Get Involved / Volunteer

If you love the DIA and are interested in learning more, why not join the museum family by volunteering? It’s a wonderful chance to become an art aficionado, meet new and interesting friends, and experience the excitement of being part of one of the greatest art museums in the United States.

The DIA's Volunteer Committee is a group of more than 600 individuals who donate their time to provide a great experience for museum visitors, and to extend the DIA's presence beyond our walls.

Volunteers talk about the DIA's outstanding collection to school children, guide tour groups through the museum, serve as gallery hosts, staff the information desks, assist in the museum shop, lecture to adult groups in the community and help the museum staff do everything from stuffing envelopes to cataloging photographs. Each of the eight service committees serves as a "home base" for volunteers within the larger structure of the Volunteer Committee.

You can belong to more than one service committee and will receive training for your specific duties. Each of the committees has different requirements, but the "basics" apply to everyone: DIA membership, a desire to work in an art environment, and enthusiasm!

Joining our volunteer family is simple. Begin by reviewing the committee descriptions and requirements by clicking on the links below. Then use the online form to indicate the committees that appeal to you. After processing your information, we will send you an invitation to an orientation session.

Committees:
Art to the Schools Docents
Gallery Information
Gallery Services
Museum Docents
Museum Shop
Speakers Bureau
Staff Aides
DFT Ushers

Flexible schedules are available on weekdays, weekends and Friday evenings. To learn more, contact the Volunteer Services Department at 313.494.5221.

View the Volunteer Committee Newsletter [PDF format]

Docent Committee
Volunteer of the Year

Loretta Gates
Docent Committee Board – May 2008

Volunteer of the Year

Boyd Chapin
Speakers Bureau – April 2008

View All Volunteers of the Year

Art to the Schools Docents

Bring the treasures of the DIA to the classrooms of 3rd through 6th graders in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Volunteers use the DIA’s collection to stimulate critical thinking, enrich established curricula, create future museum goers and encourage family visits to the museum

Training
10-month training program, September-June (2 days per week)

Survey of World Art
Techniques development
Practice of learned skills
Additional mandatory trainings in subsequent years.

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Apply with the DIA’s Education Department
Interview
Staff approval upon completion of training
Furnish own transportation

Commitment

Three years preferred
One talk per week minimum (during school year)
Monthly meeting
Minimum 50 hours service per year

top

Gallery Information

Become the friendly face of the DIA as you welcome and assist visitors at the information desks and in the galleries. Gallery Information volunteers give directions, answer general questions about the museum's collections, provide news about museum activities, and assist visitors.

Training

Desk duty training, including TMS database
Use of reference resources
On-the-job training

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Interview by Staff Advisor and/or Chairman
Training seminar

Commitment

One half-day per week or every other weekend
Committee meetings as scheduled
Collection tours and enrichments as scheduled
Minimum 50 hours service per year for active status

top

Gallery Service

Surround yourself with art and help visitors at the same time. Gallery Service volunteers maintain a presence in the galleries and serve as hosts, greeting and assisting visitors in their assigned areas.

Training

2-hour classroom training
On-the-job training

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Application
Interview by Staff Advisor and/or Chairman

Commitment

Four hours one day per month, minimum
One committee meeting every other month
Minimum 50 hours service per year for active status; 36 hours for part-time status

top

Museum Docents

Become a docent and guide visitors of all ages on tours of the museum’s extraordinary permanent collection. Museum docents tour students in grades 3-12, Tuesday through Friday, and adults daily during the DIA’s open hours including Friday nights.

Training
10-month training program, September-June (2 days per week)

Survey of World Art
Techniques development
Practice of learned skills
Additional mandatory trainings in subsequent years.

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Apply with the DIA’s Education Department
Interview
Staff approval upon completion of training

Commitment

Three years preferred
Must be available for school tours
Minimum 20 tours per year
Monthly meeting
Minimum 50 hours service per year

top

Museum Shop

If you like art and you like shopping, this is the place for you. The museum shop gives visitors the chance to take home a memory of their museum visit and earns important revenue for museum operations. Volunteers assist staff in restocking and in helping visitors to select purchases from a variety of merchandise including books, posters, jewelry, and art-related gift items.

Training

On-the-job training in sales and shop operation

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Application
Training seminar
Interview by Staff Advisor and/or Chairman

Commitment

Attend committee meetings
3-4 hour shift
Minimum 50 hours service per year

top

Speakers Bureau

Volunteers bring the DIA’s world-class collection to adult groups & organizations in Metro Detroit and beyond through informative presentations on a variety of subjects. Speakers Bureau volunteers also prepare and present talks on special exhibitions, encourage and promote DIA visits and programs, and bring a deeper appreciation for the museum and its collection to their audiences.

Training

Survey of World Art Course
Techniques development
Oral presentations
Additional mandatory trainings in subsequent years

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Apply with the DIA Education Department
Interview
Staff approval upon completion of training
Furnish own transportation

Commitment

Prepare talks on permanent collection
Minimum 5 presentations per year
Attend 5 committee meetings a year
Minimum 50 hours per year

top

Staff Aides (not currently accepting volunteers)

If you ever wondered how one of the best museums in the country is run, become a staff aide and find out. Staff aides assist both the museum and Volunteer Committee in everything from working in groups on mass mailings to individual placement in the various museum departments. The tasks are varied and interesting. While business skills are valued, they are not essential. Training is available.

Training

On-the-job training in the various areas in which staff aides serve

Requirements

Volunteer orientation
Profile sheet
Interview by Staff Advisor and/or Chairman
Willingness to work when and where assigned

Commitment

Committee meetings as needed
Minimum 50 hours service per year

top

DFT Ushers

DFT Volunteer Ushers welcome and assist patrons in the DIA auditorium. They give directions, answer questions, and seat patrons. The Detroit Film Theatre operates on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Volunteers may also be asked to help for other special programs in the auditorium. Volunteers are particularly needed for the late shows and both shows on Saturdays.

Training