Volunteer/Intern
Volunteering at the LaGrange Art Museum
We offer a variety of positions in virtually all of our Museum areas.
The LAM Volunteer program is seeking adults from diverse backgrounds who have a passion for art, enjoy speaking in front of groups or one-on-one, and will lead small tours through the museum. An Art background is not necessary. Our training class will give you all the skills and information you need to conduct successful tours.
What you get:
- A volunteer job that really makes a difference
- A creative environment that will stimulate you
- Providing opportunities for others to experience the Arts (by helping to keep the doors
- Training in the Arts, information on each LAM exhibition, staff invitations to all LAM events, and a free annual Family membership
Below is an overview of the volunteer opportunities at the Museum. Volunteer acceptance is based on applications and an informal interview as well as the available space within departments.
LAM offers the following Volunteer Opportunities:
Docent the Latin term for “teacher,” is the title given to specially trained educational volunteers in zoos, aquariums, and museums. LAM Docents give tours of the Museum, answer questions from our guests, and utilize a variety of methods and approaches to educate and engage the public about art and creativity. Docents provide group learning experiences in the form of museum tours, demonstrations, or instruction in special activity areas, where appropriate, on their own or with the Museum Educator.
Guest Services Volunteer primary responsibilities of exhibition volunteers include greeting and welcoming visitors to the Museum and providing them with friendly and helpful assistance as they enter and exit an exhibition. Volunteers may also be asked to distribute educational information, gallery guides, solicit information for the mailing list, operate the Museum’s coat check or other Museum guest services as appropriate.
Gallery Attendant is a quiet role with limited contact with the public. If you love art and can comfortably speak with Museum visitors on a one-on-one or small group basis, this is a Volunteer role for you. The Museum and Cochran Gallery average between 20 – 50 visitors per day—mainly in groups of two or four. The Gallery Attendant is an Art Facilitator who gives Highlights tours to the public on a walk-in basis and provides an overview of some of the current exhibitions; answer simple questions that visitors might have; and provides a security presence in the Gallery.
Administrative Assistant is a studious role for someone who enjoys office work, filing and busy work. As appropriate, this role will work closely with LAM staff on basic to substantial Administration duties. If you have every wondered what it would be like to work in a Museum, then this is the job for you.
Education Assistant is a creative volunteer position for someone who is dedicated to developing creativity in our community. If you are or were an Art Teacher and want to put your skills to work for the Museum, or if you just love art and teaching/talking about it then this role is for you. Alongside skilled LAM art instructors and educators you will plan, prepare and assist in teaching art to a variety of participants—from the very young to the young at heart. As appropriate, you may also be asked to accompany LAM staff on Outreach projects.
If any of these sound interesting please come and be inspired both by sharing the wonders of the LAM permanent collection, the exciting special exhibitions and the art education activities, and by the interesting groups of people who will become your colleagues once you are a member of the LAM volunteer team.
Docents must be at least 16 years old and are required to commit to a minimum of 8 hours of monthly service (or 96 hours annually) for at least one year. Participants are asked to make a minimum of a two-year commitment after training and an evaluated tour. Docents attend ongoing, required training. Docents are required to select one day each week to be available to volunteer or conduct tours between 10 am and 4 pm.
If you are interested please first fill out the volunteer-applicationopens WORD file and email art@lagrangeartmuseum.orgcreate new email.