Volunteer
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to volunteer at a world-class art museum? Would you like to help support accessibility to the arts at a landmark cultural institution? Are you over 18 years old?
We are looking for interested candidates to join our team. Our volunteers are ambassadors of the Stanford art museums and essential front-line team members. We rely on volunteers to facilitate and ensure an inclusive and positive visitor experience for everyone. No prior art knowledge necessary!
Museum Engagement Guide
Are you looking for a way to become involved in museums? Do you enjoy talking with people about art? The Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection, both at Stanford University, are jointly recruiting a new class of Museum Engagement Guides!
Applications Open September 2024
Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a Museum Engagement Guide for the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection! Our next training cohort will begin in January 2025.
If you have any questions please contact Sandhya Rajan, Community Learning and Engagement Associate, Cantor Arts Center.
We look forward to hearing from you!
About the Opportunity
Our Museum Engagement Training Program focuses on learning about the history and collections of the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection at Stanford University as well as developing critical skills and techniques for authentic, visitor-centered engagement. The training will incorporate in-gallery sessions, workshops, discussions, readings, virtual presentations, and more.
At the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace! We are especially looking for people of ALL backgrounds who are passionate about art and enthusiastic about sharing stories with others. A background in art history is not required. We encourage anyone,18 years of age and older with interest, to apply for this volunteer position!
Program Structure
The two year commitment which includes six months of initial training. The training will be delivered in a hybrid format consisting of several in-person and online sessions and training modules. The online modules will consist of self-paced readings, videos, online material, and discussion boards will be assigned between our in person sessions.
Benefits at a Glance
Once trained, Museum Engagement Guides enjoy great benefits, such as: spending time in the museums weekly engaging with a diverse visitor community, ongoing continued education resources, access to Stanford University libraries with lending privileges and online research, a complimentary membership to both the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection and many more. Click here for a full list of Museum Engagement Guide benefits.
Time Commitment
Museum Engagement Guides are expected to make a two year commitment which includes six months of initial training. The training will be delivered in a hybrid format consisting of in-person sessions and online modules.
Information Sessions
Are you interested to join us as a Museum Engagement Guide? We will conduct informational sessions to answer any questions that you may have.
Upcoming Information Sessions:
Check back soon!
Training Calendar
In-person training sessions are twice per month on Saturdays, 10:00am-2:00pm with lunch provided. *Attendance for all in-person sessions is mandatory.
Training calendar coming soon
Benefits of Becoming a Museum Engagement Guide
As soon as you begin training you will:
- Become part of a broader community of learners, facilitators, and teachers
- Spend time each week in the world class museums at Stanford
- Have access to Stanford University libraries, with both lending privileges at the physical libraries and online research resource access
- Enjoy annual volunteer appreciation events
Once trained you will:
- Receive a Certificate of Completion
- Receive complimentary memberships to the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection
- Have access to ongoing continuing education resources developed specifically for the museum volunteer communities
- Be able to audit select Stanford University courses to further support your ongoing learning and professional development in subjects such as Archaeology, Anthropology, Art and Art History, Latin American Studies, African and African American Studies, European History, Asian Studies and more!
- Provide tours and other in-gallery engagement opportunities to museum visitors, gaining insight from and taking part in conversation with diverse audiences