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Volunteer Opportunities


A CRMA volunteer helps a young visitor with an art project at during Family Fun Day.

Another great way to support the CRMA is to offer your time as a Museum volunteer. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at the CRMA and we certainly wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the dedicated support of volunteers. Our volunteers are the backbone of the Museum and are greatly appreciated for all that they contribute.

Perks of becoming a CRMA Volunteer

  • Involvement in our accredited Museum and with the community

  • Participating in the development of new exhibitions

  • Ability to experience exhibitions first-hand working with the CRMA Curator

  • Attending special Museum events such as exhibition openings and lectures

  • Opportunity to learn about and share information and personal experience as a cultural ambassador for the Museum

  • Meet new people, learn about art and enjoy friendships of others who share your interests

  • 20% off all Museum Store merchandise


General Requirements of every CRMA Volunteer

  • A love of learning, exploration, and discovery

  • An appreciation for art, artists and history

  • A willingness to build on the knowledge you already possess and to learn about new possibilities of interest

  • An ability to communicate and interact with others

  • Being flexible in accommodating the needs of the museum

Read through the volunteer opportunities below. For more information about volunteering at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, please contact Education Coordinator, Andrea Jilovec at 319.366.7503 ext. 203 or ajilovec@crma.org

Docent Tour Guides

A docent is an individual that is interested in learning more about the exhibitions and permanent collect at the Museum and is willing to lead guided tours for a variety of tour groups throughout the year. Docents are the primary representatives of the Museum to the visiting public. The interest and excitement you stimulate within the visitors can effectively build long-term positive relationships for the Museum. Docents must participate in the docent training program and be willing to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per year at the CRMA.

Specific Requirements

  • An ability to communicate and interact with others

  • Being yourself and developing your own tour-conducting style through team touring, study, and practice

  • Being enthusiastic and creative in your interactions with tour groups

  • Attend and participate in the docent training program, following initial orientation

  • Volunteer 20 hours per year to lead visitor tours—that’s less than two hours per month!

  • Attend docent education meetings frequently

  • Become familiar with exhibition information to prepare for tours and learn more about the Museum and its permanent collection

  • Attend several exhibition openings and/or Museum lectures throughout the year

  • In the event that you are unable to lead a tour you have signed-on to do, it is your responsibility to find your substitute, by phoning other docents from the list.

Curatorial Volunteers

Curatorial volunteers assist the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions with a wide range of duties, from research and filing, to word processing. Individuals must be well organized, able to work independently, and occasionally work well under pressure. Volunteers must be able to perform duties prioritized according to deadlines; be able to research both in libraries and on the web; and have some familiarity with word processing programs. The duties will be wide ranging, from work required for various temporary exhibitions as well as with the Museum's collection.

Specific Requirements

  • Attend curatorial organizational meetings occasionally

  • Volunteer for four to ten hours per week

  • Become familiar with the Museum, its exhibitions, and its collection

  • Attend exhibition openings and/or Museum lectures

  • In the event that you are unable to work during hours you have committed to do, it is your responsibility to notify the curatorial staff


Registrarial Volunteers

Registrarial volunteers assist Curatorial Staff with collections and exhibitions in a wide range of duties, particularly focusing on cataloguing artwork when acquired or received on loan, and with organizing and filing information about the Museum’s permanent collections from the archives. Individuals must be well-organized, able to work independently, and be reliable and consistent in their work habits. Prior knowledge of art, art history and museum studies is helpful, but not necessary.

Specific Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Volunteer 10 to 20 hours per week

  • Must be able to work independently

  • Be computer literate

  • Knowledge of digital photography helpful

  • Art handling experience is helpful, but we will provide training

  • In the event that you are unable to work during hours you have committed to do, it is your responsibility to notify the Curatorial staff


Please note: Internships are available each semester. The CRMA can work with your academic advisor if a volunteer intern can gain credit hours for a project. The process is selective and limited due to the nature and responsibilities of the position. Contact Teri Van Dorston, Registrar at 319.366.7503 ext. 201 or tvandorston@crma.org for more information.