SAM involves hundreds of volunteers in dynamic and engaging opportunities at all three museum sites. Our volunteers provide great customer service, support administrative tasks, facilitate art experiences, and more.

Prospective volunteers should be passionate about art and enjoy interacting with the public. We have Ongoing Volunteer opportunities for people able to make at least a six-month commitment to a weekly or every-other-week schedule. We also occasionally offer One Day Volunteer opportunities for people who are not able to make a longer commitment. See below for volunteer applications.​​

We use several web-based tools to communicate with our volunteers. Please use the links to the right to access information for your volunteer assignment.

Volgistics

Volgistics is our volunteer management system. It has two modules. VicTouch is the on-site component where you sign in and out for your volunteer shift; VicNet is the web-based module where you can:​

• Update your contact information

• Check your schedule

• Sign up for shifts

• View your service record

Please contact the Volunteer Department with any questions about Volgistics.

Volunteer Links

VicNet

Art Studio Wiki

Docents Wiki

OSP Wiki

SAMbassadors Wiki​​

From coat check to docent tours, we rely on volunteers to successfully run the museum’s diverse programs. Read below for descriptions of the ongoing volunteer positions at SAM.

We are doing limited volunteer recruitment and only accepting volunteer applications for Ambassadors and Park Stewards at the Olympic Sculpture Park at this time. Please see the position description below. We will open recruitment for other volunteer positions in summer 2018.

Apply Now

Fill out our Ongoing Volunteer Application.

To request that an application be mailed to you, please contact:
Volunteer Department
Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
206.654.3168
Email us.​​

Looking for internship information? Click here!​​

One Day Volunteers assist with events at all three SAM Locations. One Day Volunteers should be at least 16 years old. Some opportunities may require volunteers to be 18 years or older. One Day Volunteers are not entitled to compensation or standard volunteer benefits.

There are no one day volunteer positions at this time.
Please check back soon for future opportunities.

Apply Now

Fill out our One Day Volunteer Application.

Looking for corporate or group volu​nteer opportunities? Email us!​​

Please note: not all positions listed are available at all times.

Ambassador

Olympic Sculpture Park​​
Greet and welcome visitors; answer questions and provide accurate information about the Olympic Sculpture Park facilities, artwork, and exhibitions, with special focus on the Neukom Vivarium. Prospective volunteers should enjoy interacting with the public. Training required, provided by SAM. Weekly or twice-per-month shifts, weekends, 2–3 hours.

Art Studio

All three museum locations
Help youth have an enriching educational experience in the hands-on Art Studio. Assist Teaching Artists with setup, clean-up, demonstration and use of materials for school groups of 30 students. Experience working with youth preferred. Requires excellent communication skills, interest or knowledge of art education, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all ages. Weekly or twice-per-month shifts, October–June, Wednesday–Friday, 9:30 am–12:30 pm.

Coat Check

Seattle Art Museum
Ensure that all visitors have a positive and enjoyable experience. Greet and welcome guests, check coats and belongings, and assist museum visitors. Requires a warm, professional public presence and customer service orientation; ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors; ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 20 pounds. Training provided. Minimum two shifts per month: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–1:30 pm or 1:30–5 pm; Thursday 5–9 pm.

Events Support

All three museum locations
Be the host with the most at after-hours programs, family programs, members' previews, and other special events. Greet guests, usher, check coats and parcels, and assist with art making activities.. Requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors. Physical requirements may include standing for extended periods and lifting up to ten pounds. Requires six shifts per year; evenings and weekends.

Information Desk

Seattle Art Museum
Welcome visitors at the Information Desk during selected hours. Learn to access information desk materials and give accurate information about all aspects of the museum to visitors and information line callers. Requires excellent communication skills, a sincere enjoyment of people, and the ability to deal positively with difficult visitors. Knowledge of Seattle and tourist attractions is helpful. Minimum commitment: two three-and-a-half-hour shifts per month.

Libraries

Seattle Art Museum & Asian Art Museum
Assist library staff with a variety of projects including preparing catalogued materials, re-shelving, assisting patrons, and working on research or filing projects. Applicants must have superb computer skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work with others in a professional manner. Most library volunteer positions require previous experience working in libraries or educational equivalent. Beginning March 2, 2017, the McCaw Foundation Library at the Asian Art Museum will be closed and volunteer shifts will not be available. Minimum commitment: two shifts per month, Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm.​

Park Steward

Olympic Sculpture Park
Work outdoors! Assist Olympic Sculpture Park staff with landscape maintenance projects, weeding, invasive plant removal, etc. Prospective volunteers should enjoy being outside and interacting with the public. Training required, provided by SAM. Twice-per-month, three-hour shifts, March–October, Tuesday–Sunday.

SAMbassador

Seattle Art Museum
Greet and welcome visitors in the museum galleries, answer questions, provide directions, engage in conversations about art and exhibitions. Requires a warm, professional public presence and customer service orientation, ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors, and the ability to stand/walk for three hours. Required training provided by SAM. Minimum commitment: twice-per-month shifts for one year following training; Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–1 pm or 1–4 pm; Thursday, 6–9 pm.