Volunteering
Why museums? - Job hunting - Case studies - Where can I work?
Volunteering - Qualifications - Getting a first job
Volunteering - Qualifications - Getting a first job
You are unlikely to get a foot on the career ladder without some work experience, which means becoming a museum volunteer. The following museums, galleries and heritage organisations have well-run volunteer programmes on offer:
The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere employs about 12 volunteers at any one time. The trust's volunteer programme provides volunteers with a place to live, some basic expenses and a training programme. Further information can be found at the Trust's website: www.wordsworth.org.uk
The Newylyn Art Gallery in Penzance is looking for volunteers to help with administrative work, assistance with marketing, education and exhibitions, retail and cafe work. For more details, contact Gemma Thorpe, operations manager, on 01736 363715, or email gemma@newlynartgallery.co.uk
The National Trust has a 40,000 strong volunteer workforce that outnumbers paid staff by seven to one. There are opportunities to work in the countryside or a National Trust garden, to be a steward in a trust property, or work on the administrative or research side. The trust even runs working holidays for volunteers. Further information can be found at the Trust's website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteering
Museums Journal contains occasional requests for volunteers in its Noticeboard section. But on the whole there is no easy way to find voluntary work - you have to approach individual museums yourself. To join the MA and receive Museums Journal monthly, click here
If you know of any other organisations that should be on this list, please let us know by emailing: feedback@museumsassociation.org
The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere employs about 12 volunteers at any one time. The trust's volunteer programme provides volunteers with a place to live, some basic expenses and a training programme. Further information can be found at the Trust's website: www.wordsworth.org.uk
The Newylyn Art Gallery in Penzance is looking for volunteers to help with administrative work, assistance with marketing, education and exhibitions, retail and cafe work. For more details, contact Gemma Thorpe, operations manager, on 01736 363715, or email gemma@newlynartgallery.co.uk
The National Trust has a 40,000 strong volunteer workforce that outnumbers paid staff by seven to one. There are opportunities to work in the countryside or a National Trust garden, to be a steward in a trust property, or work on the administrative or research side. The trust even runs working holidays for volunteers. Further information can be found at the Trust's website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteering
Museums Journal contains occasional requests for volunteers in its Noticeboard section. But on the whole there is no easy way to find voluntary work - you have to approach individual museums yourself. To join the MA and receive Museums Journal monthly, click here
If you know of any other organisations that should be on this list, please let us know by emailing: feedback@museumsassociation.org
Tips on volunteering
• Don't limit your efforts to national and large regional museums and galleries. They are probably overwhelmed with requests for voluntary work
• Apply to smaller local museums. You are likely to get a broader range of experience
• Treat your request as if you are applying for paid work - find out about the museums you are interested in, visit them if you can and when you contact them explain why you want to volunteer for them
• Be honest about how much time you have available - you're more likely to find an opening if you are available for the same amount of time each week
• Remember that it's not the amount of experience you gain through volunteering but what you make of it that will count in your favour when looking to progress your career in museums or galleries.
• Don't limit your efforts to national and large regional museums and galleries. They are probably overwhelmed with requests for voluntary work
• Apply to smaller local museums. You are likely to get a broader range of experience
• Treat your request as if you are applying for paid work - find out about the museums you are interested in, visit them if you can and when you contact them explain why you want to volunteer for them
• Be honest about how much time you have available - you're more likely to find an opening if you are available for the same amount of time each week
• Remember that it's not the amount of experience you gain through volunteering but what you make of it that will count in your favour when looking to progress your career in museums or galleries.
