What is the Project?

Leeds Art Gallery is very proud to run The Picture Library, a popular and unique art lending scheme that allows members to spend up to one year with original artworks from our collection. We organise four Selection Weekend events a year (from Thursday to Sunday, 11-2pm) where our members can borrow or swap their artworks.

This role will involve assisting at our Selection Weekends to ensure the events run smoothly and members are supported throughout. Volunteers are a key aspect to the success of the Picture Library, making both volunteers and members alike feel part of a large family and taking up a variety of roles. They welcome visitors, assist with issuing and returning artworks, help with new members joining up, support members choosing artworks, etc.

What’s in it for you?

Meet and speak about art with other art lovers

Gain experience of helping at art gallery events

Develop your social and communication skills

Learn how to handle framed artworks

Gain hands-on experience of museum work.

What’s involved?

Attending relevant training and induction

Welcoming members and visitors

Handling and lifting artworks of various sizes safely

Helping with issuing and returning artworks

Helping with bagging and unbagging artworks

Assisting with new members joining the scheme

The role will suit you if you are friendly, enthusiastic and reliable. You should have good communication skills and a keen interest in art. You should also be able to lift and handle framed artworks (on your own if artworks are small or with the help of other volunteer/s if large). Volunteers should be willing to abide by the Council’s code of conduct. 

We are looking for volunteers to be able to offer at least one day from 11am to 2pm over most Selection Weekends across the year.  Our Selection Weekends for the next year are 1^st – 4^th October 2026 then January, April and July 2027.

We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds. If you are shortlisted, please tell us if you require any adjustments to be made to enable you to attend. Access at Leeds Art Gallery | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.  

If you need any help filling in this form, please call 0113 3367840 and ask for the Volunteer and Skills Development Coordinator. 

Location: Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, LS1 3AA

Time commitment: One day a week (11am-2pm), four times a year.

Day: The next dates are: Thursday 1^st, Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October 2026

Duration: One year, 2026-2027

Expenses: Out of pocket travel costs between home and the Gallery will be paid up to the value of £9.00 per day.

Further information contact: Kirsty Young on kirsty.young@leeds.gov.uk

Closing Date: 31^st August 2026

We will be hosting an induction and taster session on Tuesday 15th September 2026. If you are unable to make this, please let us know on your application and we will try to make other arrangements.   

Approximately how many volunteers are we looking for? 5-8 people 

If you are interested, please fill in an online application MyImpactPage - Leeds Museums & Galleries  More details on Leeds Museums and Galleries website About Us- Get Involved.  For help filling in this form, please call 0113 3367840 and ask for the Volunteer and Skills Development Coordinator.

This link takes you to information on How volunteering affects your benefits - overview - Citizens Advice or type this address into your browser -https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/how-volunteering-affects-your-benefits/