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Volunteer Opportunities

Outreach
National Building Museum outreach volunteer helps participant with art project.

The Museum appreciates its volunteers and strives to give them meaningful and satisfying assignments. Volunteers enhance our ability to make the Museum a premier cultural institution. We're currently recruiting dedicated volunteers who are eager to explore the world we build for ourselves. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities:

Docent Program 
Outreach Programs
Benefits of Volunteering

Apply to our volunteer program now.

 

Docent Program

No opportunities at this time, please check back soon.

 

Outreach Programs

Outreach Programs are seeking volunteers for the Museum’s multi-session, design-based teen programs: CityVision, Design Apprenticeship Program (DAP), and Investigating Where We Live (IWWL). These programs seek to teach students to observe the world around them more closely, and inspire them to look for ways to change the world around them.

  • CityVision
    This semester-long program introduces local middle school students to the design process, urban planning, and architecture. Volunteers work with a group of students as they learn design basics, explore development sites in the city, and design their own solutions to make D.C. a better place to live and work. CityVision meets each Thursday for a full day of instruction. Volunteer schedules can be flexible.
  • Design Apprenticeship Program
    This Saturday program follows a design-build format and provides hands-on construction experience to local teens. Teams of participants are given a design challenge that they must complete from initial brainstorming through final construction. Volunteers help guide their design process, and provide support as they complete the task.
  • Investigating Where We Live
    This summer program has participants learn the basics of digital photography and use those skills to document neighborhoods throughout D.C. Through images, creative writing, interviews, and original artwork, the students design and help install an exhibition about their neighborhood that is on display for nine months. Volunteers assist with their knowledge of photography and design, and help the students complete the various exhibition elements.

Learn more about the Museum's Outreach Programs.

 

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteers are an integral part of the National Building Museum's daily operations. In our fiscal year 2011, the Museum's volunteers contributed a total of 13,216 hours. Volunteering at the National Building Museum requires a commitment of time, enthusiasm, and interest.

Benefits of volunteering include:

  • Discount in the Museum Shop
  • Discount in the cafe
  • Invitations to special events
  • Monthly calendar of events
  • Free admission to public programs
  • Educational opportunities such as monthly enrichment trips, volunteer continuing education, and curatorial overviews and tours
  • Annual volunteer appreciation dinner and awards ceremony
  • Access to the Museum’s volunteer office and library

Questions? Contact the volunteer manager at 202.272.2448, ext. 3302 or ksheldon@nbm.org.