Volunteering at the Met
About the Volunteer Organization
The Volunteer Organization of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1967 by a small group of dedicated Members of the Museum. Today the organization—which is still run entirely by volunteers—oversees more than 1,100 men and women who serve the Museum in a variety of ways and provide vital support to the Museum's mission. There are four categories of volunteer opportunities: Education, Membership, Information Desk, and Individual Volunteers. The descriptions included here provide a broad overview of each of these different opportunities, including the time commitment required by each. If you have any questions about these positions, or would like more information about a specific volunteer opportunity, please feel free to contact us.
Education
The Museum currently offers 11 different types of Education Volunteer positions, which are described in more detail below. These positions follow the academic calendar. New volunteers for weekday education programs are required to attend a yearlong training course that is held on Mondays. This rigorous course covers the history of art as it applies to the Museum's collections, as well as presentation skills and research techniques. (See also Weekend Guided Tours. Please note that candidates for the International Guided Tour Program must be proficient in English in addition to the language in which they will be conducting tours.
Prospective candidates may apply for more than one volunteer position, but will be accepted in only one. Download the application.
The Cloisters
Education Volunteers at The Cloisters conduct tours for students—such as "Medieval Stories and Legends" and "Medieval Journey"—that emphasize the art and culture of the medieval period. These tours are given at The Cloisters, which is the branch of the Museum located in Fort Tryon Park, from October through mid-June. Volunteers are trained in educational techniques and have the opportunity to expand their own knowledge of medieval art. A background in medieval studies, history, art history, or teaching is desirable. Volunteers work in the galleries one day a week, attend meetings and trainings on Mondays, and do independent research.
Community Programs
Community Programs provide a variety of on-site and off-site services to adults of all ages. These services include presenting slide-illustrated talks at community centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City; offering follow-up guided tours in the Museum; and leading art-related discussions via telephone for those who are homebound. Community Program Volunteers are trained by staff educators and must perform a substantial amount of individual preparation. They are often accompanied by artists who conduct hands-on workshops.
Costume Institute
Costume Institute Volunteers conduct costume-related tours for the general public and for professional schools and organizations. Volunteer tour guides receive training from the curators and study the history of costume as it relates to the history of art. Volunteers are required to lead a tour each week and to attend monthly meetings and several specialized training sessions.
Special Education Services
Volunteers for Special Education Services are devoted to meeting the needs of all students, including those with sensory, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Four tours are currently offered: "Exploring Art: A Variety of Art from the World's Cultures;" "Ancient Egypt;" "American Art;" and "Greek Mythology: Gods, Heroes, and Monsters." The ratio of students to volunteers is usually 9 to 1. Volunteers are required to attend general training sessions as well as additional training in the art of helping students with learning differences. Volunteers are required to research and prepare their own weekly tours.
Elementary and Junior High School Program
Elementary and Junior High School Program Volunteers lead a variety of tours for students in grades 4 through 8. Current tours include: "American Art;" "Ancient Egypt;" "Ancient Worlds;" and "Exploring Art." Certain special exhibitions may also be included. Volunteers attend general and specialized training sessions and are responsible for the research and preparation of their own weekly tours. A teaching background is desirable and a strong interest in young people is essential.
First Views
Students in grades 1 through 3 are introduced to the Museum through thematic tours that develop observational and descriptive skills and enable them to discover connections between art from different cultures. These tours also include sketching in the galleries. Each First Views Volunteer attends general and specialized training sessions and is responsible for the research, preparation, and presentation of one tour a week during the school year.
High School Program
High School Program Volunteers offer tours to students in grades 9 through 12: "Ancient Greece;" "Medieval Art;" "American Art;" "European Art;" "Introduction to the Met's Collection;" and "Modern Art." Certain special exhibitions may also be included. These tours are limited to 18 students in order to foster a lively exchange and discussion. Volunteers are required to attend general training sessions as well as additional program-specific sessions. Please note that extensive reading and research is required.
A select group of High School Program Volunteers offer thematic tours, which span 4,000 years of history—from ancient Egypt to 20th-century America. For these tours, every effort is made to divide the students into smaller groups.
Musical Views
This crosscultural program, available to students grade 5 and older, introduces the theme of music in art. Tours examine the Museum's extensive collection of musical instruments as well as depictions of music and music-making in other areas of the Museum's collection. In addition to general training, volunteers are required to attend specialized training sessions in the Musical Instruments galleries.
International Guided Tours
International Guided Tours are designed to introduce international visitors to the Museum's Collection through 60-minute tours in their own language. These tours are offered Tuesday through Friday and on weekends (see Weekend Guided Tours). Volunteers are required to lead a minimum of two tours per month and to conduct independent study and research. Please note that candidates for this program must be proficient in English in addition to the language in which they will be conducting tours. (Training is conducted in English.)
Guided Tours
Volunteers in this program lead tours Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Topics include a Museum Highlights tour as well as 18 other collection-specific themes. Volunteers—who receive training from members of the curatorial and education staff—are required to lead a minimum of two tours per month and to conduct independent study and research.
Weekend Guided Tours (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday)
The Museum offers guided tours of the galleries every weekend in a variety of subjects, including international tours. Weekend volunteers are required to lead a minimum of two tours a month and to conduct independent study and research. New Weekend Volunteers receive intensive training every Saturday morning for the first year of service. All Weekend Volunteers meet six Friday evenings during the year for ongoing training sessions and are expected to stay informed on the Museum's permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Membership Volunteers
Membership Volunteers sell memberships, assist Members with information regarding programs and events, serve as hosts at special exhibition previews, and perform clerical tasks. They may be asked to work in the Great Hall or in the Membership office. These positions require one 5-hour shift per week, year-round. An additional 5 to 7 hours per week are required during Membership previews.
Information Services Volunteers
Information Services Volunteers play an integral role at the information desks in the Great Hall and in the Uris Center for Education. In many cases, they are the visitor's first point of contact with the Museum, and they must therefore be knowledgeable about the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and the building's facilities and amenities. These positions require one half-day shift a week, year-round.
Individual Volunteers
Individual Volunteers may assist in the Museum's curatorial, library, or administrative departments by performing clerical work, answering telephones, running errands, escorting visitors, conducting Museum surveys, or doing research. Prospective volunteers are interviewed by staff members of the department for which they are applying. Time commitments for these positions vary according to the needs of the department.
Volunteer Application
A PDF of the volunteer application is available. Please follow these three steps to submit your application:
- Download the application (PDF)
- Print it out
- Mail the completed application to: Volunteer Office, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10028
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the information provided here, please feel free to contact us:
Volunteer Office
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10028
212-570-3954
volunteers@metmuseum.org