Volunteers
All segments of the museum rely on volunteers, and giving your time is a wonderful way to broaden your knowledge while helping the museum. Some volunteer activities can be done from home, including updating databases, editing, and preparing materials and mailings. In the summer, volunteers tend to the grounds and gardens while learning from horticulturists and ethnobotanists about the plants and their uses. Specially trained volunteers help in collections to handcraft cradles for delicate objects. MNA researchers also oversee several citizen science projects.
Whatever your interest, skill set, and availability, there’s a place for you at the museum. To become involved, email your interest and skills to our volunteer coordinator Amelia Swann.
Volunteer hours are tracked and help the museum to acquire grants. Current volunteers are responsible for logging their hours on the Volgistics website.
Docents
Are you passionate about sharing stories and connecting with people? Consider becoming a docent at the Museum of Northern Arizona! Our docents are enthusiastic volunteer educators who lead tours, engage visitors with hands-on activities, and guide them through our galleries and grounds. You’ll help bring the natural and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau to life, sparking curiosity and wonder as visitors explore the museum’s exhibits and legacy.
After a friendly interview and selection process, you’ll take part in a fascinating docent training program covering topics like archaeology, ethnology, geology, paleontology, ecology, fine arts, and more.
As a docent, you’ll need to maintain your museum membership and volunteer for at least 60 hours over two years—but many docents stay much longer, enjoying continued learning through monthly Peer-to-Peer sessions and special curator-led tours of new exhibits. Plus, logging your hours is easy through our web-based volunteer management platform.
Email your interest in becoming a docent to our volunteer coordinator Amelia Swann.
Docent resource page for existing docents.
Junior Docents
For middle-school and high-school students, our Junior Docents program offers a chance to learn about science, art, and working with the public. It’s also a great opportunity to build your experience, skills, and resume. Junior Docents are trained to do short demonstrations and hands-on activities for museum visitors. To qualify, you must have reliable transportation and be available some weekends and Thursday evenings. If you or someone you know would like to become a Junior Docent, please email your interest to our volunteer coordinator Amelia Swann.