Volunteer Opportunities
Admission Volunteer
The admission volunteer at the front desk of the Nelson Cultural Center is the first person with whom our visitors come in contact. The admission volunteer works along with the Visitor Services Associate to greet visitors, collects admission fees, provides ASI brochures, and introduces visitors to the museum and exhibits. Admission volunteer may be asked to work on small project like stuffing envelopes or organizing handouts. Must enjoy working with people and feel comfortable handling money, answering the phone, and responding to questions about the mansion and neighborhood.
Staff Supervisor: Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Building and Grounds
Volunteers assist building engineers with landscaping, maintenance projects, or repairs throughout ASI’s facilities. Professional experience in these areas is helpful but not required.
Staff Supervisor: Lead Facilities Technician
Collection & Exhibits
Volunteers assist the curator with creating, maintaining, and removing exhibits. Volunteers also help with acquisitions and maintenance of existing items in the ASI collection. Must be attentive to detail; special training required.
Staff Supervisor: Museum Curator
Education
Volunteers assist with museum tours for students of all ages and visits to local schools. They also help with crafts and activities for family programs at ASI. Must enjoy working with children. Background check required.
Staff Supervisor: Youth and Family Programs Coordinator
Facilitator
Facilitators circulate throughout the mansion, greeting visitors while monitoring exhibits, engaging visitors, sharing information about the mansion, giving directions, and generally helping visitors have a good experience at ASI. Must enjoy working with people, have a desire to learn the history of the mansion and neighborhood, and be willing to track down answers to questions. Training materials will be given at meeting/orientation
Staff Supervisor: Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Museum Shop
Volunteers assist guests with their shopping and purchases. Must enjoy working with people and be adept at handling money. Our shops use a simple computerized touch-screen register.
The Museum Shop offers a collection of merchandise imported from Sweden and other Nordic countries. There are additional opportunities to assist during the holiday season when we open our Swedish Christmas shop.
Staff Supervisor: Store Manager
Special Events
There are frequently opportunities for volunteers to assist staff with planning, preparation, and execution of events and functions. These events include ASI’s annual Midsommar Celebration, Christmas Julmarknad, quarterly ASI forums and more. This volunteer position is on an as-needed basis. Must enjoy working with the public.
Staff Supervisor: Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Tour Facilitator
Tour Facilitator lead both public and private tour groups through the Turnblad Mansion and Nelson Cultural Center sharing information on the Turnblad family, Swedish immigration, Minneapolis and ASI history, and Turnblad Mansion design in an engaging way. Must enjoy working with people and be willing to learn about the house and current guiding techniques. Interest in history and/or architecture helpful. Special training required.
Staff Supervisor: Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Visitor Survey Volunteer
If you have a social side that isn't getting its daily fill, this just may be the role for you! By conducting in-person surveys with ASI guests, our Survey Volunteers provide insight into who our visitors are, and what they want out of the museum. You get to chat with fabulous people; we take the information and use it to improve the ASI's accessibility. Hours for this position are flexible but we request a once monthly commitment.
Staff Supervisor: Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator