The Museum of Anthropology and American Archaeology Divison are often looking for dedicated volunteers to work under the direction of museum staff to meet many of our public education, research, and collections needs. Many activities undertaken by the museum depend on the energy and assistance of enthusiastic, well-trained, and reliable volunteers for success. New volunteers are generally recruited at the start of each semester, though resumes may be sent at any time.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact us for more information.
Volunteer Opportunities at the MoA
Active volunteers are engaged in a myriad of activities from leading tours to assistance at special events. If you are interested in volunteering at the Museum of Anthropology, please review the volunteer opportunities listed and then submit an application for a specific opportunity. Some activities require training but for most volunteer positions the only requirement is an interest in archaeology, anthropology, world cultures, a love of learning, and a willingness to make a regular time commitment, usually two to four hours, one or two days per week. Volunteers with specific skills and experience may be invited to work on special short- or long-term projects. The Museum depends on volunteer help for many of its projects and much of its development.
If there are no open positions in your area of interest and you would like to discuss other ways to engage at the museum, please contact the museum at anthromuseum@missouri.edu.
Description: Interpreters lead tours of the collections on behalf of the Museum. Tours typically last 40 - 50 minutes. The content for these tours is developed by the museum’s curators. Tours are booked for in advance for groups ranging in age from kindergarten to adult.
Required Training: Before joining the museum’s interpreters program, you will be asked to fill out an "application" that outlines your experience, interest, and availability. Providing a position is available, new interpreters will have a training period in which they will be required to accompany several curator led tours and in which they will be given a reading list with a background on the collections. New interpreters are strongly encouraged to audit classes in the Department of Anthropology. Successful completion of training, and readiness to lead tours, is based on approval by the curators.
Qualifications: Interpreters must be passionate about anthropology and be able to confidently speak to groups of people ranging in age from toddler to centenarian. Strong preference is given to those with some experience in anthropology or the sciences, public spreaking, or education. Applicant must be over 21 years of age.
Requirements: Interpreters are required to offer a minimum of three - four days a month to be free to lead tours and are open to occasional evening and weekend availability. In addition to this availability, interpreters are required to attend a semi-annual meeting.
Description: Cartifacts is an informal, in-gallery public program that provides hands-on experiences for Museum visitors of all ages. Cartifact Volunteers set up displays of five to ten touchable artifacts at carts located in the Museum’s galleries and explain the function and history of each object. Each cart is focused on a gallery theme. Cartifact Volunteers engage visitors in short-term discussions utilizing open-ended questions.
Required Training: Volunteers will be interviewed and introduced to all available carts. Volunteers will study the training manual of the cart of his/her choice for up to two weeks. After two weeks, Cartifact Volunteers will be tested on their familiarity with the objects and their ability to facilitate discussions with visitors about the material.
Qualifications: This volunteer opportunity is open to mature high school students and adults. An ideal Cartifact Volunteer demonstrates good listening and conversational skills, has enthusiasm for the material, and has knowledge of the Museum’s collections and floor plan.
Requirements: Commitment for at least two days a month is preferred. Cartifact Volunteers may schedule themselves to work for any hours during the following times: Tuesday-Friday, 9pm-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12am-4pm; or special evening events.
Description: Help the museum fulfill its mission of engaging and educating the public! Survey Assistants intercept museum visitors in the galleries and distribute and collect prepared paper surveys and questionnaires.
Required Training: Volunteers will be interviewed and introduced to the surveys and the goals of surveying.
Qualifications: This volunteer opportunity is open to adults and mature high school students. An ideal Survey Assistant demonstrates good listening and conversational skills, exhibits a friendly personality, is comfortable interacting with strangers, and has knowledge of the museum’s collections and floor plan. Survey Assistants should be able to stand for 2 or 3 hours at a time.
Requirements: Commitment to volunteer at least 2 hours once a month, and for weekend and evening events.
Description: Provide sales service to visitors, stock the shop, and assist the manager as needed behind-the-scenes and on the floor. Funds generated by the shop contribute toward supporting the museum and programs dedicated to research and community access.
Required Training: Volunteers will be interviewed and trained how to operate the register and ring up sales.
Qualifications: This volunteer opportunity is open to adults and mature high school students. An ideal Shop Assistant demonstrates good listening and conversational skills, exhibits a friendly personality, and is comfortable interacting with strangers. Shop Assistants should be able to stand for 2 or 3 hours at a time. Some retail experience is preferrred but not necessary.
Requirements: Commitment to volunteer at least once a week, for a 2 hour or 4 hour shift. Assistance is needed for weekend and evening events as well.
Volunteer Opportunities with the American Archaeology Division and the Museum Support Center
If you are interested in volunteering with the American Archaeology Division or the Museum Support Center please email: boldtj@missouri.edu.