Behind-the-scenes volunteers get to be just that - behind-the-scenes! We need your time and talents in a variety of areas.
Volunteer
The Elmhurst Art Museum is full of great opportunities to learn and to be part of our team. Our volunteers often provide an important point of contact with our visitors, and help with the essential part of our mission to spark creativity in others. For additional questions, please email volunteer@elmhurstartmuseum.org
Benefits
Help spark creativity in others by assisting our programs and gain behind-the-scenes insights. Volunteers receive discounts at the museum store, a museum t-shirt, free museum guest pass, and more.
Spring opportunity: Volunteer for Art in Wilder Park (May 4 & 5).
Candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. If interested in a volunteer position, apply through this online form. See below for descriptions of docent, gallery guide, event, and other volunteer positions.
Visit our employment page for curatorial and education internships.
Docent
Join our Docent Corps. Experience the excitement that comes from a continuing education experience of hosting school groups and other tours, lectures, and hands-on training. Make new friends with people who have similar interests, and become part of a great institution. Most of all, inspire multiple generations by helping visitors make discoveries and gain insight into about modern and contemporary art and architecture.
Commitment: The Docent training program runs once a month. Once you graduate from the training program, the commitment is for two shifts every month for one year. If interested, please complete this form.
Requirements: No experience is necessary – just enthusiasm for learning about modern and contemporary art and architecture, and an eagerness to share your passion. After completing training, you will be ready to give tours in the galleries and special exhibitions, helping our visitors make exciting discoveries about art and architecture.
Docents need to be able to move around the Museum comfortably for 3 hours at a time, have access to email and a computer, and have a love of sharing your enthusiasm with museum visitors.
Gallery Guide
Experience the excitement of enhancing the museum experience for all visitors by providing a welcoming and friendly environment for visitors and helping people have a quality museum experience. The Gallery Guide circulates throughout the EAM galleries and actively provides Museum information to visitors, addresses their inquiries, orients them to gallery exhibits and Museum rules, assists staff with some Museum programs and evaluation activities, assesses general condition of the galleries, and prepares reports to staff - all to raise the level of engagement in the galleries and heighten the visitor’s experience at the Museum. Please complete this volunteer form with your availability and interests.
Commitment: The Gallery Guide training program runs once a month. After successful completion, Gallery Guides commit to welcoming visitors into the EAM galleries, once a week, for 6-12 months.
Requirements: No experience is necessary – just enthusiasm for learning about modern and contemporary art and architecture, and an eagerness to share your passion. After completing training, you will be ready to welcome visitors in the galleries, helping our visitors make exciting discoveries about art and architecture.
Gallery Guides need to be able to move around the Museum comfortably for 3 hours at a time, have access to email and a computer, and have a love of sharing your enthusiasm with museum visitors.
Event/Project Volunteer
Events bring visitors together at the museum. An Events/Projects Volunteer provides essential support to Museum staff at a series of public programs and events (lectures, VIP events, film screenings, performances, etc). The Events/Projects Volunteer supports event set-up and break-down, guest check-in, way-finding, distribution of program materials, participant ushering and guidance, and helps to provide answers about the Museum. These volunteers provide assistance to the Museum staff with projects connected to education, exhibitions, visitor services and visitor experience. Shift lengths will vary, but will typically be 2-4 hours and will be in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. If interested, please apply through this online form.
Commitment: The Events/Projects Volunteer training program runs several times a year. After successful completion, the Events/Projects Volunteer will commit to supporting Elmhurst Art Museum events/projects, twice a month, for 6-12 months.
Requirements:
· Ability to spend 2-4 hour shifts on their feet (with time for breaks).
· Able to commit to 2 volunteer shifts per month (or the equivalent).
· Comfort with approaching and/or being approached by groups and individuals from all backgrounds.
· Comfort with speaking with large groups.
· Ability to interact with all visitors in a friendly and professional manner.
· Flexibility and willingness to assist in a variety of roles and adapt to change.
· 18 or older.
Thank you!