The Bowes Museum > About > Jobs & Volunteering > Voluntary and Placement Opportunities

Make Music at the Museum

The Museum's founders John and Josephine Bowes loved music, and the picture galleries were made for bringing people together to enjoy it. So if you love making music, why not come and share it with our visitors?

We welcome all styles of music and abilities, so whether you’re an individual, band, school or community group, we’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with Rosie for more information and to arrange a time to perform by email> or telephone 01833 694615

Voluntary Opportunities

If you have a keen interest in museums and you have some spare time, you might want to consider volunteering at The Bowes Museum. Volunteers have been working with The Bowes Museum for many years and their skills, experiences and enthusiasm have become a valuable part of the workforce.

In particular, currently we seek volunteers to assist in the following departments: 

Media / Press Relations Department
We are looking for a dedicated and articulate volunteer to support the wide-ranging scope of the team.  Duties will include monitoring and updating various methods used to advertise our exciting exhibitions and events programme and our many Press Releases, cataloguing previous Press Releases, and updating databases.   Good computer skills are highly desirable.   If you are interested in assisting us on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday we look forward to receiving your application.

Education Department
We are looking for someone to assist with the Education department’s programme of schools workshops and family events, as well as the preparation of activities.
Duties could include assisting education staff meeting and greeting schoolchildren, supporting the delivery of schools workshops and helping with craft activities at drop in events and on family fun days (including set up and tidying away after events). We may also have some opportunities for volunteers to prep materials for sessions and complete admin tasks in the Education office.
For more info, please contact education@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or telephone 01833 694602.

Little Treasures
We require a volunteer to support the delivery of the Little Treasures toddler group sessions between 9.45am – 11.45am on Wednesdays (term time only). This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to work with young children (under 5) and their parents/carers in a fun and friendly environment. Weekly duties will include the preparation of snacks, assistance with crafts and helping to tidy the space after the sessions. More information about the Little Treasures group can be found in the Learning section of our website.
For more information or for an application form, please email education@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or call 01833 690 606 ext. 241

Placement Opportunities

If you are interested in or studying towards a career in the arts or working in museums, a placement at The Bowes Museum may be something you would like to consider. We can offer opportunities across a range of departments and will provide support in your career development so that you can develop the relevant skills and knowledge required for your course.

What could you do?
There are many opportunities at The Bowes Museum; here are some of the departments that may be able to offer voluntary opportunities:

  • Library and Archives
  • Fine Art
  • Fashion and Textiles
  • Ceramics
  • Conservation
  • Administration
  • Education
  • Front of House (Reception etc)
  • Volunteer Guide
  • Marketing

How to apply
If you would like to become a volunteer or carry out your placement at The Bowes Museum, you will be required to complete an application pack (consisting of an application form and an equal opportunities monitoring form) so that we can best match your skills and interests to the relevant department. We may not be able to offer all applicants a place immediately; volunteer opportunities are dependent on staff time and availability to supervise and support individuals.

For an application pack please either download one from this page and submit by post or email, or directly contact:
Matthew Innes
Human Resources Officer
The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8NP
Tel: 01833 694610
matthew.innes@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Thank you for considering volunteering at The Bowes Museum and we look forward to hearing from you.

The Bowes Museum grounds are open!

Due to the government announcement on Thursday 17 December, that County Durham is to remain in COVID tier 3 restrictions, The Bowes Museum unfortunately will remain closed to all visitors. However, the grounds remain open to visitors from 10.00 - 4.00 daily, and we are currently hosting a woodland fairy trail, two spring trails and outdoor guided tours are available from 29 March 2021.

As we have already been shut for a number of weeks and there is much uncertainty around possible further restrictions, we have decided to use this period to undertake some work in Café Bowes, alongside performing some much-needed structural repairs to the building, notably to the windows. January and February are usually quieter times for the Museum, often due to severe weather, so we believe that this is the best time to carry out such works with the least amount of disruption to our visitors.

We have therefore decided to remain closed for a period of four weeks following any near-future tier 2 announcement from the government, as this will allow us time to deep clean the Museum prior to reopening our doors once again. We will, of course, keep you updated as the guidelines change.

Your ongoing support during these unprecedented times is hugely appreciated and we very much look forward to welcoming you back into the building as early as possible in 2021.

We hope to be able to offer a few COVID-safe outdoor events over the coming months, about which we shall make further announcements as soon as possible.

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