Support > Volunteer
How to Volunteer
There are multiple volunteer opportunities for museum patrons, primarily for age 18 and up.
Volunteering
Volunteers give their time and talents to help sustain our mission. The opportunities are numerous at the University of West Florida Historic Trust—from education, to living history, to archival collections. At the Pensacola Museum of Art, we cater to individuals interested in fine art, museum education, curatorial practices, and art history. We may not always have all of these opportunities available at all times, but we still appreciate you reaching out with your interests and availability.
Are you interested in museum education, visual art, and/or exhibition installation? Do you love talking with people? Do you enjoy researching art movements and artists? How about helping out with events? Or, is cataloging collections more your desire? We often have numerous volunteer opportunities within different departments at the PMA to suit your interests. Please contact Caitlin Rhea outlining your interests and availability. crhea@uwf.edu
Volunteer Opportunities at the PMA
Front Desk Volunteers | ages 18+
Volunteers answer visitor questions; answers and directs incoming calls; stocks and organizes brochures and materials at information desk. Volunteers also track visitor requests, questions, and comments to aid Museum staff. Volunteers maintain and communicate knowledge of current and upcoming exhibitions, education programs, and other public offerings available at PMA.
Front desk volunteers must be friendly, welcoming, posses excellent communication skills; problem-solving skills; ability to use variety of information resources provided, comfortable interacting with visitors of all ages; and comfortable, once trained, ringing up sales (admission and museum store) on a Point Of Sales system.
Education & Outreach Volunteers | ages 16+
Volunteers in the education program are trained to work with students of various age groups, typically ages 4-6, 7-9, 10-15, and 16+ years old. Volunteers assist educators in the classroom or may be working onsite during special events helping with a range of tasks; these tasks may include project preparation, classroom tidiness, individual attention to students, and ensuring the safety of students in the classroom. Education volunteers must be able to pass a background check and must truly enjoy working with children.
Docents | ages 18+
PMA docents are trained volunteers interested in leading student and adult tour groups through featured exhibitions. No prior education or training within the arts is necessary to become a docent. Training is provided by PMA staff and seasoned docents.
In return for a docent’s time and talents, they will receive behind-the-scenes museum experiences.
For more information about volunteering for the UWF Historic Trust, please contact Wendi Davis at 850-595-5985 ext. 111 or wdavis4@uwf.edu.
Become a PMA Docent
PMA docents are trained volunteer educators interested in leading student and adult tour groups through featured exhibitions. They are a critical component of the Museum workforce, and provide an important service for our community and students.
We are always looking to grow our Docent program with individuals who are passionate about the arts, critical thinking, adult and youth education, and museum visitor experience.
In return for a docent’s time and talents, they will receive educational opportunities and behind-the-scenes museum experiences such as:
- —Private exhibition walkthroughs with the Chief Curator and/or the Curator of Education
- —Use of the PMA private library
- —In-depth docent tour packets (both in print and electronic format) prepared for each exhibition
- —Free exhibition catalogs and postcards
- —Providing a valuable service to their community and the arts
- —Continuing education and development of public speaking, reading, research, and analytical skills
- —Additional outreach educational opportunities with the museum’s education department
Interested in becoming a part of our Docent team? Please contact Caitlin Rhea: crhea@uwf.edu
