In accordance with the announcement by the provincial government, the Gardiner Museum has closed temporarily, effective Monday November 23. While this news is difficult, the health and safety of our visitors, staff, and the wider community remains our top priority. We'll continue to provide you with engaging digital content to keep us connected while the galleries are closed.
During our temporary closure, we're posting exhibitions and selections from our collection online. Discover Inuit ceramics, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, pottery from the Ancient Americas, and more!
In accordance with instructions from the provincial government, the Museum closed to the public on Monday November 28 and we have cancelled all clay classes. We regret the inconvenience this may cause, but are hopeful that these actions will help maintain the health and safety of our communities. We will automatically be crediting students with a refund for remaining sessions.
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!
With the Museum closed temporarily, we need your support to continue to offer innovative and engaging exhibitions, programs, and community projects online, as well as plan for the future. Please consider making a donation to help us build community with clay.
The Gardiner Museum houses many interesting and unique treasures but none more valuable than its volunteers.
The Gardiner Museum is proud to be supported by the Gardiner Volunteer Committee (GVC) with volunteers taking on roles as Archivists, Docents, Family Day Ambassadors, Front Desk Volunteers, Librarians, Information Ambassadors, and Shop Volunteers. For more information on each of these seven volunteer roles please continue reading.
There are many benefits to volunteering at the Gardiner Museum including:
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Click here to access the application form. Please note, at this time we are not accepting volunteers who are younger than 18.
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.
APPLY HERE
Thank you for considering volunteering at the Gardiner Museum.