Please note: We are not currently accepting new volunteer applications. We thank you for your interested. Please check back at a later date.
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:
- Discounts in the Gardiner Shop
- Free admission to a selection of the Gardiner’s Signature Lecture Series
- Reciprocal benefits at a number of other tourist destinations
- Invites to annual Volunteer Engagement/Appreciation events
If you’re interested in volunteering at the Gardiner, Click here. 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.
The Gardiner fondly remembers those volunteers no longer with us, and commemorates their important contributions in the Book of Remembrance.
Douglas G. Gardner Outstanding Volunteer Award
This award is presented annually to a volunteer who exemplifies a passion for ceramics, a welcoming attitude, and a love of knowledge-sharing.
Adele Shamie, 2020
Bette Ounjian, 2021
Ruth Wolff, 2022
Be Klasky, 2023
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.
- Administrative Volunteers: Ranging from envelope stuffing to making phone calls, administrative volunteer opportunities arise on a regular basis. The specifics of the required task is always given before the shifts are released.
- Special Events Volunteers: The Gardiner Museum holds a variety of programming and special events throughout the year, and often volunteer support is welcomed. Duties in this area vary depending on the event, and details are always given beforehand.
- Fundraising: The GVC actively fundraises for the Gardiner Museum, hosting an annual Joy of Ceramics Luncheon coordinated entirely by our volunteers.
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. We are currently planning to offer our next docent training program in late spring/early summer 2019. 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.
- Administrative Volunteers: Ranging from envelope stuffing to making phone calls, administrative volunteer opportunities arise on a regular basis. The specifics of the required task is always given before the shifts are released.
- Special Events Volunteers: The Gardiner Museum holds a variety of programming and special events throughout the year, and often volunteer support is welcomed. Duties in this area vary depending on the event, and details are always given beforehand.
- Fundraising: The GVC actively fundraises for the Gardiner Museum, hosting an annual Joy of Ceramics Luncheon coordinated entirely by our volunteers.
APPLY HERE Thank you for considering volunteering at the Gardiner Museum.