“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Volunteer Opportunities
Lend your time and talents to help preserve, exhibit, and teach Iowa’s African American heritage.
As a volunteer, you’re an integral part of our team. We’ll help you find an opportunity that fits your availability, talents and interests.
Become a Volunteer
Review current opportunities and apply to become a volunteer.
Ongoing Opportunities
Explore the volunteer opportunities we have available all the time.
Visitor Services Volunteer
Visitor Services Volunteers create a welcoming, professional environment, helping ensure all Museum visitors have a positive experience. You may:
- Welcome patrons to the museum
- Take admission
- Sell items from the museum store
- Answer visitor questions
You’ll receive training from museum staff. The hours available reflect the Museum’s open hours. Scheduling is flexible, though volunteers willing to commit to a 3.25 hour shift (9:45am-1pm or 1pm-4:15pm) one day per week, for a minimum of six months are preferred.
Qualifications:
Friendly, professional demeanor
Interested in Iowa’s Black history
Familiar with the AAMI’s exhibits and events
Customer service and/or cash register experience is a plus
Docent
As a docent, you’ll assist with leading guided tours through the AAMI’s exhibits and presenting workshops and other programming for various groups.
Tours are scheduled through the education department at least seven days in advance and last for 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll receive tour scripts and training from the museum education staff. You must have an energetic, engaging personality and be comfortable speaking to audiences of all ages. The hours available are between 10 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Specialist Volunteer
Lend your expertise to museum staff if you have skills in needed areas, such as:
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Strategic Planning
- Accounting
- Carpentry
We offer flexible scheduling. Some work may be done off-site with approval.
Oral History Transcriptionist
Help document oral histories by creating written transcriptions of these interviews. The AAMI’s collection contains dozens of oral histories that preserve first-hand accounts of African American life in Iowa. You’ll get training from curatorial staff. Hours available are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, with flexible scheduling.
Qualifications:
Attention to detail
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and typing
Administrative Volunteer
Assist museum staff with:
- Data entry
- Inventory
- Mailings
- General office tasks
You’ll get training from museum staff. The hours available are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m with flexible scheduling.
Qualifications:
Attention to detail
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and typing
One-Time Opportunities
Opportunities to help us with a short-term needs are welcome and needed.
Gala Volunteer
Each October we have the History Makers Gala event. You may:
- Serve on a planning committee – Planning committees meet in the month leading up to the Gala
- Sell raffle tickets
- Register guests
- Choose another opportunity
Day-of volunteers (registration, raffle tickets, etc.) may have to attend a training session before the event. Learn more about
New Volunteer Orientation
Are you a new AAMI volunteer? Please complete this online orientation.
Current Volunteers
Thank you for your service! Click here to log your hours.
