Volunteer

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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 Open Volunteer positions 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.

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS

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

Volunteer Positions

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 a 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.

Docent Program

All three museum locations
Lead tours of SAM's collections and special exhibitions for school, public, and private audiences.

Education Resource Center

Seattle Art Museum
Help visitors utilize SAM’s Education Resource Center (ERC) in this public-facing role. As an ERC volunteer you will help oversee day-to-day library operations at the Anne P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center, labeling new library materials, maintaining order of the library shelves and general appearance, performing data-entry, and more. Strong computer skills are required, along with an ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Required training provided by SAM. Weekly or twice-per-month shifts, Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm, 2 - 5 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 & Olympic Sculpture Park
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.

Greeter

Seattle Art Museum
Volunteer Greeters welcome and direct visitors to the museum, and answer general questions. Minimum commitment: one 4-hour shift per month: First Thursdays 10 am – 2 pm or 2 – 6 pm, or as otherwise arranged based on volunteer’s ability.

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. 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.

SAM Camp Volunteer

Olympic Sculpture Park
Assist SAM staff and teaching artists in facilitating meaningful, hands-on art making and learning experiences for SAM campers and help to maintain a safe environment. Volunteers will need to commit to at least one full week of camp in July.

Tea Ceremony Volunteer

Seattle Art Museum
Tea Ceremony Volunteers assist SAM’s Adult Public Programs Department in administering one Tea Ceremony presented by the Urasenke Foundation each month on the third Thursday and third Sunday of every month. Minimum commitment: One shift per month, third Thursdays 5:30 – 8 pm or third Sunday 1:30 – 4 pm.

Seattle Art Museum acknowledges that we are on the traditional homelands of the Duwamish and the customary territories of the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Peoples. As a cultural and educational institution, we honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future. We also acknowledge the urban Native peoples from many Nations who call Seattle their home.