We Love Our Volunteers
Each year, countless community members contribute to this great city’s cultural vibrancy by donating their time to the BMFA. From high school students to retirees, people of different backgrounds help the Museum to meet its goal of bringing art into the lives of people throughout Brownsville’s communities. At the BMFA, volunteer opportunities encompass a broad range of abilities and interests. Options include leading tours of the Museum galleries, helping in gallery setups, assisting with clerical duties, greeting guests, and facilitating children’s art projects. For questions and comments, please send us a message.
Our Volunteer Core Values
- Passion for art and appreciation for its value in society.
- Commitment to supporting the museum’s mission and goals.
- Dedication to providing excellent customer service to museum visitors.
- Respect for the museum’s staff, fellow volunteers and visitors.
- Willingness to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, through training and experience at the museum.
- Integrity and honesty in all actions and interactions with others.
- Inclusivity and appreciation for diversity in all forms.
- Flexible & adaptable in a dynamic and ever-changing museum environment.
- Collaboration and teamwork with volunteers & staff to achieve shared goals.
- As a spirit of generosity and giving back to the community by sharing their time and skills with the museum.
Program General Requirements
- All volunteers should adhere to the BMFA policies, such as dress code, confidentiality and code of conduct.
- Attend a Volunteer Orientation, ongoing training sessions and staff meetings to stay informed about museum exhibits, programs and policies.
- Volunteer hour letters will be handed in May, August and December.
- No cell phones allowed during volunteer hours. They will be left at the front desk and will be able to take some minutes if need to check the phone.
- Dress Code: Appropriate business casual attire is required. Avoid revealing clothing such as shorts, tank tops, or flip flops. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for standing and walking for long periods of time. Avoid excessive jewelry or accessories that could potentially damage artwork or displays.
- Have turned in the registration form and required documents.
Summer Camps
Saturday Art Classes
Gallery & Special Events
Summer Camps
Summers at BMFA are one of the funnest seasons of the year. Campers enjoy a variety of activities from the arts, music and science field. This is a great volunteer opportunity for students who are seeking to gain experience working with children, as art teachers, among others.
Responsibilities
A summer camp volunteer is responsible for helping to create a fun and safe environment for children participating.
- Supervise and monitor campers to ensure their safety and well being at all times.
- Assist with lunch time as needed.
- Help maintain a clean and organized camp environment , including cabins or dormitories, dining areas, and activity spaces.
- Work collaboratively with other volunteers and camp staff to ensure that all campers’ needs are met.
- Attend training sessions and staff meetings to stay informed about camp policies, procedures, and expectations.
- Foster a sense of community and inclusivity among campers by promoting teamwork, respect, and positive interactions.
- Follow established protocols for addressing any concerns or issues that may arise, including reporting any incidents or accidents to camp leadership promptly.
- Provide positive feedback and support to campers to promote self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
- However, a positive attitude, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a passion for working with children are important qualities for success in this role.
Requirements for this volunteer position
- Must be 16 and 17 years of age.
- Able to stand up and be active (walking, carrying, moving tables, ect)
- Sign up for a minimum of 35 hours on the same program.
- Must bring your lunch and water bottle.
- Come everyday with a good attitude and must like to work and be around children from 6 to 12 years old.
- Upload a letter of intentions or a letter from the school explaining why you want to volunteer at BMFA and why you need the volunteer hours and how many hours you intend to volunteer.
- Attend an assigned volunteer orientation meeting before starting to put on hours.
Saturday Art Classes
This is a great volunteer opportunity to gain experience teaching art to children and learning from professional instructors. The BMFA’s Saturday Art Classes are our annual 9 months Art and Culture program to teach children ages 6-12 about a wide variety of media and the rich cultural history of Brownsville, Texas. Each month in the series focuses on a different series of mediums, themes, and cultural traditions. Young artists will learn how to use traditional artist tools in innovative ways and gain valuable experience working in groups to develop creative solutions.
Responsibilities
- Assist the art teacher with preparing and setting up art supplies and materials for class.
- Help students with art projects, providing guidance and support as needed.
- Provide individual attention to students who need extra help or have special needs.
- Foster a positive and creative atmosphere in the classroom by promoting teamwork, respect, and positive interactions among students.
- Help maintain a clean and organized art classroom environment.
- Attend training sessions and staff meetings to stay informed about art class policies, procedures, and expectations.
- Assist with documenting student work, organizing art shows or exhibitions, or other special projects.
- Attend training sessions and staff meetings to stay informed about class policies, procedures and expectations.
- Promote creativity and self expression by encouraging students to experiment with different art techniques and media.
- Follow established protocols for addressing any concerns or issues that may arise, including reporting any incidents or accidents to the art teacher.
- Foster a love of art and appreciation for creative expression among students.
Requirements for this volunteer position
- Sign up minimum to complete 40 hours ( Saturdays during 2 months) on the same program.
- College students from education, art, psychology, or related fields of study.
- Able to stand up and be active (walking, carrying, moving tables, ect)
- Come everyday with a good attitude and must like to work and be around children from 6 to 12 years old.
- Upload a letter of intentions or a letter from the school explaining why you want to volunteer at BMFA and why you need the volunteer hours and how many hours you intend to volunteer.
- Must be at least 16 years old. If 18 and up, you will need to turn in or submit a copy of an official ID and a background check.
- Attend an assigned volunteer orientation meeting before starting to put in hours.
Gallery & Special Events
Responsibilities
- Greet visitors and provide information. You may be asked to provide information about the gallery, its mission, and its program to visitors. This could include providing brochures or answering questions about the exhibits on display.
- Assist with events: You may be asked to assist with gallery events, such as openings, artist talks, and workshops.This could involve setting up and taking down equipment, helping guests find their way around the gallery and answering questions.
- Help with exhibitions: You may assist with the installation and deinstallation of exhibits. This could involve handling artwork, hanging pieces and preparing labels.
- Overall, as a gallery volunteer, your primary responsibility is to support the gallery and its staff in providing a positive and engaging experience for visitors.
Requirements for this volunteer position
- Sign up to complete a minimum of 40 hours (Saturdays during 2 months) for the same program.
- Able to stand up and be active (walking, carrying, moving tables, ect.)
- Come everyday with a good, positive attitude.
- Upload a letter of intentions about why you want to volunteer at BMFA and why you might need the volunteer hours.
- If you’re 18 yrs. of age or older, you’ll need to submit a copy of an official ID and a background check.
- Bring your own food and drink for lunch.
Thank you for your interest in the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.
Carefully review all the volunteer opportunities above and the responsibilities for each position. Click on the button below to fill out and submit your volunteer application when you are ready to begin. We hope to meet you soon!