Individual opportunities include roles inside the DMA as well as ways to bring art experiences to the Dallas community. General information about each opportunity is listed below.

At the DMA, volunteers play an invaluable role in fulfilling our mission of serving the community through art. Complete the General Interest Volunteer application if you are interested in supporting the DMA's mission through our various volunteer programs listed below.

Guest Services Programs

Guest Services Programs volunteers provide instructional support for setup and maintain studio spaces, hand out printed materials, scan tickets, and answer visitor questions during programs like Late Night at the Museum. Visit the Programs page for more information.

Community Engagement Programs

Community Engagement Programs volunteers support on-site and off-site DMA experiences for diverse audiences of all backgrounds and abilities. Programs take place on weekday afternoons and on weekends and include classes, multi-session workshops, and larger community events. Volunteers will help with art material and supply prep, lead and facilitate programs, and engage with program participants. Visit the Community Programs page for more information.

Family and Early Learning Programs

Family and Early Learning Programs volunteers support classes and events for children ages 0–12 and their caregivers. Programs take place on weekday mornings and weekends and include gallery experiences, story times, art making, sensory play, and performances. Volunteers will help with preparing materials, setting up studio and gallery spaces, and engaging with young visitors and their families. Visit the Family Programs page for more information.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a background check
• Possess a valid driver's license and provide their own transportation to the on-site or off-site programs
• Be available to commit for a minimum of one year and assist with two programs per month, depending on program availability
• Have enthusiasm for interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds
• Bilingual Spanish skills preferred (for specific programs)

New volunteers are required to attend a virtual Volunteer Informational Overview. The New Volunteer Informational Overview sessions generally fall on the last Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. CST and are conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Application: General Interest Volunteer Form

Docents conduct weekly tours of the Museum’s collection and exhibitions for groups of visitors ranging from elementary school students to adult visitors. The knowledge and teaching strategies for conducting tours in the Museum’s galleries are accumulated over a yearlong training program consisting of lectures, gallery talks, and workshops led by staff and outside experts. DMA docents support the Education Division’s mission of facilitating meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a background check
• Provide their own transportation to the DMA
• Spanish-English bilingual skills encouraged
• Attend Monday training sessions throughout the school year (September–May) to continue learning about the Museum’s collection, exhibitions, and best practices in museum education, beginning August 28
• Be able to commit to the program for two years and lead two one-hour tours per week, Tuesday–Friday, throughout the school year, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Plan and lead experience-rich tours primarily for K–12 students, but also for higher education students and adult audiences

Application: Currently Closed

Go van Gogh volunteers lead experiences in Dallas elementary classrooms that encourage students to practice visual literacy and critical thinking by looking closely at works of art and expressing creativity through art-making activities. If you love working with children, have a passion for art, and want to give back to Dallas schools, Go van Gogh is the volunteer program for you!

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a background check
• Must complete DISD screening and volunteer registration
• Possess a valid driver's license and provide their own transportation to the programs
• Previous experience teaching or working with youth strongly recommended
• Attend training sessions in mid-August and early September. First MANDATORY meeting will be Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon
• Be available to commit for a minimum of one year and teach three to four programs per month on weekday mornings at schools across Dallas during the school year, 9:00 a.m. to noon (plus travel time) Tuesday–Thursday

Application: Currently Closed

Arts & Letters Live volunteers support the Museum's widely recognized literary and performing arts series, Arts & Letters Live, by scanning tickets, answering questions, directing visitors, and aiding with book signings. Volunteers receive complimentary parking in the DMA Garage and free admission to the programs that they support.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a background check
• Provide their own transportation to the events
• Be able to volunteer for 3–5 hours per event and stand for long periods
• Be available to support post-event book signings
• Be able to use ticket scanning devices
• Program dates and times vary and will occasionally be located off-site

Application: Currently closed

The DMA Archives needs volunteer assistance with a project to review transcripts of recordings posted on the DMA website. This project entails listening to audio recordings of past lectures and talks from the 1980s to the present and correcting transcripts of the recordings. 

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a background check
• Have access to word processing software and a digital audio player with pause and rewind capabilities
• Be able to correct transcripts of recordings, look up names, locations, terms, and objects for correct spelling, and perform light editing for readability
• Be available to volunteer 3–6 hours per transcript

Application: Currently Closed

Questions about volunteering your time and passion at the DMA? Please contact volunteers@dma.org for more information.