CAMERON ART MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS

Information for Docents

Are you interested in working alongside a diverse group of dedicated staff and volunteers? Want to know more about what goes on behind-the-scenes at Cameron Art Museum? As a volunteer, you may explore new areas of interest, meet stimulating people, get involved with Wilmington’s cultural community, attend social and educational events, and learn marketable skills.

Cameron Art Museum volunteers have provided several thousand hours of service, in a variety of volunteer roles. Volunteers have the opportunity to gain exposure to the day-to-day life of a major regional art museum and contribute valuable visitor services to a nonprofit institution. Our volunteers contribute their talents, knowledge, skills, enthusiasm, and energy and, in turn, provide an invaluable service to our community.

What are the personal qualities of a Museum Volunteer?

• Flexibility, patience and compassion to work with a diverse public and staff
• Integrity to represent the institution and oneself with the highest standards
• Dedication to the museum’s arts education mission and to the values of the volunteer program
• Reliability to consistently keep one’s volunteer schedule
• Ability to work shifts of two to four hours: Monday- Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm / Thursday 10:00am – 9:00pm and/or during special events
• Training will be provided

Recommended Skills Volunteer Criteria

Initiative taking, proactively seeking out visitor contact and comfortable speaking in front of a small group, friendly and outgoing, comfortable using cash register and computer technology, physical stamina—oftentimes shift or assignment will be spent standing or walking.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Information Desk

• Serve as ambassadors to the public
• Greet members, museum visitors and take admission fee on cash register
• Answer visitor questions and inquiries
• Encourage all visitors to sign the comments book
• Inform visitors on how to become a member
• Keep museum brochures and other museum visitor information stocked at desks
• Provide handouts and orient visitors to the galleries, the museum café, the museum store, restrooms, etc.
• Provide information about nearby museums, restaurants and transportation
• Help welcome and orient groups by greeting them, establishing whether they have a reservation, leading group to appropriate area/s or museum personnel
• Cash handling experience preferred

Museum Store

• Customer service, greet people, assist customers in finding merchandise
• Assist with stocking, pricing and displaying merchandise
• Take telephone orders and answer telephone inquiries
• Use cash register/point-of-sale system (cash handling experience preferred)
• Monitor inventories
• Offer memberships for member discount

Administrative Office

Whether it’s answering the phone, stuffing, filing, copying, data entry or all of the above, office volunteers are on the job. Volunteers work individually or in congenial small groups to perform these crucial tasks. Scheduling is determined by the projects available.

Special Events

Events require many volunteers throughout the year. Assist with welcoming guests, ticket-taking and/or sign-in, directing guests and way finding, serving food and beverages; informing visitors on how to become a member of Cameron Art Museum and offering member benefits; encouraging visitors to sign the comments book or computer. As needed; be aware that events may be scheduled after-hours.

Benefits

Are there benefits to becoming a volunteer? You bet.

• Free admission to museum
• Develop new skills
• Opportunity to meet artists
• Meet new friends
• Build professional relationships
• Special events
• Awards and recognition

Other museum volunteer positions may be available. To get a complete list of currently available opportunities, please contact
Beth Ann Scisco
Deputy Director of Operations
(910) 395-5999 ext. 1023
bascisco@cameronartmuseum.com

Download the Volunteer Application Form

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at CAM! We welcome any questions or inquiries you have, so please feel free to contact us anytime.

Volunteer Application Form