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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.


Docent Committee
Volunteer of the Year


  Loretta Gates
Docent Committee Board – May 2008


Volunteer of the Year


 

Boyd Chapin
Speakers Bureau – April 2008


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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

  • On-the-job training
  • Introduction and tour of the auditorium

Requirements

  • Volunteer orientation
  • Application
  • Interview by Staff Advisor and/or Chairman

Commitment

  • One show per month minimum

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General Information
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