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.

Information about closing

19 March 2020

Unfortunately, due to the continuing development of the Coronavirus situation, The Bowes Museum is now closed until further notice. The health and wellbeing of both our customers and our staff is our priority.

Where events can be rescheduled we will endeavour to do so but please be assured that all ticket holders for cancelled events have options on refunds and can contact info@thebowesmuseum.org.uk, however by not requesting a refund you would be making an exceptionally generous and much appreciated charitable donation to The Bowes Museum during these unprecedented times.

Whilst the Museum is closed, we will be working on other ways of sharing our story and collection via our digital platforms. Stay posted for online videos, conversations and more.

We thank you for your patience and your continued support for The Bowes Museum during this unpredictable time. We hope to come back to you with a reopening date shortly, for now, please stay safe and help protect the vulnerable.

25 March 2020

It is with great sadness that The Bowes Museum has taken the decision to temporarily close all gates to the grounds following a spate of vandalism around the parkland.

Since the Museum closed on Wednesday 18 March the benches in the story area have been damaged, the totem pole pulled over and broken, there have been attempts to pull out outdoor trail markers and branches have been pulled down and plants uprooted.

The Museum is working with the police to find the perpetrators of these actions. PC Michael Banks of Durham Constabulary said "This is a shameful piece of criminal damage within the grounds of a historical location in Barnard Castle anyone with information please contact Durham Constabulary quoting reference number DHM23032020-0189"

The Director of The Bowes Museum, Adrian Jenkins, said: "It is a shame that the actions of a few will have an impact on many but this closure also ties in with the latest government advice to stay at home to help restrict the spread of coronavirus and the Museum is following in the footsteps of other organisations who have closed gated parks and gardens.

There are tips from our education officer on the Museum's social media platforms for keeping the kids, and yourselves, entertained while in isolation and we'll be updating the website regularly with new and exciting information about the collection.

In the meantime, please keep safe and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum and grounds when it reopens."

You can keep up to date with developments here or on our Facebook and Twitter.

We’ll be back…

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