Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers make significant contributions to the many programs and public services offered by the National Gallery of Art. Potential volunteers should contact the departments in which they would like to offer assistance.
The Division of Education recruits and teaches volunteers to lead general tours. Various tours are designed to serve the interests of both children and adults and are made available for the permanent collections and special exhibitions.
Volunteer docents also give tours in foreign languages to students and adults. To participate in the foreign language program, a tour leader must speak with the fluency of a native speaker.
Apply to become a school docent at the National Gallery of Art
The Division of Education is currently recruiting School Docents. Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2009. For more information please read the introduction to the school docent program or e-mail docentcandidate@nga.gov.
The Department of Adult Programs recruits and orients volunteers who staff the Art Information Desks at the entrances to the East and West Buildings. Volunteer Art Information Specialists provide assistance and information to visitors, answering a range of questions about the permanent collections, special exhibitions, and Gallery programs and activities. For more information or to request an application form, call (202) 842-6179.
The Division of Horticulture recruits volunteers with a passion for gardening. For more information about the Division of Horticulture and to request a volunteer application, candidates should submit a letter of interest including all vital contact information to gardens@nga.gov.
For information on volunteer opportunities in the Art Research Library, please send your résumé to:
Head of Reader Services
National Gallery of Art
2000 B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
The Department of Teacher, School, and Family Programs recruits local high school student volunteers for the fall term (September through December), spring term (January through May), and summer term (June through August).
Student volunteers assist with clerical and administrative tasks that support the department's education programs. Typical activities include preparing materials for art projects, data entry, photocopying, collating, filing, and assisting during teacher programs.
Candidates for the High School Volunteer Program must be rising juniors or seniors with a mature, positive attitude and a strong work ethic. The schedule will vary weekly, based on the number of projects to be completed. The time commitment can range from four to sixteen hours per week, with periodic weekend work as well. Service hours will be documented and may be submitted for school-based community service credits.
Parking will not be provided.
Applications for the spring term must be postmarked by January 9, 2009. Applications for the summer term must be postmarked by May 8, 2009. Applications for the fall term must be postmarked by August 7, 2009. Please direct further inquiries to intern@nga.gov or to:
Teen Volunteer Program-DET
Division of Education
National Gallery of Art
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
See High School Programs or Teen Programs for more opportunities for high school students.
The National Gallery of Art copyist program has been in operation since the Gallery opened in 1941. A permit issued by the registrar's office is required for copying works of art in oil or any other liquid medium. The Gallery provides permit holders with an easel, stool, and drop cloth; private easels are not allowed. Visitors may sketch with pencils or other dry media in the galleries without a permit.
To participate in the copyist program, applicants must meet all requirements outlined in the National Gallery of Art "Rules Governing the Copying of Works of Art" and agree to an interview and a security background check; they must acknowledge in writing their acceptance of the rules. For more information on the copyist program, please e-mail your name and mailing address to copyist@nga.gov. A packet of materials will be mailed to you within seven business days.
The issue of a copyist permit does not in any way constitute the National Gallery of Art's endorsement of a copyist's work.
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| Volunteer: Docents | Art Information | Library | High School | Copyist | Horticulture |
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