Volunteering, a mutually beneficial experience
Last updated | 25/11/2010
Opportunities to play a part
Whilst objects on display can suggest a calm oasis, day to day
life behind the scenes in a Musuem or Art Gallery is often
very different, with a lot going on.
Over the years we have been helped enormously in a range of some of
these activities by volunteers.
For example;
- Much of the research work for the highly successful House
to Mouse, Shopping for Food and Clothes in Perth
exhibition in 2008 was undertaken by a group of volunteers
from the Perth University of the Third Age (U3A)
- More recently the Laing Photographic archive would have taken
far longer to transfer to its tidy new storage without the
assistance of some very willing volunteers who were not afraid of
the dirty and physical nature of the work involved
- A group of volunteers from the Perth branch of the National
Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies (NADFAS) is
currently involved in cataloguing about 800 miscellaneous prints in
a variety of media with the Art Section
- Various pieces of work including researching collectors'
biographies and improving insect collection storage is being
undertaken by volunteers working with the Natural History
section
Volunteers have used their time with us to gain experience which
has enabled some to go on to further education or to enter the
Museum, Gallery or Heritage sector. Others have been only too happy
to feel that they have given something back to society. Others
again have helped remain mentally stimulated and active in their
more senior years. Our volunteers have shown commitment and
enthusiasm as well as practical skills and knowledge that have
enabled a range of projects to be successfully undertaken or
completed.
If you are passionate about Museums and Art Galleries and the
positive contribution they make to society and have skills you
are wishing to offer as a volunteer please
contact us.
Unfortunately we are not always able to take volunteers on, nor are
we always able to offer volunteering opportunities to everyone who
offers us their services.
