Collaboration with local organizations is key to building partnerships within the community.
Thanks to those listed below, our education and interpretation efforts have been made stronger.
Collaborators on exhibits have included:
- Kentucky Military Institute Alumni Association
- Venice Centre Mall
- Southwest Florida Fossil Society
- Manasota Fossil Club
- Dick and Julia Hyman
- Venice Area Beautification, Inc.
- Venice Heritage, Inc.
- Local interior designers (Designer Holiday Showcase 2013, 2012)
- Manatee County Public Library
- Historic Spanish Point
- Sarasota County Historical Resources
- Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church
Offsite programs (2014 education pilot programs) in collaboration with:
- Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
- Eagle Point Community
- Historic Spanish Point
- Laurel Civic Association
- Southwest Florida History Festival
- Venice Area Historical Society
- Venice-Nokomis Woman’s Club
Onsite programs:
- Classroom on Wheels (65+) tours
- Fossil Fest (April 2014, in conjunction with exhibit Digging Up Discoveries: Southwest Florida Fossils)
VOLUNTEER
Join a friendly and diverse team of 20+ volunteers who dedicate over 2,000 combined hours of service each year. Volunteer opportunities fall under three categories: administrative, outreach, and collections. The skills, interests, and abilities of volunteers are matched with opportunities available at the museum year-round. Assignments begin once orientations and trainings are completed. CALL THE MUSEUM AT (941) 486-2487 TO ASK APPLY!
ADMINISTRATIVE
Front desk receptionist/Docent
Duties and Responsibilities: greet visitors; provide tours; ensure museum is ready to receive the public; track demographic information; phone reception; gift shop sales; restock brochures; check mailbox; email; cashbox log; assist visitors with filling out forms; provide clerical assistance to staff when requested; ensure public areas are clean and safe
Qualifications: knowledge of Word, Outlook email, and PastPerfect (training provided for email and PastPerfect); comfortable interacting with public; excellent communication skills; knowledge of local history a plus
Commitment: at least one 3.25-hour shift per week (M-W; some Saturdays)
Weekday shift options: 9:45 AM – 1:00 PM
12:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Bookkeeper
Duties & Responsibilities: complete bookkeeping tasks related to money generated from donations and gift shop sales; prepare deposit slips for the City of Venice (COV) and Venice Heritage, Inc. (VHI)
Qualifications: basic bookkeeping skills; knowledge of Word, Excel, and PastPerfect (training provided for PastPerfect)
Commitment: hours as needed once per week
OUTREACH
Special Event Assistant
Duties & Responsibilities: assist Administrative Coordinator in coordination of events, including the procurement of food, beverages, and serving supplies; implementation, food service, and clean up; write thank you notes/emails to all sponsors and participating event volunteers
Qualifications: excellent people skills; ability to communicate effectively; work outside; stand for periods of time
Commitment: as needed (typically 4-5 times per year)
Event Set Up
Duties & Responsibilities: onsite event set up of tents, tables, and materials, etc.
Qualifications: ability to perform light manual labor
Commitment: as needed (typically 4-5 times per year for 2 hrs.)
Photographer
Duties & Responsibilities: photograph VMA events
Qualifications: good eye for catching the moment; ability to use a camera or other photographic device
Commitment: as needed (typically 4-5 times per year for 2 hrs.)
Museum Ambassador
Duties and Responsibilities: represent the VMA at festivals, fairs, and other offsite events; event setup; public engagement; post-event wrap up
Qualifications: Excellent communications skills; outgoing and affable; knowledgeable of VMA programs and Museum in general
Commitment: as needed (typically 4-6 times per year)
COLLECTIONS
Collections Assistant
Duties & Responsibilities: assist the Curator with collections-related tasks, such as object photography, scanning, inventorying, and cataloging in PastPerfect; assist with filing of paper records for donations
Qualifications: attention to detail; knowledge of PastPerfect (training provided for PastPerfect); photography skills a plus
Commitment: at least one 4-hour shift per week
Researcher
Duties and Responsibilities: assists the Curator with research requests submitted by the public, media, staff, etc.; helps staff the Dale Laning and Julia Cousins Laning Archives & Research Center; does independent research, and assists onsite researchers with accessing the collections
Qualifications: attention to detail; previous research skills a plus; knowledge of Outlook email; ability to communicate well in writing; knowledge of local history a plus; knowledge of PastPerfect (training provided for PastPerfect); working with the public
Commitment: at least one 4-hour shift per week during season (Sep-Apr); as needed during off-season (May-Aug)
Digital Media Assistant
Duties and Responsibilities: assist the Curator in tracking and/or completing image requests, including digital enhancement of photos, photo printing, CD/DVD burning, and/or emailing of photos to requester
Qualifications: knowledge of Outlook email and PastPerfect (training provided for PastPerfect); knowledge of Photoshop a plus; experience in digitizing media
Commitment: as needed (typically a 4-hour shift twice a month during season)