Volunteer at Varley Art Gallery
Have fun while you learn job skills and life skills in a creative environment at the Varley Art Gallery!
We are looking for people (minimum age 14) with an interest in art to help us:
- Run special events
- Assist with Children’s programs
- Monitor the Exhibition Galleries (Gallery Attendants)
As a volunteer, you will:
- Build leadership skills
- Learn how to work as part of a team
- Help patrons get the most out of their visit!
- Acquire customer service skills
Volunteer Opportunities
Event Assistants
Responsibilities:
Event Assistants help in a variety of roles at events such as exhibition opening receptions, concerts, PechaKucha Night, Canada Day, Simcoe Day, Labour Day, Unionville Festival activities at the Varley Art Gallery, community events, and fundraising events (Vintages at the Varley; Rouge: Varley Gala). These roles include:
- Greeting and welcoming visitors to the gallery
- Providing information about the Gallery, art exhibitions, and specific activities
- Ensuring that visitors do not bring food and beverages into the exhibition spaces
- Reporting any safety issues to your supervisor
- Assisting with maintenance of traffic flow through the gallery lobby and exhibition spaces to ensure safety at all times
- Providing all visitors with a positive experience
- Ushering guests to their seats
- Assisting with event set up and clean up
- Assisting with food and beverages
Required Qualifications:
- Interview Results: Event Assistant or Program Assistant or Program Leader
- Valid and clear police check, requested within the last 120 days
- General Online Orientation Workshop
Program Assistants
Responsibilities:
- Providing individual support to help participants with program activities.
- Delivering instructions one-on-one to participants who require additional support.
- Preparing crafts and materials.
- Assisting with setting up the program space.
- Taking stock of program supplies and equipment.
- Becoming involved alongside instructors and participants to generate enthusiasm and engagement.
- Assisting the instructor with managing the participants and activities.
- Assisting with clean up of the activity space.
- Monitoring participants to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
Required Qualifications:
- Interview Results: Program Assistant or Program Leader
- Valid and clear police check, requested within the last 120 days
- General Online Orientation Workshop
Gallery Attendants
Gallery Attendants supervise the exhibition spaces at the Varley Art Gallery during operating hours to ensure the safety of the artworks on display. In addition to ensuring security, Gallery Attendants also enhance the public’s experience by welcoming all visitors upon entry to the exhibitions. Attendants also provide basic information about the shows presented at the Varley Art Gallery.
Role Responsibilities / Volunteer Tasks:
- Representing the Varley Art Gallery to community members and answering basic questions
- Monitoring the exhibition spaces for security purposes
- Reminding visitors of the gallery rules (no food or beverage permitted in the galleries, large bags to be left at the front desk or stored in the closets, only non-flash photography permitted, no touching of artwork)
- Completing exhibition incident reports as required
- Reporting adverse conditions in the gallery (e.g., burnt-out light bulbs, labels out of place, changes to the artwork, etc.) to the front desk immediately
- Being friendly and approachable with visitors
- Keeping an eye on all visitors in the gallery while allowing them to enjoy their experience
- Asking for assistance from Front Desk staff when required so that the gallery is monitored at all times
Required Qualifications:
- Interview Results: Program Leader
- Valid and clear police check, requested within the last 120 days
- General Online Orientation Workshop
How to apply
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Create a volunteer account and select the “Culture” department.
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Go into your Volunteer Portal account and sign up to attend an interview with any City of Markham department.
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View the online General Orientation Workshop here: Video and complete the Final Quiz here: Quiz
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Get a Police Vulnerable Sector Check. Valid within 120 days of date of issue. Visit markham.ca/volunteering for more information.