Education Volunteers assist at workshops for adults, families, and children by helping the instructor with the distribution of supplies, providing activity support and clean-up assistance.

Performing Arts Volunteers help with event ticket collection, provide seating assistance, and may assist with the artist’s merchandise table. These volunteers also assist Grounds For Sculpture staff with all-day events in the park.  Volunteer opportunities may include greeting guests, giving directions, or helping with a planned activity.

Guest Services Volunteers assist at the INFO Desk in the Welcome Center. Guest Services Volunteers are specially trained to answer guests’ questions about GFS, give directions, and assist with tour registration.

Gallery Guides assist staff in the indoor galleries in the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts, Museum Building and Domestic Arts Building. They have attended seasonal exhibition trainings and enjoy sharing that information with guests while looking out for the welfare of the artwork.

Park Guides are very knowledgeable about the forty-two acres making up the outdoor space at GFS. They provide a valuable presence in the park by answering guests’ questions, giving directions, and providing guidance with our EXPLORE map while assuring the safety of our guests and the outdoor sculpture.

SmArt Cart Volunteers engage GFS guests in simple “Science meets ART” activities using a mobile cart at various locations throughout the grounds.

Garden Volunteers assist the Horticulture staff with basic upkeep of the gardens that make GFS so special. These daytime opportunities are available year round, Monday through Friday. You can read more about our Garden Volunteers here.

Volunteer Community Marketers identify locations in their community that wish to display GFS brochures. They monitor these locations and maintain the displays monthly.

Members Lounge Volunteers are a welcoming presence for GFS Members to the Members Lounge. They scan membership cards and assist with simple tidiness of the space.

Special Projects are opportunities that arise in a busy, thriving, growing museum. Volunteers interested in helping with these short term projects may have the opportunity to assist with mailings, administrative tasks, occasional special events, or representing GFS at a community event. The variety is endless!

Our Docent Program allows GFS to provide guided Group Tours to visiting schools and organizations as well as Walk-In Tours for the public. Docent training is available only to experienced GFS Volunteers. It is vital that new volunteers first establish themselves as committed GFS volunteers. By gaining experience volunteering in a variety of service positions, they will be better prepared to fully communicate about GFS to our guests when they become Docents.

Docent training is generally offered once a year and is led by talented instructors, staff, and professional artists. These energetic and engaging sessions prepare new Docents for creating their unique tours as well as establishing strong foundations in art and communication. On completion of the docent training classes, Docents are expected to give at least 20 tours, provide 10 service hours in other areas and attend at least (2) GFS-sponsored trainings each calendar year.

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) is excited to offer short term volunteer opportunities for their Business Members. We believe volunteering together in an inspirational, healthy environment strengthens teamwork skills and creates lasting memories for coworkers, while supporting the non-profit sector.

By choosing to become a Business Member of GFS, your company has already made a commitment to support our organization. Volunteering with us will only strengthen that relationship.

GFS is pleased to offer volunteer opportunities for groups of 6-20 people.

Here’s an overview of available opportunities. Note that some opportunities are only available seasonally:

Horticulture
Volunteers work under the direction of the GFS Horticulturist. Tasks vary by season and weather may include:

• Deadheading roses or annuals
• Assist in greenhouse or chef’s garden
• Removing young saplings from The Meadow
• Planting annuals & bulbs
• Light pruning & watering container gardens

Maintenance
Volunteers work under the direction of the GFS Facilities Director, and tasks will vary by season, but could include:

• Sorting and organizing storage areas
• Power washing chairs used for events
• Assist with organizing and hanging holiday lights

Education & Engagement Department
Volunteers work with staff from the Education and Engagement Department and Manager of Volunteer Services to help with a variety of programs for GFS visitors.  Specific positions vary by season and the needs of individual events. Details on programs will be provided to the group’s coordinator in advance, and a briefing on specific tasks will be provided at the start of the volunteer shift.  When scheduled, volunteers may be asked to assist with any of the following:

• Materials Prep for Special Projects
  Volunteers will help organize, sort, and prepare materials for upcoming workshops and events. Examples include assembling art kits or organizing workshop materials.
• GFS Event Volunteers
  Volunteers may help provide directions, greeting visitors, and other tasks as requested. Occasionally, these events may take place at an offsite location in the community such as a library or mall.

Gallery and Park Guides
Volunteers with a basic knowledge of Grounds For Sculpture and its indoor galleries are able to assist with the following:

• Monitoring the outdoor areas of GFS, assisting guests, giving directions, answering questions
• Providing a friendly presence in designated indoor galleries to monitor exhibitions and assist guests as needed
• Assuring guests are enjoying the grounds safely and following Park Etiquette guidelines
• Conducting marketing surveys

SmART Cart: Where Science Meets ART
Volunteers use a mobile cart to engage guests in conversation on simple topics such as Peacocks, Stone Carving, and Lotus. All information and hands-on objects available to enhance interaction.