Volunteering at GRAM
Support a greater connection to art and our community by volunteering at GRAM!
Already a volunteer? Visit the Volunteer Portal
About Volunteering
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Museum. GRAM’s volunteer program features two categories of volunteer opportunities:
- Docents
- General Volunteers
Docents may sign up for Docent shifts and General Volunteer shifts. General Volunteers may only sign up for General Volunteer shifts. See additional information below to match your availability and interests with one of the categories.
All volunteers must be at least 16 years old and pass a background check, which is completed after your first training session.
Links to fill out the volunteer application are below. For more information, please contact GRAM Director of Learning and Creativity, Kristen Hoeker at 616.831.2930 or khoeker@artmuseumgr.org.
Benefits of Volunteering
To show appreciation for volunteer services, GRAM offers the following benefits:
- A supportive environment where volunteers can perform and grow
- Professional orientation, training, celebrations, and continuing education
- Parking passes to a neighboring parking lot during your shift
- Use of the Volunteer Lounge during public hours
- A volunteer recognition program which rewards volunteers with free passes and membership at different service levels
- A volunteer recognition program which rewards volunteers with service tiles for every five years of service
Ways to Volunteer
Select an option to learn more about each volunteer opportunity.
GRAM Docents
A GRAM Docent is a volunteer educator with a keen interest in art and learning. Docents support the community by providing experiences that enrich student education and the visitor experience for guests of all ages. Docents have flexible schedules and give tours on a variety of themes during the week and weekends.
Please click Become a Docent to fill out the application, and a GRAM staff member will be in contact with you shortly to review the next steps.
- GRAM Docents are required to complete an 8‑month training program (begins each August), which provides the art education content and practical knowledge necessary to lead groups of all ages through GRAM’s galleries.
- Docents continue to attend education sessions after training, offered twice a month.
- Docents lead a minimum of 11 tours per year (October through September) and dedicate 50 hours per year to GRAM’s Docent Program (which includes tours and education sessions).
- Docents must have availability for shifts during the week when most tours occur.
- Docents get an insider’s look at GRAM’s collection and exhibitions, including an early preview of upcoming exhibitions.
- Docents get access to hear special guest speakers, including GRAM’s curators and local art scholars, and receive additional benefits throughout the year including trips and artist studio visits.
- Docents form friendships and connections with each other as they learn and grow together as a community.
General Volunteers
A GRAM General Volunteer assists Museum staff during special events and programming. Most shifts are two hours in length and take place on weeknights, and during the day on the weekends. Responsibilities required of General Volunteers require minimal training. General Volunteers should be friendly, outgoing, and enjoy working with the public, including children and families.
New General Volunteers must attend an orientation before signing up for a shift. The orientation is two hours in length and is held once a year. Date of upcoming orientation: Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Please click Become a General Volunteer to fill out the application, and a GRAM staff member will be in contact with you shortly to review the next steps.
Types of opportunities for General Volunteers include:
- Volunteer Greeter: A Volunteer Greeter helps guide guests during special events at the museum such as exhibition openings, Discovery Day events, annual Gala event, GRAM on the Green, and other events. Volunteers Greeters should dress in clothing suitable for the event, taking into consideration the weather (if held outdoors), and event attire.
- Art Project Volunteers: An Art Project Volunteer assists with art making activities facilitated by the GRAM Studio staff. Art experience is not required, but they can expect to spend time preparing materials for museum guests. For example, they may spend time cutting out pictures or shapes, using various mediums and materials, and organizing components for certain art projects. Most shifts occur during Drop-In Studio, which is every Saturday and open to all museum guests.