Volunteering
We love involving volunteers in the work we do and we want to give opportunities to as wide a range of people as possible. We are very keen to represent the local area and aim to embody its diverse and vibrant population throughout our teams, artists and collections.
Volunteers are an invaluable part of our gallery team and get involved for many different reasons; including to gain essential first-hand experience in the industry for future job roles or studies, a love of art, to gain transferrable employability skills, to use existing skills and for social enrichment. You do not need to know lots about art to join us, we only ask for enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in.
We welcome people over the age of 18 from all backgrounds, abilities and career stages and hope to be able to support our volunteers in their aims as much as they support us in ours.
All available volunteer opportunities will be posted on this page, when a position that interests you becomes available please email volunteer@hepworthwakefield.org asking for an application form. Please do get in touch with any questions or accessibility requirements.
“I feel privileged to volunteer in such a fabulous building amongst exciting and ever changing exhibitions. It’s great to be part of a team welcoming and helping visitors, and to be close up to so many amazing works of art”. Current Volunteer
Our roles
Art Gardener – practical garden volunteering opportunity (Currently full)
Support our Cultural Gardener to nurture the planting in our garden and green spaces. Tasks vary with the seasons and include litter-picking, hand-weeding and lawn-edging. It is physical work, including bending and lifting. We hold regular weekly volunteering sessions on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Thursday mornings. Commitment level: Once a week
Gallery Host Volunteers (Currently Full)
Enhance our visitors’ experience by getting involved in our galleries. Proactively interact with visitors, talking about the exhibitions, events and the wider gallery offer. Learn about the Health & Safety and security standards needed during exhibitions. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience within a gallery and learn much more about the exhibitions held at The Hepworth Wakefield.
Commitment level: At least twice a month.
Learning Volunteers (Currently Full)
Support Artists in the delivery of our learning programme for schools and families. Assist with the set up and running of family workshops, school workshops and other learning activities within the gallery. This is a great opportunity to gain experience within an educational setting whilst encouraging the younger generations to engage with the art world.
Commitment level: At least twice a month.
Maintenance Volunteers (Accepting new volunteers)
Assist the Estates Manager and Maintenance Technician with various hands on maintenance tasks throughout the gallery and grounds, including equipment, fittings & fixture checks. You will gain insight into the complex function of a prestigious building as well as experience of liaising with contractors, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety laws and the regimes, timescales of maintaining the high standards expected within a gallery setting.
Commitment level: Once a week on a Monday, 8am – 3pm, flexibility can be discussed.
Events Volunteers (Currently full)
Support the wide range of events run throughout the year, from large-scale events (eg Print Fair), to talks and performances. Help with the set up/take down, support artists, assist visitors and lots more. This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience in event logistics and to see behind the scenes of the events at The Hepworth Wakefield.
Commitment level: Ad hoc dependant on the Events schedule, Monday – Sunday including evenings.
Office Volunteers (Currently full)
We have a variety of volunteer roles based in our office including within the Communication team, the Development team and as an office reception volunteer amongst others. Each role comes with its own experiences, expectations and opportunities to explore. Keep an eye out for any spaces available in the ‘Our current opportunities’ section above.
Commitment level: Varies according to the role.
