The fine art of volunteering is on view nearly every week at the KIA.

Make new friends… exercise your talents… share your gifts with the community… when you volunteer at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. More than 400 volunteers provide more than 6,000 hours of service annually to the KIA.

To learn more, email us, or call 269-585-9297.

Become a Volunteer

Your interests and skills can be valuable to the KIA in a number of areas:

  • Reception Desk: Greet visitors, give directions, answer questions, and provide information about the activities of the KIA.
  • Advancement: Lend a hand with member and fundraising events
  • Marketing: We are always in need of volunteer photographers and those with hours to give on a regular basis.
  • Programs and Events: The KIA hosts a variety of programs and events each month (each week!) and this is our primary and ongoing volunteer need. Tasks are varied — everything from selling drinks, to food preparation, to helping visitors complete art projects.
  • Library: We appreciate help with staffing the desk during open hours, along with cataloging, filing, and circulation of library materials.
  • Gallery Shop: What a beautiful place to put your retail experience to work — or gain some!
  • Docents: Docents are trained guides who lead museum tours for children and adults. Candidate docents complete a 9-month training course before joining the docent corps, which is offered every two years.

Become a Docent

Docents are trained guides who lead museum tours for children, teens, and adults. Candidate docents complete an intensive training course before joining the docent corps. Evening training sessions will be held in-person beginning in September 2022.

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is always looking for volunteers. Whether you’re interested in working in our gallery shop or you’d like to assist at a special event, we would love to hear from you!