What Can I Do?

Volunteers are sometimes portrayed as those who staple papers and stuff envelopes. That is a fairly limited view of what the Volunteer Program of the Japanese American National Museum has to offer. YES, we do often stuff envelopes and make copies, but the work of the volunteer goes far beyond this.

Volunteers at the Japanese American National Museum participate in all aspects of the Museum's operation. As a volunteer you will find yourself in a personally rewarding atmosphere of art and historical exhibits, lectures, arts & crafts classes, musical and stage performances, film and video screenings, panel discussions, field trips, food fairs and much more. You will quickly discover that the Museum maintains a busy schedule of activities!

Volunteer Opportunities

Arts & Crafts

The fragrance of Japanese food has been known to fill the halls as guest "chefs" provide demonstrations in weekend cooking classes. Many also come to learn and then teach our visitors the disciplines and delights of origami and flower arranging.

Collections

Gloves and masks? It looks like surgery, but it is really the task of documenting and caring for Museum artifacts and historical collections.

Community Outreach

We are a Museum without walls. We desire to share our message and mission with schools, churches and community organizations. Community Outreach volunteers travel as speakers or ambassadors to introduce the Museum to the broader American community.

Computer Skills

From the most basic data entry to website design, we welcome any who can offer their expertise in this area.

Exhibit Installation and Maintenance

Good with a hammer? The Museum's exhibits are crafted with the utmost care. Can you help in this area?

Gallery and Exhibit Docents

Docents are the Museum's "faculty," providing explanations and backgrounds for the Museum's many exhibitions. Gallery Docents provide visitors with an in-depth explanation of the Japanese American experience.

Hirasaki National Resource Center

Volunteers assist visitors access information about the Japanese American experience through written resources, web access and microfilm.

Museum Store

Front or back? Volunteers assist in the operation of the Museum Store. You can serve up front with the public or in back with stocking and packing store inventory.

Office Assistants

Work together with Museum staff in creating publications, correspondence and assisting in assorted clerical duties.

School and Group Tour Docents

The docents are the Museum "faculty." School and group tour docents help interpret the Museum's exhibitions to groups by conducting Museum-wide tours.

Special Events

Volunteers work together with staff in planning such events as New Year Family Celebrations, Museum participation in Nisei Week and other community events.

Transcribers & Translators

The Museum does research in four language groups: English, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese. Fala português? Please visit: www.discovernikkei.org

Visitor Services / Greeters

Extend the warmth of the Museum experience by working as a greeter welcoming visitors to the Museum.

Comments from volunteers

"To assist the Museum to carry on the legacy of Japanese Americans such as my grandparents is a truly personal worthwhile experience and most rewarding."

"Volunteering provides me with an opportunity to give back in a small way to my community which has provided me with so much."

"I have met so many wonderful people and have heard their stories. As a Museum volunteer, my life has been so enriched."

"I'm a Yonsei and volunteering on weekends at the Museum has helped me to understand my heritage and really appreciate my great-grandparents."