The Gardiner Museum is open seven days a week! Explore our permanent collection, discover special exhibitions, and get hands-on with clay in our studios. We look forward to welcoming you.
Discover an exhibition of new work in our lobby by members of Inspirations Studio, a unique low-barrier ceramics program in Toronto for women and gender diverse people who have experienced marginalization.
Our Joy of Ceramics fundraiser returns on October 27, featuring a presentation by Sarah Milroy, Chief Curator at the McMichael Gallery, who will talk about a work by Shary Boyle, including its many meanings and her decision to donate it. This event sells out every year!
Every object in our permanent collection can be accessed through our eMuseum portal. Learn about individual collecting areas, like Italian Maiolica or Modern and Contemporary Ceramics, or search the full collection by keyword. You'll be amazed by what you discover!
Help us continue to offer innovative and engaging exhibitions, programs, and community projects in person and online, as well as plan for the future. Please consider making a donation today.
Volunteers have always been the backbone of the Gardiner, and are important members of our community.
With roles to play in every aspect of the Museum’s operations, volunteering not only gives you an insider’s understanding of how the Museum works, it puts you at the forefront of our mission to build community with clay.
If you’re passionate about providing a welcoming experience for Museum guests, gaining experience in an arts institution, or learning and sharing information about our collections, there’s a role to play at the Gardiner.
Volunteers support the Museum through Visitor Services (including working at the Front Desk and in the Shop), Museum Education (including Docents and Gallery Greeters), and at Special Events (including our Family Day programming and annual fundraising events).
Active volunteers at the Gardiner receive benefits including:
If you’re interested in volunteering at the Gardiner, click here to fill out the application form. We welcome applications year-round; however, intake of new volunteers takes place only twice per year. After you’ve submitted your application, you will receive email confirmation of the timeline for the next intake session.
Archives
Archives Volunteers help to preserve the history of the Gardiner Museum and the Gardiner Volunteer Committee. Prior archival training is required for this role. At this time, Archives Volunteers typically work shifts together on Wednesdays from 10 am – 1 pm, and we ask for a commitment of a minimum of one year.
Docents
Gardiner Museum Docents are responsible for leading daily guided tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions, as well as privately booked tours as requested. Intakes for docent training occur less frequently as the training is more extensive and takes roughly six months to complete. Volunteers interested in taking on the docent role should be prepared to commit to a minimum of two years after training. We encourage Gardiner Museum Volunteers in other volunteer roles to apply for docent training (when it is offered) if they are interested in transitioning to a docent position.
Family Days
Family Day Volunteers facilitate our weekly family-oriented workshops that are included in admission every Sunday. Volunteer duties include assisting staff in leading clay-based activities for children, helping families complete scavenger hunts, and more! Volunteers interested in volunteering for Family Days should be willing to commit to a minimum of two Sundays a month for six months, and have an interest in working with children.
Front Desk
Front Desk Volunteers welcome visitors, process admissions and memberships using a point of sale (POS) system, and provide general information to visitors both in person and over the phone. Prior POS experience is an asset but is not required for this position. We ask Front Desk Volunteers to commit to two four-hour shifts per month for a minimum of one year.
Library
Library Volunteers work in the Gail Brooker Ceramic Research Library located in the basement of the Gardiner Museum, which houses over 2,500 volumes. Prior experience working in a library is an asset. Please note: We are not currently accepting any new volunteers for the Library Committee.
Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet Volunteers act as information ambassadors for the Museum. They provide visitors with information including tour times, hours, accessibility information, and details about the Museum’s collections and history. This is a great starter role for anyone who is interested in taking part in the docent training program at a later date. We ask Meet & Greet Volunteers to commit to two four-hour shifts per month for a minimum of one year.
Gardiner Shop
Shop Volunteers provide customers with information about Gardiner Shop artists and pieces, process sales and memberships using a point of sale (POS) system, and assist staff with inventory. Prior POS and retail experience is an asset but is not required for this position. We ask Shop Volunteers to commit to two four-hour shifts per month for a minimum of one year.
We also offer additional volunteer opportunities only available to volunteers active in one of the above seven committees. Participation in these “mini-committees” is entirely voluntary and is not a requirement of volunteering at the Gardiner Museum; however many volunteers find these experiences rewarding and enjoyable.
APPLY HERE
Thank you for considering volunteering at the Gardiner Museum.