MAKE OUR MISSION, YOUR MISSION
Volunteer With Us
NAAM is always seeking dedicated volunteers to help us power our dynamic programs, exhibitions, and operations. When you join our volunteer family, you receive member-exclusive benefits and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the arts, history, and culture of the African Diaspora in the Pacific Northwest, all while supporting our community.
Take a look at our volunteer roles and please submit an application to get involved.
For questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Mia Taylor (mtaylor@naamnw.org)
Volunteer Benefits
All NAAM volunteers receive the following benefits as a “thank you” for volunteering:
Unlimited, free admission to the Museum
Reciprocal admission to partner museums during Volunteer Appreciation Week
Opportunities throughout year to attend partner museums’ exhibitions and programs
Discounts and complementary tickets to select Museum programs
Recognition at Annual Volunteer Appreciation event
A chance to meet and connect with a community of Black arts and culture enthusiasts
Be sure to review the volunteer roles and qualifications below.
Volunteer Guidelines
Abide by the policies and procedures of the Museum.
Abide by the Standards for Museum Volunteers.
Attend a general Museum Volunteer Orientation and any training sessions required for your volunteer position.
Collaborate with staff and other volunteers, accepting supervision and evaluation of your volunteer work.
Communicate with staff and volunteer leadership. Your ideas, comments, and feedback are welcome.
Successfully pass a criminal history background check.
Volunteer Positions
Guest Services Volunteers
Be the Face of the Northwest African American Museum!
Do you want to be a part of the effort to share the story of the African American experience in the Pacific Northwest? Are you passionate about highlighting Black voices in our community? Do you love meeting and interacting with people from all over the country?
If you answered “yes” to those three questions, consider volunteering as a Guest Services Volunteer! We need volunteers to be the “face of the Museum” and help create a welcoming and accessible environment for visitors.
Guest Services Volunteers have a range of responsibilities, such as greeting visitors, answering questions, collecting admission fees, and selling memberships.
Read more about the Guest Services Volunteer position here.
Digital Archive & Inventory Volunteers
Create digital archives at the Northwest African American Museum!
Do you love creating more effective, streamlined systems? Do you enjoy helping friends and family enter the “digital age”? Are you looking for a way to give back to your community that also feeds the soul of your inner introvert? Consider applying to the Digital Archive and Inventory Volunteer position!
This volunteer will assist in digitizing Museum documents and archival information while providing general office support during shifts.
Volunteers in this position should have excellent attention-to-detail and demonstrated “tech-savvy” skills in order to be successful.
Read more about the Digital Archive & Inventory Volunteer position here.
Special Event Volunteers
Our Special Events Volunteers serve as ambassadors of the Museum during our public and private events. They greet and welcome guests and orient them to the Museum’s amenities and layout. They maintain confidential information, conduct themselves professionally at all times, wear business casual attire, work with and assist staff, conduct coat check duties, and of course, have fun.
Required Skills: Communicate well with the public, complete an orientation and training session which includes light readings, warm friendly attitude, and a passion for and understanding of the Museum’s mission, vision, and values.
Read more about the Special Event Volunteer position here.
Docent Volunteers
Share your love of Black history as a Docent at the Northwest African American Museum!
Storytellers unite! Help us amplify Black voices by volunteering as a Docent. Docents guide Museum visitors, particularly student groups, through exhibits while sharing the story of African American history and important events that are relevant to each section. We need outgoing and warm individuals to excite students and share poignant stories of the Black experience in the Pacific Northwest through a variety of exhibits and art. Do you love public speaking? This might be a great fit for you!
Read more about the Docent Volunteer position here.