Museum Volunteers
The Institute of Texan Cultures is supported by a tremendous team of volunteers. These talented individuals range in age from 12 to 90! Volunteers support a variety of programs, including tours, special events, exhibit floor operations, and administrative services. We are currently recruiting for four volunteer teams: Docents, Junior Docents, Ambassadors, and Event Volunteers.
Qualities of a great volunteer include friendliness, patience, good humor, and the ability to work with guests of all ages. No previous educational or practical experience is required. All volunteer candidates must submit to a criminal background check. Volunteers enjoy making new friends and sharing their stories with guests from around the world. They also receive invitations to regular education programs, historic Texas tours, and exhibit openings. Still interested? Then read on!
Docents
The word "docent" is from the Latin word "docens," meaning teacher or lecturer. Today the word has come to mean a person who lectures or teaches in a museum or gallery as a volunteer. Docents fill a variety of roles at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures. These roles include, but are not limited to:
- Exhibit Floor greeter
- Library assistant
- Museum store assistant
- Tour guide
- Guest Services assistant
- Character performer
- Tex-Kit facilitator
Docents are asked to volunteer at least three hours each week. Training classes are offered twice a year, but applications are accepted year-round. To discuss joining the docent team, please call (210) 458-2279.
Junior Docents
A junior docent is a student age 12–17 who volunteers his or her time to make Texas history come alive at our museum! Volunteering as a junior docent is an outstanding way to earn community service hours or demonstrate civic pride on college applications. It's also a great way to make friends from other schools! Junior docents fill these important roles:
- Puppet Theater performers
- Character performers during the Texas Trails and Tales summer program
- Activity coordinators at museum family events
- Off-site promotions at community events and festivals
To discuss joining the junior docent team, please call (210) 458-2283.
Ambassadors
This is a great opportunity for volunteers from all parts of Texas! Ambassadors are a statewide network of volunteers who help the Institute and their own communities by extending the educational outreach capabilities of the Institute by facilitating hands-on learning presentations to schools, nursing homes, or civic organizations. Others may help by presenting programs, distributing Institute and Texas Folklife Festival promotional materials, or clipping news articles of historical significance for the research files. Whatever they choose, Ambassadors tailor the program to the needs of their individual communities and the level of participation to their available time, talent, and interests.
To discuss serving as a museum ambassador, please call (210) 458-2283.
Event Volunteers
The Institute of Texan Cultures hosts many events each year. To learn how you can volunteer at an event, please visit the Event Volunteer page.
The Institute of Texan Cultures volunteer programs are coordinated by the staff in the Offie of Volunteer Programs. This team enables the museum to fulfill its mission by recruiting and training individuals from statewide and local communities to serve special functions in public relations, programming, services, and other areas as needed, and by providing continuing education and support for these volunteers.
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