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!
Education Program
Family Day at the Museum - Saturday, October 20
Event: 10am-2 pm
Volunteer Shift: 9:45 am-2 pm
Volunteers Needed: 5
Lead Staff: Heather
Seated
Join the Riverfront Museum for a family day celebrating the different and unique arts of our four new exhibitions. Participate in fun activities and explore these new exhibitions on opening day!
"TIFFANY: The Collection of Don Shay”
"RODIN: CAST IN BRONZE—The Work of Many Hands”
"The Golden Age of DISNEY: The Collection of Steve Spain”
"PEORIA PLAYERS THEATRE - 100 YEARS".
Special Member-only hour from 11-Noon with Member exclusive activities and light treats.
Volunteers will help with crafts in the lobby.
Education Program
Docent Training (Tiffany & Rodin) – Monday, October 22, 5:30-6:30 pm
Training for volunteers that wish to provide the public with tours of specific exhibitions on Saturday s & Sundays at 2 pm during the run of an exhibition. Must be able to provide at least 2 tours a month.
TIFFANY: The Collection of Don Shay | October 20, 2018 — January 20, 2019
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is excited to feature a selection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's world famous lamps on loan from collector, Don Shay.
From Mark Twain's home to the White House, Tiffany Studios has unforgettably impacted American arts and crafts. Louis Comfort Tiffany's world famous lamps which were first commercially manufactured around 1885, eventually becoming synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement. Celebrating Tiffany's pioneering achievements, Peoria Riverfront Museum will exhibit the most prized collections of Tiffany lamps in Central Illinois.
Sponsored by Tom and Lois Mayer
RODIN: CAST IN BRONZE—The Work of Many Hands | October 20, 2018 — January 20, 2019
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is honored to host the upcoming exhibition that will include world-renowned sculptures from the 1st century A.D. to the late 19th century. This exhibition is being guest-curated by William Heidrich.
Featuring a fascinating display of sculpture ranging from the 1st century A.D. to the late 19th century. This exhibition examines the mastery of bronze casting through an unprecedented display of priceless works. The nature of lifetime and posthumous casts, the rise of the Italian Renaissance workshops, and the meticulous nature of finishing and detailing are explored.
Education Program
Docent Training (Disney & Peoria Players) – Tuesday, October 23, 5:30-6:30 pm
Training for volunteers that wish to provide the public with tours of specific exhibitions on Saturday s & Sundays at 2 pm during the run of an exhibition. Must be able to provide at least 2 tours a month.
Peoria Players Theatre — 100 Years | October 20, 2018 — January 20, 2019
As the longest continuously running community theater in the state of Illinois and the fourth oldest in the nation, the name Peoria Players is indelible to the history of Peoria. A special exhibition celebrating the 100th year of the Peoria Players Theatre will feature rare posters, playbills, props, and more.
The Golden Age of Disney: The Collection of Steve Spain | October 20, 2018 — January 20, 2019
For the first time on public display, Peoria Riverfront Museum will present an exhibition highlighting The Golden Age of Disney seen through Steve Spain's amazing collection of Disney animation celluloids and preparatory drawings.
The Golden Age of Disney features the most comprehensive regional collection of Disney art from 1928-1959. This exhibition of framed preparatory drawings, celluloid and painted backgrounds examines Disney animation innovations as well as the impact of Disney on American culture.
Education Program
Astronomy Free Day – Sunday, November 4
Volunteer shift: 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
Event: 1-4 pm
Lead Staff Member: Renae/Heather
Participate in hands-on astronomy activities. Activities will be held in the Museum Lobby from 1-4 pm.
Volunteers will pass out stickers for free admission & help run fun astronomy activities.
Education Program
Senior Morning | "TIFFANY: The Collection of Don Shay" - Wednesday, November 14
Event: 10-11:30 am
Volunteer Shift: 9:30 am-Noon
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Lead Staff: Shelby
Seated/Standing
Free for seniors - these educational events take place every other month on Wednesday morning and cover topics from Museum exhibits to educational movies. This month we'll talk about the new exhibition "TIFFANY: The Collection of Don Shay”. Enjoy a presentation about the exhibit and after the presentation, you will go upstairs and explore the exhibit with staff members to answer your questions. Free parking in the covered park deck off of Water Street.
10:00 am Coffee and danish, muffins, and other light breakfast treats
10:30 am Program
11:00 am Gallery visit
Volunteers will help greet guests, give everyone that come in a sticker and a flyer with future events listed on it. If the volunteer is a docent, they can accompany the group to the exhibition after to help answer questions in the exhibition.
Special Event
Return to Hogwarts: Dinner & A Movie – Friday, November 16
Event: 6-9 pm
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-7 pm
Volunteers Needed: 6
Lead Staff: David
Standing
Did you get our owl? Come one, come all to be sorted into your houses in the Great Lobby. Return home to the magic of Hogwarts where you’ll enjoy a catered buffet dinner, butter beer straight from the Three Broomsticks, and a screening on the Giant Screen Theater of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”. You’ll have splendid fun and taking home a souvenir photograph, house scarf, wand. Guests will be pleased to note that we’re following all Ministry regulations regarding House Elves, who are paid as equals to the witches and wizards.
Ghosts not guaranteed, and please remember to wear your robes as we’ve cast the appropriate charms to ward off muggles.
Volunteers will assist staff with the event, with activities, bartending, etc.
Special Event
Return to Hogwarts: Dinner & A Movie – Saturday, November 17
Event: 6-9 pm
Volunteer Shift: 5:30-7 pm
Volunteers Needed: 6
Lead Staff: David
Standing
Did you get our owl? Come one, come all to be sorted into your houses in the Great Lobby. Return home to the magic of Hogwarts where you’ll enjoy a catered buffet dinner, butter beer straight from the Three Broomsticks, and a screening on the Giant Screen Theater of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”. You’ll have splendid fun and taking home a souvenir photograph, house scarf, wand. Guests will be pleased to note that we’re following all Ministry regulations regarding House Elves, who are paid as equals to the witches and wizards.
Ghosts not guaranteed, and please remember to wear your robes as we’ve cast the appropriate charms to ward off muggles.
Volunteers will assist staff with the event, with activities, bartending, etc.
Museum Day Camp Volunteer - FILLED
November 21 | Thanksgiving Break | Drama Camp with Peoria Players Theater
Volunteer Shift- 8 am-4 pm with a lunch break
Volunteers Needed: 1-2
Volunteer would likely be moving around to help assist the teacher and help the students.
Short Event description- Day Camps are for children aged kindergarten through 6th grade. Camps are educational and fun! The camps are taught by local teachers or museum educators. The kids will learn about a topic in a classroom like setting and either go see a Giant Screen Theater Movie or go to the Planetarium during the day too.
Special Event
Holiday Luncheon - Monday, December 4
Volunteer shift: varies
Event: 11:00-1:00
Lead Staff Member: Shelly
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 (10 am-11:45 am)
• Host the Giving Tree (10 am-11:45 am)
• Assist with silent auction (10 am-1 pm)
• Assist with registration (10 am-11:30 am)
• Check Out (12:30 pm-1:30 pm)
• Programs (10 am-11:30 am)
• Coat Check (10 am-11:30 am/12:45 pm-1:30 pm)
The role of the Museum Membership Ambassadors is to help promote and support PRM membership. Must be a current member of the Museum, an active member of our Museum community, and willing to volunteer time and talent to promote the mission, vision and values of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Volunteers in this position must posses a desire to promote Museum membership to fellow members, visitors, and the public. Duties include welcoming and greeting Museum patrons at a variety of functions including but not limited to: GST member previews, movie screenings, exhibit opening weekends, busy museum days (school holidays), and other special events. Volunteers will promote Museum membership at said events and functions and remain generally knowledgeable about Museum programs. Office duties may include calling new members for surveys, thanking them for membership, etc. Volunteers will also represent the Museum at events in the community where there is value in sharing information about the Museum and membership.
Please contact Membership Coordinator, Shelly Kerker at skerker@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org or 309.863.3042 for more information.
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 Shelley Fritz, 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 Shelley Fritz, 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 Shelley Fritz, 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 Shelley Fritz, 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!
