Our volunteer team provides invaluable support across the gallery from invigilation of exhibitions to ushering for the Sky Room Cinema and events programme and much more.
Our Volunteers are the friendly and informative face of MK Gallery. Our team welcome visitors: engage people in conversation to enable deeper understanding of the exhibitions and programmes and collect visitor feedback, ensuring that MK Gallery is able to deliver world-class cultural experiences.
We are recruiting!
We are currently recruiting new volunteers aged 18 + to support our front of house team. If you are interested in this fill out an application form.
Also we are recruiting for Family volunteering where a young person aged 14-18 can volunteer with a parent or carer. Contact Volunteer@mkgallery.org for more details.
What's involved?
We have volunteer opportunities available supporting; exhibitions, our front of house team, workshops and events.
You can give as much or as little time as you are able.
Why get involved?
Become a valued member of a team of volunteers and professionals who are passionate about delivering a world-class arts programme in the heart of Milton Keynes.
- Develop new skills or build upon existing customer service and communication skills.
- Gain experience volunteering in a gallery environment and learn about how we run our exhibitions and events.
- Be invited to private exhibition tours with artists and curators prior to opening new exhibitions.
- Enjoy a 20% discount off of food and beverages at the MK Gallery Café Bar.
How to get involved
If you are interested in volunteering with MK Gallery, log in and complete our application form. On the form you will need to give contact details for two referees. Once complete you will then be contacted to arrange a meeting with our Volunteer Coordinator.
Whether you are a long-term regular volunteer or if you fancy dipping in or out you will be made very welcome in the MK Gallery team.
I would like to volunteer
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MK Gallery Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteer Gallery Assistant
GALLERY ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Gallery Assistants are a vital part of the team. You will be warm and friendly, interested in the arts, the work of MK Gallery and keen to share knowledge and interest with our visitors. You will play an important part in shaping the visitor experience we provide, whilst watching over the safety of artworks and visitors. Opportunities are available Tuesday-Sunday during exhibitions.
We ask you to bring your own skills and experience to the role. Whatever they may be. You do not need to be an expert, just interested and keen to interact with the public.
Use your intuition to see if a visitor needs help or needs to be left alone, we will leave it to you to decide. You are welcome to do your own research of the artworks on display, but notes will also be provided.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
- Provide a warm welcome to all visitors
- Check tickets on entry
- Engage visitors in sharing knowledge about the exhibitions and our wider programme
- Invigilate in the galleries to help ensure the safety and security of visitors and the artworks on display
- Help us reinforce exhibition specific guidelines e.g. no flash photography
- Be vigilant and report anything that doesn’t feel right to a member of staff
- Maintain contact with the Front of House team
- In the event of an emergency support the Fire Marshalls with evacuation of the building, by communicating to visitors where the nearest exit is.
- Share our access tools such as the large print guide, sensory resources and Bloomberg Connects app with visitors to enhance their experience
- Also offer information about other tours the gallery offers visitors.
- If you get asked any questions you cannot answer direct the visitor to the Front of House team or the House Manager.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
- Become a valued member of our team of volunteers and professionals who are passionate about delivering a world-class arts programme.
- Develop or build existing customer service and communication skills.
- Gain experience volunteering in a gallery environment and learn about how we run our exhibitions and events.
- Be invited to private exhibition tours with artists and curators prior to new exhibitions opening.
- Enjoy a 20% discount off food and beverages at the MK Gallery Café Bar.
Sky Room Cinema & Event Usher
CINEMA AND EVENT USHER
Are you a people person who enjoys independent cinema or the buzz of a live event? If so why not join our friendly team of event ushers who play an integral role at MK Gallery by welcoming and orienting visitors at our cinema screenings and live events.
In collaboration with Curzon Cinemas, we present a curated selection of arthouse films, event cinema, family classics, and timeless movies to our local community.
Most events take place in The Sky Room auditorium which offers stunning views over Campbell Park and beyond while bringing the best contemporary film, music, performance, thought provoking lectures and a range of comedy nights to the city centre.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
- Welcome guests to the event space, check tickets, guide visitors to their seats
- You are welcome to maintain up to date knowledge of our events programme to answer visitor enquiries.
- Help set up, pack away and tidy up after events and activities
- At quieter moments make a difference to a visitor’s experience by asking them what they thought of the show or by recommending upcoming events.
- Manage difficult situations such as complaints and late arrivals, helping reinforce compliance with film classification guidance, liaising with the Front of House team as necessary.
- If there is a technical breakdown during the event you will need to contact a member of staff and reassure the audience that help is coming.
- In the event of an emergency support the Fire Marshall with evacuation of the building.
Ensure that health and safety is maintained at all times
WHY GET INVOLVED?
- Become a valued member of a team of volunteers and professionals who are passionate about delivering a world-class arts programme.
- Develop or build existing customer service and communication skills.
- Gain experience volunteering in a gallery environment and learn about how we run our exhibitions and events.
- Enjoy a 20% discount off food and beverages at the MK Gallery Café Bar.
Family Volunteering at Weekends
FAMILY VOLUNTEERING
We offer the opportunity for a parent or carer to volunteer with their young person aged 14-18, this could been on a weekend, for evening cinema or during school holidays. You will have the opportunity to contribute, have fun, and learn as a family.
This could involve volunteering in the gallery spaces as Volunteer Gallery Assistants or ushering on our family film programme as Volunteer Event Ushers.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
As Gallery Assistant Volunteers or Event Ushers at weekends, you will be warm and friendly and keen to learn. Our volunteers are interested in the arts and the work of MK Gallery and happy to share knowledge and interest with our visitors. You will play an important part in shaping the visitor experience we provide.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
- Become a valued member of our weekend team of volunteers and professionals who are passionate about delivering a world-class arts programme.
- Develop or build existing customer service and communication skills.
- Gain experience volunteering in a gallery environment and learn about how we run our exhibitions and events.
- Be invited to private exhibition tours with artists and curators prior to opening new exhibitions.
- Enjoy a 20% discount off food and beverages at the MK Gallery Café Bar.
