Museum Studies Blog at Tufts University

Description:
Peabody Essex Museum Guides for Tour Experiences are volunteer docents who support the Museum’s mission by leading groups of participants in conversational, interactive explorations of PEM’s exhibitions, collection, and creative spaces. Guides host innovative museum experiences, helping audiences delve deeper into special exhibitions, historic houses and gardens, collection highlights, and special topics. Tour experiences may last from 10 minutes to an hour or more, and include gallery games, art-making, and other special techniques that support interpretive goals and promote curiosity, surprise and delight, new insights, broader perspectives on creativity, and enhanced understanding of global culture and creative expression. PEM Guides for Tour Experiences work with a range of audiences, including walk-in museum visitors, pre-booked group tours, special needs audiences, and VIPs. Responsibilities include: · Complete an Initial Training program, concluding with a qualification process certifying the Guide to lead programs with the public · Learn, practice, and deliver a variety of guided experiences developed by PEM’s Education Department, including walking tours, art-making, close looking, gallery games, and other techniques · Attend monthly Team Meetings, participating in sharing, peer support and conversation about effective practice and contributing creative ideas to the ongoing development of Tour Experiences · Participate in continuous improvement, self-assessment, and program evaluation processes led by PEM staff · Use recordkeeping systems to track audience participation numbers · Conduct preparatory research outside training hours to develop knowledge and keep up to date on new content · Support PEM’s educational and interpretive goals and values, using interpretation and interpersonal communication approaches established by Education staff

Qualifications:
PEM Guides for Tour Experiences; sincerely enjoy meeting and talking with people of all ages and backgrounds; know how to get people involved in talking and sharing, and have a knack for storytelling; show enthusiasm for sharing art, culture, and ideas with people of all ages and backgrounds, and a desire to help them explore the world of creative expression; show respect for all individuals; use creative approaches, drawing ideas and information from many disciplines, cultures, periods, and sources; take an active approach, moving through widely-dispersed museum spaces using stairs, elevators, outdoor and historic house spaces, and offering a variety of techniques from sketching to gallery games to writing activities; are curious and enjoy continuous learning; enjoy trying new things; are interested in art, creative expression, performance, culture, and/or related topics; are able to improve constantly, respond to coaching and critique from peer guides and museum staff; are reliable in fulfilling their commitment to the museum Commitment · Complete a one-time, intensive program of 10 (+/-) weekly 3-hour sessions, sessions covering basic program skills and content, leading toward qualification. Initial training is offered on both a weekday and a weekend day. · Attend 2-hour monthly Team Meetings to learn new programs, explore content, practice activities and share ideas. Team Meetings are offered on both a weekday and a weekend day. Optional but recommended Enrichment sessions will also be offered throughout the year. · Attend quarterly 3-hour meetings with PEM Guides from all four teams. Receive updates on museum activities, hear new exhibition introductions, and access other useful information. These informational gatherings are offered in both weekday and weekend sessions. · PEM Guides for Tour Experiences deliver experiences daily from 10 AM to 5 PM and during evening hours when the museum is open. Tour Experiences are offered six days a week (PEM is closed Mondays). Active PEM Guides for Tour Experiences are expected to contribute 6-10 hours per month (including Team Meetings), according to the following schedule. Weekday Guides contribute at least one 2-hour shift per week. Weekend Guides contribute at least two 2-hour shifts per month, typically on the 1^st and 3^rd weekends or the 2^nd and 4^th weekends.

How To Apply:
To apply, go to http://www.pem.org/about/_employment/volunteer/ and complete the on-line application.

Apply by:
November 15, 2015

Description:
The “Castle of Nightmares”, a unique haunted tours event at Hammond Castle Museum, is looking for volunteers! Have you always wanted to haunt a real castle? We’ll be happy to help you obtain community service credit for your participation, which supports the historic, nonprofit Hammond Castle Museum. Looks great on resumes and applications! Meet new people, and scare them.Two volunteer meetings are scheduled so far, on Sept 23 and Oct 6, each at 6pm. The show is on Fridays and Saturdays, October 16-17, 23-24, and 30. We start preparing by 6pm and run until at least 11pm. Hammond Castle Museum is at 80 Hesperus Ave in Gloucester.

Qualifications:
No experience is necessary, everyone is welcome!

How To Apply:
Join us at one of our orientation meetings to learn more, and experience the Castle after dark. Contact info@hauntcastle.com with questions or for updates. Check out our Facebook page.

Apply by:
October 25, 2015