Become a Volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities are Now Available for Museum, Education, and Special Events!
Support the Center for Puppetry Arts with Your Time and Talent
Volunteering at the Center for Puppetry Arts is a way to discover the art of puppetry and help facilitate similar discoveries for our patrons! If you are interested in helping with educational programming and puppet-related special events, consider becoming a volunteer. We welcome individuals 16 years and older from all different backgrounds and skill sets to join our team.
Volunteer Opportunities
Museum
Position Title: Museum Volunteer
Supervisor: Volunteer Programs Manager and Museum Operations Manager
Hours this position is available:
Tuesday-Friday:
9:30 am -12:30 pm
Saturday:
10:00 am-1:00 pm
2:00-5:00 pm
Sunday:
12:30-3:00 pm
Open availability. Please check with the Volunteer Programs Manager for busy Center days when Museum Volunteers are most needed.
Position Summary:
To provide excellent customer service to visitors at the Worlds of Puppetry museum entrance by greeting patrons, offering information answering questions about the Center and the museum, and helping patrons interact with our galleries in an immersive, meaningful way.
Responsibilities:
- Greet each visitor with a smile.
- Assist patrons in navigating the Center & provide information regarding daily programs.
- Interact with guests in the galleries.
- Facilitate guest experience in the Henson Gallery, guiding guests through the interactive TV studio-inspired section. (Requires additional training)
Qualifications/Expectations
- Works well with children and adults.
- Comfortable working and speaking within large crowds.
- Good communication skills.
Time Commitment:
Preferably a minimum of 3 hours (1 shift) a month
Training:
- Volunteer orientation with the Volunteer Programs Manager.
- Schedule a personal appointment for Henson gallery training with the Volunteer Programs Manager.
Education
Position Title: Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ Volunteer
Supervisor: Education Coordinator or Teaching Artist
Hours this position is available:
Wednesday – Friday:
11:15 – 1:30 pm
*(Select Tuesdays depending on the show)
Saturday:
10:00 am-5:00 pm
12:15–2:30 pm
Sunday:
12:30-5:00 pm
2:15–4:30 pm
Position Summary:
Volunteers will work in the Education Department, assisting with prep for onsite workshops, to-go kits, and on occasion, special programming. The volunteers can help with onsite workshops, and engaging with students and families, although it is not required.
Responsibilities:
- “Stack” puppet parts to create sets for the tables in classrooms and to-go kits
- Make to-go puppet kits
- Assist students during taught workshops and families in open workshops (would be lightly trained)
- Assist with resetting classrooms after workshops
- Assist with other educational duties as decided by the education leadership team
Qualifications/Expectations:
- Works well with adults and students of all ages and abilities
- Excellent listener
- Flexible
- Fun and positive energy
Other
- Must be able to follow instructions
- Comfortable being alone in the office if programming gets busy
- Good attitude
Note: The office can get pretty active and full of staff!
Training:
Volunteer Orientation with the Volunteer Programs Manager.
The first shift will be trained on some basics of the department, usually by someone on the Education leadership team.
Special Events
Position Title: Special Event Volunteer
Supervisor: Volunteer Programs Manager and/or Supervising Staff per event.
Hours this position is available:
Various times and dates: Dates shared by the Volunteer Programs Manager.
Position Summary:
Volunteers will assist with special events, generally held in the evening. Tasks vary for the special events but may include the following: greeting patrons as they arrive, assisting with house management of the shows, serving drinks, working as a Create-A-Puppet Worksop™ volunteer, and the set-up/clean-up before and after the event.
Responsibilities:
- Greeting patrons and assisting with wayfinding. (“Which theatre do I go to?” “Where’s the nearest restroom?” etc.)
- Assist patrons in Create-a-Puppet workshops or other hands-on activities, if applicable.
- Set up and clean up for the event.
- Other duties per specific event, are to be communicated by the Volunteer Programs Manager ahead of time.
Qualifications/Expectations
- Friendly and outgoing
- Comfortable with crowds
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
Time Commitment:
Time commitment varies depending on the opportunities available.
Training:
- Volunteer Orientation with the Volunteer Programs Manager.
- Specific event instructions are provided by supervising Center personnel before the event starts time.