Volunteering
Contribute to your community, meet new people, and become a part of something exciting by volunteering at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
The dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm of the AGH Volunteer Committee is greatly valued. Since the Gallery was established more than 100 years ago, our Volunteers have exemplified the spirit of the AGH. Working in collaboration with staff, AGH Volunteers support Gallery initiatives and services, delivering a wonderful experience for all our visitors.
Explore the positions below to find out how you can contribute to the Gallery as a Volunteer. No matter your age or skill set, there’s a place for you here at the AGH!
We have a current need for new volunteers for Summer Camp (High School Volunteers) and Docent Tour Guides.
Education: Docent/Library
Docents are specially educated Volunteers who facilitate tour experiences for visiting groups of all ages. Each year, the AGH welcomes over 8,000 students for discovery tours, adult touring groups and public tours several times a week.
Following a ten-session training course, new Docents become actively involved in delivering exhibition tours to school groups ranging from kindergarten to Grade 12. Docents also attend regular meetings where they review and discuss exhibition information, artists and their works, touring techniques, art research, etc. As well, AGH Curators and other guest speakers deliver in-depth talks about current exhibitions and art in general. Docents engage in personal research and tour development strategies, work collaboratively with their peers, and are computer-literate. The AGH trains new Docents as the need arises; please ask about the next class.
Unfortunately we will not be offering Docent training in 2018. In the meantime, we invite you to volunteer in one of our other areas.
High School Volunteers
The AGH runs fun and dynamic March Break and Summer Camp programs each year. Volunteers support the activities led by Artist-Instructors and Counselors; they assist in set-up and clean-up, support art activities, run games, and support campers during break times. Volunteers help with the supervision of students to ensure their safety, and help oversee drop-off and pick-up periods.
Hours spent at the AGH will qualify for OSSD Volunteer Hour requirements, and a letter of completion will be provided at the end of the Camp program. Volunteers must be a minimum of 14 years of age.
High School Volunteers should apply directly to the Education Department: education@artgalleryofhamilton.com
Education: Studio Assistant
The AGH welcomes Volunteers to assist Artist-Instructors for weekend art classes and camp programs. Art-making experience is an asset, priority will be given to Volunteers with prior experience working with children. . All volunteers are required to undergo Vulnerable Sector Screening before commencing.
Most programs take place on Saturdays or Sundays throughout the year. However, weekday assistance is required for camp programs run on PD days and during December Holiday Break, March Break, and July and August.
Retail / Art Rental & Sales
The Art Gallery of Hamilton operates the Shop at AGH, where we showcase art and design related merchandise and support local and regional artists as part of our Art Rental + Sales program. Volunteers are responsible for carrying out a variety of functions within retail operations, including stocking, merchandising display, and customer service. The Shop at AGH is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Film and Performance
The AGH i♥filmseries screenings take place throughout the year at the Gallery, and other locations around the city. Screenings typically occur once a month on Wednesday, Friday and occasional Saturday evenings. The BMO World Film Festival is an annual week-long event in October, with several lead-up events. As a volunteer, you will assist with program awareness, event set-up and tear-down, ticketing, technical support or customer assistance for various events.
Special Events
The AGH hosts a variety of community-based events ranging from our annual Family picnic, to seasonal exhibition openings and special education programming for local students. In addition, the AGH hosts private functions including weddings, showers and private parties. Enthusiastic front-line Volunteers help ensure the smooth execution and facilitation of these events during evening, weekend, and daytime shifts. Roles are typically customer facing and include, greeting & directing, coat check and event assistance.
Visitor & Member Services
The AGH welcomes over 250,000 visitors annually from Hamilton, and beyond. As a Volunteer, you will run the Visitor Services desk where you will be the first point of contact and instill a positive impression of the Gallery. You will provide information on Gallery exhibitions, programs and events, as well as process admission, Membership sales and ticket sales.
Our Volunteers also show their commitment to the Gallery by becoming AGH Members.
The AGH Volunteer Committee Manual contains important and useful information on the AGH Volunteer program – including job descriptions, policies, and an overview of the Volunteer Committee’s governance structure.
If you have any questions please contact us at volunteering@artgalleryofhamilton.com.
From the Contemporary Art Collection
Roulette 1993-2005
Barbara Steinman (Canadian b. 1950)
sound sculpture; brass, etched glass, audio, Gift of the artist, 2010
© Courtesy Barbara Steinman