Volunteering at the Asian Art Museum

About Being an Asian Art Museum Volunteer

The museum relies on the enthusiasm, energy and commitment of more than 400 individuals — architecture guides, docents, storytellers, and frontline volunteers — to enhance the museum experience for visitors, bringing art and people together.

Become one of the valued frontline volunteers who bring the Asian Art Museum alive for visitors.

What Is a Frontline Volunteer?

Frontline volunteers help either at the information desk and coat check or in the Cha May Ching Museum Boutique. Information desk and coat check volunteers extend a friendly welcome when visitors first arrive and guide them to locations and activities of interest. Museum boutique volunteers provide excellent customer service, creating a great retail experience by helping visitors find merchandise that relates to artworks in the collection galleries and/or special exhibitions.

No previous experience is required and you don’t have to be familiar with or an expert in Asian art. Because the museum serves diverse audiences, frontline volunteers come from all Bay Area communities and all walks of life and backgrounds, from high-schoolers to retirees. Volunteering offers unique opportunities to:

• Learn about Asian art and culture
• Enjoy a vibrant and creative atmosphere
• Meet new people and connect with the museum community
• Explore the museum’s collection and special exhibitions
• Support your favorite museum!
• After you’ve had a chance to review the details below, please fill out our Volunteer Application to be considered and receive information about next steps. Feel free to contact [email protected] with any questions you may have prior to applying. We look forward to receiving your volunteer application!

Benefits:

In addition to learned experience, volunteers in good standing that have completed the threshold requirement for receiving benefits may receive the following:

• The opportunity to learn more about the Asian Art Museum’s collection and special exhibitions
• Unlimited free admission to the permanent collection and most special exhibitions
• Invitations to programs, special tours, lectures, and exhibition previews
• Access to the museum’s research library (by appointment)
• Invitation to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
• Recognition for service milestones
• 20% discount at the Cha May Ching Museum Boutique
• 10% discount at Asian Box
• 20% discount on museum membership (must be an active volunteer at the time of purchase or renewal)
• Additional volunteer opportunities around the museum, including opportunities to participate in project-based or one-time activities for volunteers
• Opportunities to volunteer with others who have similar interests and to share your enjoyment and knowledge of the museum with visitors
• Pride in representing a valued art museum to visitors from your community and from around the world

Expectations and Requirements

We expect frontline volunteers to regularly volunteer for at least one year from their start date and to volunteer a minimum of 96 hours annually, the equivalent of two four-hour shifts each month. A mandatory onboarding session is required before you may begin volunteering for the Asian Art Museum. All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

Primary volunteer assignments will be in support of the information desk, coat check, or in the Museum Boutique. In addition to primary assignments, there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and ways to support the Asian Art Museum, including welcoming guests for public programs, getting creative with art activities in the Shriram Learning Center, administrative support, and more.

Some volunteer opportunities may require you to complete a threshold of core volunteer shifts at coat check or the boutique as a prerequisite for additional roles. Fill in the appropriate information for the volunteer area(s) in which you have an interest when filling out your application.

Expectations

• You have a desire to make each visitor’s experience of the Asian Art Museum a memorable one
• You have an outgoing, positive, enthusiastic attitude and are comfortable meeting and interacting with a wide variety of people
• You will be warm and welcoming to all visitors, greeting each with a smile
• You are dependable, reliable, and punctual for volunteer assignments
• You have a willingness to learn what you need to know to do your volunteer assignment
• You show a willingness to cooperate with staff and other volunteers, accepting supervision and evaluation of your volunteer work
• You are familiar with and have access to a computer for correspondence and scheduling
• Because the museum serves diverse audiences, we recruit individuals from all Bay Area communities to volunteer, including those with multilingual skills (a plus but not a requirement)

Requirements

• You are at least 16 years old
• You can commit to 96 hours annually, the equivalent of two four-hour shifts each month
• Completion of a mandatory onboarding session

How to Apply to Become an Asian Art Museum Frontline Volunteer

• Learn more about a specific volunteer opportunity by clicking on one of the Ways to Volunteer tabs below.
• Volunteer applications are accepted at all times. We will keep your volunteer application on file for up to six months
• SFUSD students applying to fulfill community service hours should tick the appropriate box on the volunteer application
• Volunteers applying for the summer months (May to September) must apply by May to be considered and must volunteer more frequently than twice a month for the summer months

Ways to Volunteer:

Apply Now