Geelong Gallery needs more volunteers

ONE of Geelong’s most revered and historic establishments is ready for a bounceback year like so many other organisations, but for that to happen it needs to increase the number of its volunteers and has issued a call for applications.

The Geelong Gallery only functions as it is supposed to with the help of its dedicated and committed team of volunteers, according to its visitor services and volunteers manager Ally Deam.

The library admitted in its volunteer callout at the end of 2021 that its past two years have been a challenge but it remained thankful for the efforts made by its 90 volunteers who supported the gallery in that time.

The volunteer program allows participants to work in many different areas, such as invigilation, visitor services support, education and child-focused programs, library and research projects, opening nights and special events.

“We simply could not function without our volunteers,” Ms Deam said.

“The team of volunteers contributes roughly 5,000 hours per year to supporting our exhibitions, including RONE, which is one of our biggest ever exhibitions seeing about 46,000
people attend.

“We have up to 10 people per day coming in to help protect the artwork and enhance visitor experiences.”

Ms Deam said anyone was more than welcome to apply to volunteer at the gallery.

Volunteers in past have ranged from Geelong locals to visitors, people in high school to retirees, or art lovers to people with no artistic experience.

The only commonality among all volunteers is an “appreciation” for the work that is on display at the gallery.

The gallery’s volunteer program provides structured shifts for both weekday and weekend volunteer work, allowing individuals the opportunity to work within the creative space.

For volunteers interested in guiding, the Geelong Gallery supports trainee guides in undertaking a 12-month training program, supported by an experienced guide mentor.

In addition to guided tours, guides are also encouraged to participate in specialised programs including Art+ Memory tours, outreach programs, Learn tours and youth public programs, and guide mentoring.

“Some of the core pillars at the gallery are lifelong learning and engagement, which is a huge part of the program, and we really try to encourage the volunteers to keep learning about the artists in our exhibitions and the city’s history as well,” Ms Deam said.

“We continually try to reflect what is happening in Geelong culturally and it drives everything we do here at the Geelong Gallery.”

Potential volunteers can reach out to the gallery at geelonggallery.org.au/support/volunteering.