Volunteer Opportunities

The Phillips Collection offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can contribute to the institution founded by Duncan Phillips as "a museum of modern art and its sources" by welcoming and informing the public, assisting the office staff, and educating children and families about the joy of seeing art. Volunteering at the Phillips Collection is a privilege and can be a rewarding and enriching experience.

Art Information Desk Volunteers: Greet and welcome the public, provide information to visitors about the permanent collection, special exhibitions, museum history, special events, public programs, memberships and other activities in the Washington, DC area. Volunteers are required to learn about the history of The Phillips Collection, the permanent collection, special exhibitions and other information necessary to assist the visitor. Art Information Desk Volunteers are initiated twice a year; do at least two shifts per month and are required to attend training sessions, which are scheduled between September and May.

Departmental Volunteers: Assist administrative and/or curatorial departments throughout the museum with assignments that range from research to clerical work. Placements are made when there is a departmental request for a volunteer. Opportunities may be one-time, one-project or on-going. Departmental Volunteers attend Art Information Desk Volunteer training. Specific training is on the job.

Children's Volunteer Docents: Introduce children, families and community groups to the creative world of modern art through exciting educational activities in the home-like setting of The Phillips Collection. Volunteer docents should be enthusiastic about interacting with children and have public speaking skills. The Education Department recruits and trains candidates approximately every three years.

Commitment: The Phillips Collection would like volunteers to make a one-year commitment. Special arrangements will be made for one-time or one-project volunteer opportunities.

To apply for a volunteer position, please download the application below in Word or PDF:

Volunteer Position Application

Upon completion of the form, please send, e-mail or fax this application to:

Lisa Leinberger, Volunteer Coordinator
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
202-387-2151 x222
Fax 202-387-2436
lleinberger@phillipscollection.org