SAM is dedicated to racial equity and strives to recruit employees, volunteers, and interns alike, who are passionate, qualified, and cognizant of their unique perspectives. SAM’s strategic plan goals address the role art plays in empowering social justice and structural change to promote equity in our communities. We involve hundreds of volunteers who support these efforts through dynamic and engaging roles at all three museum sites.

From advising to visitor engagement, our volunteer roles are designed and continue to evolve to support the museum’s mission to connect art to life. Volunteers provide excellent customer service, support administrative tasks, facilitate art experiences for a wide range of museum visitors, and more, all in accordance with our Core Values. Volunteer programs have an impact in all that we do.

We use several web-based tools to communicate with our volunteers. Please use the links to the right to access information for your volunteer assignment.

VOLGISTICS

Volgistics is our volunteer management system. It has two interfaces utilized by volunteers: VicTouch and VicNet. VicTouch is the on-site component where your sign-in and out for your shift. VicNet is the web-based module where you can:​

• Update your contact information

• Check your schedule

• Sign up for shifts

• View your service record

Please contact the Volunteer Department with any questions about Volgistics.

WIKI SITES

We utilize wiki sites for select programs. These bulletin-board type sites are accessed by volunteers for research and training materials and recruit substitutes for shift coverage.

ACCESS FOR CURRENT VOLUNTEERS ONLY

• DT Info Desk Greeters
  

Volunteer Links

VicNet

Ambassador

Olympic Sculpture Park
Greet and welcome visitors; answer questions and provide accurate information about the Olympic Sculpture Park facilities, artwork, and exhibitions, with a special focus on the Neukom Vivarium. Prospective volunteers should enjoy interacting with the public. Training required, provided by SAM. Weekly or twice-per-month shifts, weekends, 2–3 hours. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is six months.

COAT CHECK

Seattle Art Museum
Ensure that all visitors have a positive and enjoyable experience. Greet and welcome guests, check coats and parcels, and assist museum visitors. Requires a warm, professional public presence and customer service orientation; ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors; ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 20 pounds. Training provided. Minimum two shifts per month: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–1:30 pm or 1:30–5 pm. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is six months.

EVENTS

All three museum locations
Support family programs, after-hours programs, members' previews, and other special events. Greet guests, usher, attend Coat Check, and assist with art-making activities. Requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors. Physical requirements may include standing for extended periods, and lifting up to 20 pounds. Requires six shifts per year; evenings and weekends. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is six months.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

All three museum locations
Family Programs volunteers serve to support visiting families/groups with children 2-12 years at drop-in art-making workshops. Supporting teaching artists and Museum Educators, Family Programs volunteers assist with facilitating meaningful, hands-on art lessons for our youngest visitors in support of SAM’s mission. Physical requirements may include kneeling, stooping, and standing for extended periods. Minimum time commitment includes two 2.5 to 3.5 hours-long shifts per month for one year, along with three SAMVA SpcExh training sessions per year. Shifts are limited to 9:30 am – 12:30 pm or 12:30 – 3 pm on assigned days.

INFORMATION DESK

Seattle Art Museum | Olympic Sculpture Park
Welcome visitors at the Information Desk during selected hours. Learn to access information desk materials and give accurate information about all aspects of the museum to visitors. Requires excellent communication skills, a sincere enjoyment of people, and the ability to deal positively with all visitors. Knowledge of Seattle and tourist attractions is helpful. Requires two three-and-a-half-hour shifts per month on a regular schedule. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is one year.

LIBRARIES

Seattle Art Museum | Seattle Asian Art Museum
Assist library staff with a variety of projects including preparing catalogued materials, re-shelving, assisting patrons, and working on research or filing projects. Applicants must have superb computer skills, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work with others in a professional manner. Most library volunteer positions require previous experience working in libraries or educational equivalent. Requires two shifts per month. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is one year.

PARK STEWARD

Olympic Sculpture Park
Volunteer outdoors assisting Olympic Sculpture Park staff with landscape maintenance projects, weeding, invasive plant removal, etc. Prospective volunteers should enjoy being outside and interacting with the public. Training required, provided by SAM. Requires two three-hour shifts per month, March-October. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is six months.

SAMBASSADOR

Seattle Art Museum
Greet and welcome visitors in the museum galleries, answer questions, provide directions, engage in conversations about art and exhibitions, all while in the SAM Collections & Installations Galleries. Requires a warm, professional public presence and customer service orientation, ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors, and the ability to stand/walk for three hours. Required training provided by SAM. Requires two three-and-a-half hour shifts per month on regular schedule. Minimum commitment for on-boarding is one year.

STAFF ASSISTANT

Seattle Art Museum | Seattle Asian Art Museum | Virtual
Assist museum staff with a wide range of administrative tasks. Volunteer staff assistant roles are designed to support a project-based assignments, behind-the-scenes. Shift requirements vary by assignment and are arranged with the host department. Minimum commitment for on-boarding varies by assignment.

The Seattle Art Museum is currently recruiting for the following volunteer roles:

• Coat Check
• Park Steward
• OSP Ambassador
  
• Family Programs
• Events
  

Please note that we are, unfortunately, unable to place all applicants.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

We thank you for your interest in donating service to the Seattle Art Museum. For brief descriptions of our volunteer roles, see Volunteer Roles. To apply for one of our open roles, complete this form.

Please note the following requisites:

• Applications must reference one or more roles listed under Recruitment for consideration

• Applicants must be 16 years of age or older
  

• Volunteer role placement is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and proof that the applicant is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or qualifies for a testing exemption or accommodation.

• SAM does not accept court ordered volunteer appointments
  

Intern Intake Form

Selected interns are to complete the following intake form following instruction from SAM’s HR/Intern Coordinator.