Volunteer

Eiteljorg volunteers making paper flowers with kids

Volunteer at the Eiteljorg

Be a part of the Eiteljorg story

Volunteers become part of the Eiteljorg team and help enhance programs, events, and exhibitions. When you become a volunteer, you can expect to meet visitors from all over.

Eiteljorg volunteers have the opportunity to receive many perks during their time with us. They receive a 10% discount in the museum store and a 15% discount in the café, a blue Eiteljorg volunteer T-shirt, and free parking in our parking garage while they volunteer. Additional benefits include access to our monthly volunteer newsletter, an invitation to our annual volunteer recognition event and a complimentary museum membership if the volunteer completes 40 hours in the year.

Opportunities Include:

Clerical Assistant
Clerical volunteers provide a very important function within the museum. They provide support to staff as we prepare mailings and packets. They enter data and do general but essential clerical tasks. It is a flexible position and changes from week to week. Persons who are retired from previous office positions might enjoy this opportunity to return to a thriving work environment.
Eiteljorg Museum Store

Join the retail sales team in this unique shop for an opportunity to learn about Western wear, fine jewelry, art, and books that relate to Native American and Western cultures. The Frank and Katrina Basile Museum Store is an important part of the museum’s operations, and it welcomes those volunteers who have retail experience.

Facilities
Join the facilities team to help set up for some of the museum major events such as the annual Indian Market & Festival. Volunteers must be able to lift and help carry tables and chairs and be able to work both inside the museum and outside the museum in hot weather.
Festivals, Markets, & Special Events

The Indian Market & Festival is an annual event in June that brings in Native American artists from around the U.S. and Canada. The nationally-recognized event includes an art market, Native American entertainment, and food vendors. Volunteers are needed to assist with many aspects of Indian Market & Festival. Also, volunteers are needed at Spring Market, where regional artists sell their creations at the Eiteljorg. The Eiteljorg Museum sometimes has volunteer opportunities outside the building at local trade shows, the Indiana State Fair, etc., that can include speaking to small groups.

Gardening
Put your gardening expertise to work by helping us maintain the Eiteljorg gardens.
Guide/Docent Program

The position of Eiteljorg guide is ideal for life-long-learners and people who want to share the museum galleries with visitors. Guide training is an exciting course taught once a year to prepare volunteers to lead visitors through the galleries. The guides serve a minimum two-year commitment, giving tours to groups from school-aged students to seniors. If you enjoy learning and love to discuss art, history, and cultures of the American West and Native peoples, then we are looking for you. Training begins in October and continues through January, with breaks during the holidays. Classes meet on Mondays.

Hands-On Cart Program

Volunteers provide an enjoyable and educational experience through the use of hands-on items from the education collection, including animal pelts, baskets, pottery, and other items representative of objects found in the galleries. Volunteers who have an interest in the art, history, and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America will find this an engaging and worthwhile experience.

Internships

Non-paid interns are needed in most departments of the museum. Descriptions of all open internship positions will be posted on our website in advance of each semester. If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to the head of the department in which you would like to intern. Internships exist to meet the goals of the museum, the intern’s academic goals, and also provide interns with an understanding of our mission, programs, exhibits, and policies. Interns can complete the internship for academic credit, career experience, or both. The museum staff is highly recognized and offers insights into the museum world that can benefit interns professionally.

Membership Sales

We need enthusiastic volunteers to join our membership sales team. Recruiting members is not only fun but also rewarding, and with all the exhibits, festivals, and educational programs planned, the Eiteljorg practically sells itself to prospective new members. Volunteers are generally needed during museum events, special exhibits, and Jingle Rails.

R.B. Annis Western Family Experience
As a trained volunteer, you will have the opportunity to socialize with visitors and engage them in activities while actively sharing stories about the lives of real families in the American West. This area is very interactive and designed for children ages 6 to 10 and their families.

Have questions before you apply?

There are many other opportunities available. Training is available for all positions and volunteers receive many benefits including a museum membership after 40 hours service in a given year. Come and join the fun!

Volunteer Application

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EITELJORG VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES:
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Thanks for your interest in the Eiteljorg Museum! We look forward to having you join us as a volunteer in exploring the West and Native American cultures!

Questions? Contact volunteers@eiteljorg.com, call 317.275.1325, or mail Volunteer Coordinator - Eiteljorg Museum, 500 West Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

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