Check out our Riverfront Museum volunteer opportunities below! If you believe your personality and skills will benefit the visitor experience of the Museum please fill out the Volunteer Application and submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator via mail (222 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL 61602) or email. Thank you!
Volunteer Training
Stream Table Presenter Training – Saturdays - Email to Schedule
Possible Training Days: Sept 16, 23, 30 | Oct 7, 14, 21, 28 | Nov 4, 11, 18 | Dec 2, 9, 16, 30
By appointment at 11 am or 3 pm
IL River Science Lab
Lead staff member: Dave G.
Stool available if needed
The stream table shows, in miniature, how streams flow through a watershed and how they behave when the water level changes.
This training will focus on using the stream table and how to demonstrate various activities on the stream table to the public.
Volunteer Training
Science Cart Training, Spooky Science - Email to Schedule
Dates for signing up include Sept 23, 24, 30 | Oct 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 31
2 pm
Museum Lobby
Lead Staff Member: Dave G.
Stool available if needed
The Spooky Science cart is our Halloween twist on our usual science carts. There are 5 experiments that will take a totally time of about 12-15 minutes to complete a full run-through, then the volunteer/staff member would discarded used materials and reset (taking about 5-10 minutes), before running through the science cart another time. The experiments will include density, acid, base reactions. Training materials will be provided.
*If you’re interested in this training, let me know and we can set a different date/time during normal business hours.
Educational Programming
Art-spiration: Fire Breathing Dragons! - Saturday, September 30
Event runs: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteer shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
This one hour (1:30-2:30 pm) educational art-based program is free with general admission. Visitors are invited to participate with activity in the main lobby of the museum. The topic for Art-spiration is Fire Breathing Dragons. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity.
Volunteer Training
Emergence Docent Training - Monday, October 2
4-5 pm
International Feature Gallery
Museum Docent Volunteers are responsible for presenting additional exhibit information to visitors of varying ages and interest levels of the Museum. Docents are important aspects of our exhibitions because often time visitors seek more information than what can be provided within the labels of the exhibition. Training & materials are provided by the Education staff.
Please RSVP to attend this training.
*Opportunities for Docents will include Saturday and Sunday on the weekends and each First Friday we’re open to the public (Oct 6, Nov 3, Jan 5).
Educational Programming
Super Saturday: Fizzing Colors! - Saturday, October 7
Volunteer Shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
Event: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Super Saturday is a general science, family-friendly program. The topic for Super Saturday is Fizzing Colors. It is free with general admission and last from 1:30-2:30 pm. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. The program takes place in the Main Lobby of the museum. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity prior to the event.
Special Event
Museum’s Birthday Free Day - Saturday, October 21
Volunteer Shift: 9:45- Noon
Volunteer Shift: Noon – 2 pm
Volunteer Shift: 2-5 pm
Free Day all day
Volunteers Needed: 8-12
Volunteer will assist with greeting guests, passing out stickers, gallery hosting, and other duties as needed. Help the Museum celebrate its 5th birthday downtown with a free day!
Educational Programming
Art-spiration: Rainbow Fish! - Saturday, October 28
Event runs: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteer shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
This one hour (1:30-2:30 pm) educational art-based program is free with general admission. Visitors are invited to participate with activity in the main lobby of the museum. The topic for Art-spiration is Rainbow Fish. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity.
Special Event
Go M.A.D. with Art | Museum After Dark – Saturday, October 28
Volunteer Shift: 6:30-9:30 pm
Event: 7-9 pm
Volunteers Needed: 3-4
Volunteers will assist with lobby activities, serve as bartenders, or walk the galleries as gallery hosts throughout the evening.
Looking for a unique way to spend an evening? Come explore Emergence: The National Arts of Central Illinois, featuring a special after-hours tour with the exhibition's curator Zac Zetterberg. You’ll enjoy our lobby activities including an artist led micro workshop (pointillism), painting with coffee, paper marbling, and more! We'll finish the evening in the Planetarium with contemporary art on the Dome! Drinks, light snacks, and a cash bar will be available (1 free drink).
Educational Programming
Super Saturday: Zoom into Fall! - Saturday, November 4
Volunteer Shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
Event: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Super Saturday is a general science, family-friendly program. The topic for Super Saturday is Fizzing Colors. It is free with general admission and last from 1:30-2:30 pm. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. The program takes place in the Main Lobby of the museum. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity prior to the event.
Educational Programming
Art-spiration: Animal Puppets! - Saturday, November 18
Event runs: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteer shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
This one hour (1:30-2:30 pm) educational art-based program is free with general admission. Visitors are invited to participate with activity in the main lobby of the museum. The topic for Art-spiration is Animal Puppets. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity.
Special Event
Yule Like Peoria - Friday, November 24
Volunteer Shift: 6-9 pm (in shifts of 1, 2, or all 3 hours)
Event: 6-9 pm
Volunteers Needed: 8
Volunteers will act as Greeters at the Doors from the Garage (seated), the Lobby Entrance (seated or standing), and the Plaza Entrance (seated or standing), and a Planetarium Greeter (seated or standing).
Special Event
Membership Appreciation Day – Saturday, November 25
Volunteer shift: every two hours on the hour for the duration of the event
Event: 10:00a-9:00p
Main Lobby
Lead Staff Member: Erica Wright
Member Appreciation day is held each year to say thank you to our member's.
The volunteers will work with staff members to help greet visitors and replenish snacks in the member lounge.
Museum Store Volunteer
Holiday Greeters - Museum Store
Saturday, November 25, December 2, 9 & Starting December 15-December 24
Volunteer Shift: varies/flexible during open hours 10-5 & Noon-5 on Sundays
Lead Staff Member – Rachael; Luis
Seated or standing position
Volunteers will greet visitors to the Museum Store and assist them to finding merchandise/appropriate gifts.
Special Event
Holiday Luncheon - Monday, December 4
Volunteer shift: varies
Event: 11:00-1:00
Lead Staff Member: Erica Wright
Holiday Luncheon is an annual fundraiser and silent auction.
Volunteers are needed during various shifts to assist with registration, bartending, silent auction, etc. This is a formal event and volunteers will be expected to wear business casual. Please RSVP to help with this special event by Monday, November 23. The event runs 11:00-1:00.
• Bartender (10am-11:45am)
• Host the Giving Tree (10am-11:45am)
• Assist with silent auction (10am-1pm)
• Assist with registration (10am-11:30am)
• Check Out (12:30pm-1:30pm)
• Programs (10am-11:30)
• Coat Check (10am-11:30am/12:45pm-1:30pm)
Educational Programming
Super Saturday: Snow Science! - Saturday, December 16
Volunteer Shift: 1:15-2:45 pm
Event: 1:30-2:30 pm
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Super Saturday is a general science, family-friendly program. The topic for Super Saturday is Snow Science. It is free with general admission and last from 1:30-2:30 pm. The volunteer is responsible for arriving 15 minutes early to set up, run the program, and 15 minutes after the program to clean up. The program takes place in the Main Lobby of the museum. A museum staff member will provide the volunteer with the information and materials for the activity prior to the event.
Special Event
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Premiere
Dates TBD
Times TBD
Location: Giant Screen Theater
Lead staff: David S.
1-2 volunteers per shift to take tickets hand out glasses and help clean theater between shows. Each volunteer will receive two free Hollywood movie passes for the Giant Screen Theater
Educational Programming
Boredom Busters – Mid-December (Dates TBD)
Volunteer shift: 1:00-3:00
Event: 1:30-2:30
Location: Main Lobby
Lead staff: Taylor S.
Mondays-Saturdays (when the museum is open. Stop by the Riverfront Museum to see how you can add a little extra science and a lot more fun to your winter break! We'll be demonstrating awesome sensory chemistry experiments in the lobby that are perfect for the whole family. Best of all, we'll give you an instruction sheet so you can recreate the fun at home!
Volunteers will be responsible for demonstrating the boredom buster activity to visitors. The volunteer shift is from 1:00-3:00 with the program running from 1:30-2:30.
Museum Store Volunteers provide many essential services to Museum visitors and patrons. Store volunteers work side-by-side with staff to help create an excellent customer experience by greeting and assisting guests who visit the Museum Store. Volunteers learn to work with the computerized cash register as well as help maintain a neat and tidy appearance in the Museum Store. You must be 18 years of age to serve as a Museum Store Volunteer. Please contact Rachael McArdle for more information.
Museum Gallery Host Volunteers provide many essential services to Museum visitors and patrons. Gallery Host volunteers help create an excellent customer experience by being cheerful and attentive to our guests; doing your best to answer questions while upholding the museum’s expectations for visitor behavior in the galleries and special exhibitions. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
The Museum Greeter serves as an ambassador of the museum by properly greeting, providing general information about the museum, and providing directions to museum visitors. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Museum Docent Volunteers are responsible for presenting additional exhibit information to visitors of varying ages and interest levels of the Museum. Docents are important aspects of our exhibitions because often time visitors seek more information than what can be provided within the labels of the exhibition. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Education Garden Volunteers will assist the program department staff with the maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Education Garden volunteers will work independently in the garden with guidelines for what is needed seasonally. Volunteers will assist with the planting of native species for educational classes, weeding, winterizing, and other tasks as assigned. Must have gardening experience and be able to bend down and kneel. Must be 18 years of age to serve as an Education Garden Volunteer. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Throughout the year, the Museum hosts many school aged children on various field trips. As a school group greeter volunteer you would help welcome, lead, and monitor the school group throughout their visit to the Museum from start to finish, taking them from activity to activity. Must be comfortable walking, talking in front of groups, and being flexible with shifting schedules. Please contact Heather Placko, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO:
If you are interested in any of the above mentioned volunteer opportunities, please fill out our standard volunteer application and contact our Volunteer Coordinator. Please write the volunteer opportunity in which you are interested in the subject line of your email. Thank you!
