum dedicated to quilting or automobiles or native arts and crafts.
They may be small, but they have the same needs as big museums--they have to raise money, care for collections,
and serve their visitors. They all need volunteers!
What kinds of opportunities exist in museums? Here are a few.
- Board member Every museum has a volunteer board of trustees or board of directors, ranging from fifteen people to as many as fifty. Generally, small museums (those with annual budgets less than $1 million) have “working boards” whose members are expected to volunteer on various committees. This is a great way to get involved and to meet new people! Be advised that many big-city museums will require a minimum cash donation every year, which could be as high as ten thousand dollars. The flip side is that as a board member, you’ll have insiders’ access to the most exclusive museum events.
- Special Events Many museums have committees that are not part of the board and which have just one task: to organize and present special fundraising events. These committees may be called a “Museum Council” or “Friends” group. Fundraising events are typically gala dinners, auctions, antiques shows, or even cruises. Generally the group has a variety of sub-committees charged with different tasks, such as decorating, ticket sales, advertising, and catering. Joining a special events group is a great way to get involved without committing to being a full board member.
- Docent If interacting with the public is more your style, consider becoming a docent or visitor services guide. You’ll be responsible for guiding visitors through the museum and telling the story of the exhibits. Being a docent means immersing yourself in the museum’s knowledge base, so if you volunteer as a docent in a local textile museum, you should have an interest the history of the industry and the use of textiles in clothing and home furnishings.
How does a diva get started?
Chances are you already know someone who is involved with your local museum. Many volunteer groups have special meetings where new volunteers are introduced. If you have to, just walk right up to the admissions desk and ask! Chances are you’ll be put to work right away--museums are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and capable volunteers.
Good luck and have fun!
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