Volunteer Information
AND INSPIRE!
If you’re the kind of high-energy person with a contagious personality who enjoys interacting with others, then don’t hesitate to become a Docent, Intern or Volunteer at RAM.
Here are a few ways we can use your time and talent to help make the art museum experience a memorable one for over 50,000 visitors each year!
Ambassador to the Arts - join our docents as they provide visitors and school groups with interactive tours and fun at the museum.
Intern - consider an internship where you can learn about the arts, artists, and the value of your premier community museum.
Volunteer - if your passion is people, experience RAM’s Arts Walk and First Sunday’s first-hand. If you’re a natural at sales, consider our gift shop.
Committee Member - participate as a community member on one of our committees supporting curatorial and education programs, membership, and the care and preservation of our historic building.
Volunteers will be expected to:
- Make a minimum commitment of six months and establish a regular schedule.
- Abide by the policies and procedures of the museum.
- Abide by the Standards for Museum Volunteers.
- Attend a general museum volunteer orientation and any training sessions required for your volunteer position.
- Attend continuing education programs and museum events, as provided, to enhance your knowledge of the museum and your professional skills.
- Collaborate with staff and other volunteers, accepting supervision and evaluation of your volunteer work.
- Communicate with staff and volunteer leadership. Your ideas, comments and feedback are welcome.
- Volunteers may be asked to successfully pass a criminal history background check.
Join us! Call (951) 684-7111
One Intern's Experience at RAM
Elizabeth Naameh
July 14, 2010
RAM Summer Intern
My Internship Experience at the Riverside Art Museum
My internship at the Riverside Art Museum (RAM) has been a wonderful opportunity to develop professional experience, cultivate reputable references, and to simply see a unique side of art philanthropy. As an intern under the Director of Development, I quickly learned the importance of juggling various tasks every day, often simultaneously. I was able to see how the RAM staff brings the beauty and creativity of the arts to the public through programs like “Art to Go” and “Arts Walk” for people of all ages and cultures to enjoy. I also learned the importance of developing close relationships with the organization’s members, donors, and Board of Trustees who are instrumental in allowing RAM to deliver some of the finest exhibitions and community educational programs in the region.
From marketing and designing to hands-on experience with the youth art education classes, my experiences at the museum have been both diverse and essential in understanding the inner workings of a non-profit organization. As my internship draws to a close, I come away with a greater sense of confidence in myself, my abilities, and my potential to contribute in a professional environment.
During my 8-week internship at RAM, I:
- Organized and implemented an online fundraising auction to allow current and potential donors to interact with the museum in a unique way. The project raised $3,442.50.
- Developed and produced auction marketing materials that reflected the mission of the museum from conception to end of campaign reporting.
- Developed and presented written launch plans outlining the auction process to senior management for approval.
- Processed incoming orders, coordinated shipments, and handled customer-related issues.
- Prepared written status reports for Board, committee, and staff meetings detailing open action items and launch status.
- Maintained records and files on incoming correspondence and other documents.
- Prepared on-line auction training manual and cross-trained another museum intern in the process.
- Attended off-site business meetings such as Good Morning Riverside to observe how the museum can better address the needs and interests of the greater community.
- Created and maintained databases, budget charts, and spreadsheets to track sales performance as needed.
- Prepared power point and web-based presentations for Board and Committee meetings.
- Handled different administrative tasks such as answering the phone, making copies, printing donor communications, and other office responsibilities.
- Designed and assembled fliers detailing current exhibitions.
- Recruited new museum members during opening receptions and Arts Walk.
- Communicated with the Board of Trustees, donors, and members to secure ongoing support.
- Participated in planning the annual Top Dog dinner and recognition event.
- As a museum receptionist and gift shop assistant, provided customer service by greeting guests, answering questions and assisting them in the selection of purchases and to finalize sales.
- Operated credit card machine and maintained organized log of membership sign-ups.
- Assisted in teaching a week-long youth art education class in ceramics.
