Volunteer

Volunteering at The Huntington

Volunteering at The Huntington is a great way to learn about plants and culture, meet people with similar interests, and share your knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors! Volunteers are a vital and valued resource at The Huntington.

Are you thinking about becoming a Huntington Volunteer? Did you know...

You don't have to have an art degree, a green thumb, or a background in history.
Huntington volunteers range in age from 14 to 80+.
You'll receive training specific to your volunteer assignment.
Volunteer opportunities are available year-round, both on weekdays and weekends, in a variety of areas.
You can volunteer once a week or once a month.
You'll receive benefits like discounts in the bookstore and cafeteria, early entrance to the grounds, and invitations to special events and parties!

Adult Volunteers

General Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities for Adults

Docents - Docents (volunteer teachers) conduct educational lessons for students and adults in the Huntington and Scott art galleries, in the Library exhibits, and the Gardens. Instruction by the curatorial staff is presented in six to eight weekly sessions. An additional ten to twenty hours of home study is required. After completion of a docent course, a two-year commitment to lead educational lessons at least once a week during the school year, and attending monthly meetings is required.

Botanical Volunteers - Botanical volunteers work in the offices, gardens, and nurseries. Garden volunteers assist the curators with weeding, occasional planting, light trimming, and pruning. They arrange stock, make plant labels, work in the nurseries, and propagate and pot plants for the annual Huntington plant sale.

Special Projects Volunteers - Special projects volunteers take on specific tasks such as addressing invitations, preparing school packet information, or office tasks. No minimum time commitment is required and a wide selection of jobs is available.

Service Volunteers - Service volunteers work throughout the institution in areas such as the Visitors Information Center. Time commitment requirements for Service Volunteers vary, but a two-year commitment to volunteer at The Huntington is required.

For more information on volunteering, contact Mikki Heydorff at mheydorff@huntington.org or 626-405-2126.

How to Apply - Adults

Print and fill out the Adult Volunteer Application Form and mail to:

The Huntington
Attn: Volunteers
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

High School Volunteers

General Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

High School Volunteers work in areas throughout The Huntington supporting staff and a variety of projects. High School Volunteers welcome visitors to the galleries, facilitate demonstrations in the Plant Conservatory, work in the gardens and assist staff and instructors with public programs. Huntington staff provide high school volunteers with an orientation and appropriate training course(s). Volunteers must complete an application, interview, attend all training courses, and be available to volunteer 1 day per week for a minimum of 6 months. Hours of service will vary according to projects.

Conservatory Program
The Conservatory for Botanical Science is nationally recognized for its excellent exhibits. Interactive for both kids and adults, the exhibits offer a unique view into the world of plants.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months. (Training required)

Preparator: The Conservatory Preparator is a reliable individual primarily responsible for preparing the exhibits for visitors prior to public hours. Preparators ensure that visitors get the most out of their Conservatory experience by keeping the exhibits in good working order.

Facilitator: Conservatory Facilitators are people-focused individuals primarily responsible for facilitating visitors’ experiences with informal science education. Facilitators also help to maintain the Conservatory throughout the day, but have a particular focus on helping visitors, including family groups, direct their own explorations of Conservatory exhibits and collections.

Gallery Welcome Center
Welcome Center Volunteers greet and orient visitors, welcome them to the art galleries, and oversee the loan and retrieval of audio guides to visitors. This project is ideal for volunteers who want to interact and speak with the public and familiarize themselves with The Huntington Art Collections.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.
Discovery Carts
Discovery Carts are educational carts that offer interactive and fun activities for children and their families who visit The Huntington. Cart locations include the Desert Garden, Japanese Garden, Lily Ponds and Chinese Garden. High School Volunteers welcome visitors and facilitate the activities on carts.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.

Gardening in the Children’s Garden
Do you have a green thumb? Or, maybe you would like a green thumb? Volunteers learn and assist with the gardening, grooming and maintenance of plants in the Children’s Garden.
Time requirement: minimum 1 shift per week for 6 months.

Public Programs are offered to volunteers after they have started volunteering in one of the above projects.

Public Programs
Public Programs are educational, collection-based classes, workshops, lectures, and performances that are offered to the general public. They acquaint the public with The Huntington’s collections and encourage them to see The Huntington as a place for discovery and life-long learning. Continuing Education Programs serve adults while Youth and Family Programs serve children and families. Time requirement: roughly 2 shifts every 2 months.

For information on the High School Volunteer Program, please contact Mollie Merchant Swaner at mswaner@huntington.org or 626-405-3429.

How to Apply - High School Students ages 14-18

Step 1: Print out and complete the High School Volunteer Application and mail to:

The Huntington
Attn: Mollie Swaner (EDU)
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

New volunteers can join the volunteer program in either April or October. Applications are accepted year round. To be considered for the October 2013 volunteer term, please return your application to the volunteer office no later than August 2, 2013. Sometimes we receive more applications than we have volunteer positions and are unable to accept everyone. Volunteers are accepted based on their availability and potential for personal growth and positive impact.

Step 2: Sign-up for a group interview. All applicants will be contacted by mail to sign up for one of the group interview dates. Interview times are assigned on a first come first serve basis and admission is rolling so we recommend signing up for the first available date.

Step 3: Attend the New Volunteer Welcome & Orientation. All volunteers accepted to the program must attend the New Volunteer Welcome and Orientation in order to volunteer. The Welcome and Orientation will be the morning of Sept. 28, 2013.