Volunteer at The Cowboy
Become a Guardian of the West
The great stories of the American West exist because of teachers, scholars, elders, and storytellers. Since opening in 1965, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum embraced this story telling tradition. It continues today through the strength and passion of volunteers. Volunteers interpret the evolving history and culture of the West. The Museum’s success and Guest experience depend upon their generous time, effort, energy, and expertise!
Annual Volunteers
Annual Volunteers make a regular commitment to Museum and serve a minimum of two shifts per month in their designated role(s). They may also serve in seasonal opportunities and have those hours count towards their service recognition. Annual roles include one of the following opportunities:
Gallery Host
We tell stories that are larger than life and have the art and artifacts to support them! Though they sound like tall tales, these stories come from historical facts and highlight the rich diversity of landscapes, wildlife and people. They are a curated collection that resonates with our human desire to learn about and experience Western Heritage. If you are passionate about the West and love a great story, then we invite you to become a Gallery Host! Reveal the meaning and significance behind the Museum’s collections and leave Guests wanting more!
Docent
Museum Docents are both teachers and learners. Docents create the social and educational environment in which Museum teaching and learning take place. Docents serve in the galleries conducting museum-based lessons and integrating tour themes with exhibition content, and some choose to work with all ages, while others prefer working with just adults or with students.
Training occurs on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in mid-August to mid-September.
Welcome Host
Welcome Hosts greet, distribute general information, orient and educate guests about Museum exhibitions, galleries, and programs, and answer general questions about the area. As public relations ambassadors for the Museum, they are among the first to be encountered and they help set a positive tone for guest experiences.
Seasonal Volunteers
Seasonal Volunteers serve in roles that vary month to month and are not regularly scheduled. This status requires only 1 shift per year the designated role(s) and typically includes the following:
Art Seller
Art sellers participate in the Prix de West, Traditional Cowboy Artist Sale & Exhibition and Small Works, Great Wonders. including answering questions about specific artists and their works, the process for purchasing individual pieces by drop-bid, drawing names of potential buyers, and verifying and posting buyers names. A benefit of this role it that art sellers have the opportunity to network with renowned Western artists and other art enthusiasts from across the country.
Education Assistant
Education Assistants help with programming for students, children, and families, in the Museum galleries, classroom, or meeting spaces to enhance the quality of the visitor experience and help learners connect with collections and exhibitions. Activities may range from gathering teaching materials, demonstrating crafts, or leading parts of a museum-based lesson plan.
Event Assistant
Event Assistants help with large format education programs and include facilitating activities and/or crafts stations. The main events led by the Education Department are Chuck Wagon Festival, National Day of the Cowboy, Steampunk Fall Celebration and Holidays at the Museum.
Volunteer
Questions?
If you have questions, contact:
Todd Bridgewater
Manager of Volunteer Engagement
tbridgewater@nationalcowboymuseum.org
