Seeking Volunteers, Interns & Docents

The Napa Valley Museum needs Volunteers and Docents for its TWO Museums! Learn about art and share what you know, meet great new people, and support arts and education in your community!

Napa Valley Museum Yountville
Napa Valley Museum Yountville (NVMY) is Looking for Volunteers & Docents and has select Internship Opportunities*
The NVMY is located at 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville CA 94599
The NVMY is always looking for volunteers to help support its events, to work at the front desk and in the museum store, and occasionally to serve as docents for its exhibitions. The NVMY is located at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville. 

The Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (The MAC)
our new flagship location opening in Late 2024, is looking for volunteers and docents*
The MAC will be located at 607 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, right next door to Press restaurant. 

The MAC’s opening exhibition will be “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, a look into the extraordinary life of iconic chef and broadcasting pioneer Julia Child.

Volunteers at The MAC:
For this exhibition and future exhibitions, we are looking for volunteer assistance with:

• • Reception desk – provide admission information to visitors, bag check, etc.
  • Gift shop  – assist with sales, answer questions and keep things tidy.
  • Gallery attendant – provide assistance if needed for the interactive exhibits and monitor the gallery.

Volunteer time commitment

We would like our volunteers to commit to a minimum of one three-hour shift per week. Orientation and training take several hours.

Docents at The MAC:

Qualities that make for a good Docent are enthusiasm, patience, flexibility, and the ability to take a visitor-centered approach to touring. Successful Docents are interpersonal, skilled at interacting with visitors of all ages and interested in working as a member of a team. Docents are committed to learning new ways of engaging visitors and are willing to make the necessary time commitments to both training and touring.

What background is required?

Prior knowledge of art is not necessary; only an open mind, flexibility, interest, enthusiasm and time are required.

 

 

Candidates should possess:

• An interest in art, history, and culture.
• Good public speaking skills.
• Enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge.
• An ability to interpret and encourage others to interpret the stories behind the exhibits.
• Ability to work well with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Be at least a Age18
• Agree to the Museum’s non-smoking and other policies

What is the time commitment?

In general, docents will meet several times a week for two to three hours each day, prior to the opening of an exhibit. During the first several months of an exhibit, we will then meet once a week or as necessary to share strategies that work well and others that may need tweaking. 

All docents are expected to participate in as many docent meetings, workshops, talks, and lectures as possible. Independent study is also strongly encouraged to be immersed in the educational points of the exhibit. In addition to the regular meetings, docents may need to observe tours and/or spend time in the galleries reviewing the exhibit.

What does training involve?

Participants will attend two training sessions per week for several months to become familiar with the exhibits and learn effective strategies for engaging with visitors, practice active listening techniques, and methods for eliciting opinions from all viewers

What are the benefits to volunteering?

• Complimentary individual membership each year you volunteer.
• Annual recognition event.
• Special private briefings with artists and/or curators.
• Exclusive volunteer only events and opportunities.
• Discount tickets to events and special programs.
• Satisfaction at knowing you are helping to keep the arts and culture alive in Napa Valley.

*Docents receive the same benefits listed above plus the opportunity to meet new people and continuously learn about art, history and culture.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR VOLUNTEER, INTERN, DOCENT APPLICATION
If you are interested in any of these volunteer or docent positions, please email your completed application to:
Education Coordinator, Joel Kurtz at joel@napavalleymuseum.org or contact him at 707-944-0500 extension 103

Napa Valley Museum
PO Box 3567
Yountville, CA 94599
707.944.0500