volunteer programs
Promoting Volunteer Service and Support
Funding for the Museums exhibitions and program activities is augmented through private donations and funds. Private funneling and program development support is made possible through Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, which provides volunteer support, and raises restricted and unrestricted funds for the Museum.
The California African American Museum’s volunteer program began in December of 1982. One component of the volunteer program is councils, of which there are four: the Service Council, the Arts Council, the History Council and the Docent Council. Volunteer councils assist curators, help promote the Museum and its projects and help to implement special events. Each of the four Councils has a different function: therefore, volunteers may choose to serve on more than one Council. Volunteer councils at the California African American Museum encourage camaraderie among members, and improved working relationships among Museum departments, employees, and the community-at-large. CAAM currently has over 50 active volunteers.
Volunteer Councils
The Service Council
Assuming a multi-faceted role, the Service Council assists Museum staff with administrative needs and gallery support, stages social programs that encourage and reward volunteerism, provides community outreach, hosts museum special events, and sponsors fundraising events. Meetings are held monthly on the fourth Saturday. For inquiries, contact Woody Schofield 213-744-2066 or Brenda Tyson 213-744-7498.
The Arts Council
Recognizing the importance of the growth and development of the Museum’s collection of African American art, the Arts Council places special emphasis on the creation and implementation of fundraisers to facilitate the acquisition of art relevant to the collection. It may also sponsor events to realize the financial goals of the Museum. It does, however, also see as its role to support staff by researching the background and history of exhibits, developing resource files of artist biographies, arts organizations and art exhibitions, local and national. Meetings are held monthly on the third Saturday. For inquiries, contact Charmaine Jefferson 213-744-7432.
The History Council
The History Council’s focus is to research and document African American history and culture. Through a wide range of tasks and activities, including sponsorship and recommendations for lectures, seminars, other events and the identification of potential exhibits, this council encourage a better understanding of and appreciation for African American accomplishments in diverse disciplines. Often when called upon, they act as speakers for schools, churches and other community groups. Meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday. For inquiries, contact Christopher Jimenez y West 213-744-7426.
The Docent Council
Docents lead tours of the California African American Museum’s permanent collection and originated exhibitions, as well as traveling shows. Docents assist visitors at the Information Desk and in the Museum’s educations spaces, lead gallery games and tell stories to families to school tours that relate to the Museum’s works of art and historical exhibits. They also assist in the training of new docents, design their own educational activities and broaden the visitors experience at receptions and special events. Meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday. For inquiries, contact Sonia Brown 213-744-2133 or Evelyn Carter 213-744-7536.
Join the Docent Team!
The California African American Museum needs energetic, enthusiastic individuals to lead tours of its exhibitions. Docents should possess good interpersonal and communicative skills as well as be able to interact with diverse audiences. An interest and commitment to African and African American art, history and culture are of prime importance. Good company, good friends, good times, a lively crew! For inquiries on training schedule contact Sonia Brown at 213-744-2133.