Volunteers are an essential and valued part of our operations by providing support to our educational programs and the Visitor Services team.
Why Volunteer?
Please contact volunteering@oakvillegalleries.com if you have any questions.
The kinds of volunteers we recruit:
Oakville Galleries runs several art education programs year round such as children’s camps and workshops. Volunteers play an important role in our art programming and help them to run smoothly. Ideal candidates have an interest in the arts, enjoy working with children, and are responsible, hard workers.
This role includes:
- Engaging with participants of our programs (mainly children ages 6-12, ocassionally teens and adults)
- Assisting art instructors with classroom and material set up & clean up
- Assisting and encouraging attendants to participate in games and art activities
- Maintaining a positive, healthy, and fun environment
Event Volunteers engage and connect with visitors throughout the gallery spaces both on and off site and at events hosted by the gallery such as fairs, festivals, film screenings, artist talks, and exhibition openings. The Event Volunteers act as ambassadors to the gallery in public events by interacting with visitors. They also assist behind the scenes by working with gallery staff on tasks to ensure the event runs smoothly.
This role includes:
- Event set up, clean-up, preparation assistance, and other hands-on activities.
- Greeting and directing guests
- Assisting guests with questions
- Safekeeping of coats and bags at events
- Monitoring the event space for any safety concerns
- Distributing flyers and promotional materials to visitors
We are currently seeking individuals 21 years of age or older in the Oakville community interested in a new challenge and professional opportunity to volunteer in Visitor Services at our Centennial Square (120 Navy Street, Oakville). Visitor Services Volunteers are key members of the front-of-house team and serve as ambassadors of Oakville Galleries through their regular contact with members of the public. They are trained volunteers interested in leading groups of visitors of all ages through the current exhibitions, opening conversations, and expanding the visitors' experience with an art appreciation.
This role includes:
- Greet visitors and introduce them to Oakville Galleries’ exhibitions and programs
- Initiate discussions about and lead tours of the exhibitions on view
- Provide information for Oakville Galleries' educational and public programs
- Promote Oakville Galleries membership programs - Maintain attendance records and complete daily task checklists
- Open and close the gallery spaces on time
- Provide assistance to internal departments as needed
- Attend necessary training and planning meetings
- Ensure all works on view are safe and secure
- Monitor visitors to the gallery and advise visitors of gallery policies when necessary
- Maintain the cleanliness of the gallery space and report any issues to the Exhibition & Collection Manager
- Track the condition of works on view and report any damages or conservation issues immediately to the Exhibition & Collection Manager.
- Prepare incident reports for and communicate security issues to the Deputy Director
As a part of the Education Department, Oakville Galleries hosts many job shadowing, co-op, internship, and teacher candidates throughout the year.
If you are interested in the arts or pursuing a job in education, consider Oakville Galleries as your host institution! Students will develop leadership, communication, organization, and teamwork skills and will work towards achieving goals co-created with the candidate and Oakville Galleries.
We are not currently recruiting co-op students. Please check back in Spring 2025 for updates.
