Best Volunteer Opportunities For Art Lovers In Minnesota
Minnesotans are known for their voluntary spirit and Minnesota nonprofits benefit greatly from the voluntary bonhomie of its citizenry. But the relationship is symbiotic; not only have many great social and cultural organizations flourished in this great state, but so have volunteers developed and grown, reaping countless personal rewards from their experiences.
Credit: CBS
Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 375-7600
www.walkerart.org
Walker Art Center provides rewarding event-based service opportunities for volunteers interested in engaging with a vibrant arts community. Learn more about marketing during its summer festival season, assist Walker members attending Rock the Garden and After Hours exhibition preview parties or provide service throughout the year for patrons attending performing arts, education and film programming. Volunteering at the Walker has benefits. Register as a Walker volunteer and earn added incentives for free tickets to your favorite Walker events. Become a volunteer today by registering at the link listed above or by checking out this site.
Northrop
84 Church St. S.E., Suite 90
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 625-6600
www.northrop.umn.edu
Volunteers at Northrop, on the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities East Bank campus, greet patrons, scan tickets and usher guests to their seats in the Carlson Family Stage & the Best Buy Theater. Volunteers are invited to stay and attend the performance. From time to time, the organization seeks participants for special projects. Those interested in becoming a part of this special performing arts venue should email ushernwa@umn.edu.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 3rd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-3045
www.new.artsmia.org/volunteer-opportunities
"Aside from the benefits our volunteers receive including special discounts in the museum store and complimentary access to special exhibitions," says Emmalynn Bauer of MIA's Audience Engagement, "Volunteers receive insider access to MIA staff and curators, a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a premier art museum and insider information on the works of art in the collection." A good way to start volunteering is through Friends of the Institute, "one of the nation's largest and most active art museum volunteer organizations." It provides an avenue for volunteers to do such things as give free public lectures, drive schoolchildren by bus to the museum for docent tours, donate permanent collection artwork and endow ground-breaking art education programs for children. Another voluntary opportunity is through unpaid internships, available to those with a two-year post secondary education, especially including art history classes. Also, Art Adventure Guides are needed to lead Art Adventure thematic tours designed for children in grades K–6 after a six-month training course. Other roles that volunteers may wish to fulfill are providing hospitality for special events, assisting library patrons or taking on special projects in Art in Bloom and Art Perchance.
Minnetonka Center for the Arts
2240 North Shore Drive
Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 473-7361
www.minnetonkaarts.org
"There's always room for art lovers at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts," says communications director Sara Skalle as she cites the many ways people can volunteer. "We have a large library of art books, reference materials and periodicals. We need a librarian to volunteer once or twice a month to keep things in order."
Another volunteer opportunity comes up during "maintenance week" at the end of August. Volunteers pitch in with staff members moving equipment and furniture out of studio classrooms for cleaning. Sara says, "This one isn't as romantic, but it might be a great way for fraternal organizations or school groups to log community service time. It usually includes pizza." Then during the school year, the Ceramics and Sculpture Studios need class assistants and studio assistants.
The easiest and most attractive opportunity for dozens of volunteers during November and December is to staff the gallery in two-hour shifts during the Arts of the Holidays Show & Sale. Sara says, "Volunteering at the Arts of the Holidays is a great 'entry' volunteer opportunity because it's not very difficult, it's only two hours and all of the merchandise is irresistible. Also, Arts of the Holidays volunteers celebrate with a special ice cream sundae bar at a reception in January."
To volunteer, call (952) 473-7361, x. 16 or email information@minnetonkaarts.org
Related: Best Pottery Painting Classes For Kids In Minnesota
Minnesota State Arts Board
Park Square Court
400 Sibley St., Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 215-1600
www.arts.state.mn.us/volunteer
The Minnesota Arts Board seeks persons with expertise in art to serve on panels and committees that recommend program initiatives. More than 300 Minnesotans contribute every year to our robust arts environment by evaluating programs, guiding the Arts Board agenda while building personal knowledge, skills and abilities related to the grant-making process.
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn., and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
