The Department of Museum Volunteers (DMV) provides several ways you can volunteer both front-of-house and behind the scenes, as well as through our travel committees. Learn more about each committee below.
Visitor Guides
You’ll find Visitor Guide volunteers at the Plan Your Visit desk in the entrance to ROM! They help visitors plan their day, including providing maps in several languages, information about the Museum, its collections, and special exhibitions, and promoting ROM and DMV activities.
New volunteers are encouraged to join the Visitor Guides to learn about what’s happening at ROM and master their knowledge of how to get around the Museum. A short training session will be provided.
Visitor Wayfinders
Need help finding the mummies? Confused as to which elevator to take? The Visitor Wayfinders are essential in helping guide visitors around ROM. Watch for their ROM lanyards and information badges and feel free to approach them with your questions.
New volunteers are also encouraged to join the Visitor Wayfinders to master their communication and interpersonal skills as well as their knowledge of the Museum’s layout. A short training session will be provided.
Gallery Interpreters
Interested in learning about ROM’s collections? The Gallery Interpreters provide an interactive experience to visitors, enhancing and enriching their enjoyment of ROM. Find them in the gallery and general Museum spaces wearing their red jackets and vests.
Gallery Interpreters use hands-on objects (either real or reproductions) to engage with visitors in a Q&A format to relate the objects to stories and themes in the Museum. Training will be provided.
Docents
To enhance the visitor experience, Docents provide tours of ROM’s permanent collections as well as special exhibitions. To learn about upcoming tours, visit the Tours page.
Docents have an extensive knowledge of ROM’s history and permanent collections and offer 45-minute tours that sample the entire Museum as well as specific galleries or themes. They also offer private group tours and tours for persons with special needs.
Please note: Volunteers must have at least 1 year of experience in the DMV to be eligible to apply for training. Extensive training sessions will be provided.
Guides du ROM
Daily 45-minute tours are also offered in French by the Guides du ROM. This team of tour guides are fluent in French and offer tours of Museum highlights, specific galleries, and themes, as well as special exhibitions. To learn about upcoming French tours, visit the Tours page.
Please note: Volunteers must be fluent (speaking, reading, and writing proficiency) in French before applying. Training on becoming a Guides will be provided.
ROMForYou
ROMForYou develop and deliver presentations to both adult and children’s groups outside of ROM. Their mission is to bring the Museum to communities around Toronto and the GTA. Volunteers develop presentations, prepare scripts, and create physical programming (ex. crafts for children). Presentations are provided either in-person or online.
Join ROMForYou for an opportunity to share ROM’s collections and stories with the public. Training will be provided.
ROMWalks
Want to learn more about historic Toronto neighbourhoods? ROMWalks offers free and paid historical, artistic, and architectural tours between May and September rain or shine! Learn about their 2023 schedule.
Please note: New volunteers must be comfortable with public speaking and be able to lead a 2-hour walk. Join this amazing team of volunteers today, training will be provided.
ROMBus
ROMBus volunteers produce and deliver day trips around Toronto and the GTA to places and communities of cultural and historical interest, such as the Toronto Islands and Murals of Islington. Learn about their 2023 trips.
These bus trips are led by a special guide, including ROM and University of Toronto experts, and include a lunch. Join ROMBus today! Training will be provided.
ROMTravel
Interested in travelling the world? The ROMTravel team of volunteers plan and arrange international trips in coordination with travel agencies. Learn about their upcoming 2023 and 2024 trips.
Join ROMTravel for a chance at planning these amazing trips. Training will be provided.
Reception
Receptionists in the DMV volunteer centre play an important role in supporting and assisting volunteers, staff, and members of the public. They respond to telephone inquiries, perform office duties, and maintain the centre and library.
We encourage new volunteers to join this amazing team, as it is a great opportunity to meet other DMV volunteers and staff. Training will be provided.
Behind-the-Scenes
The DMV has many behind-the-scenes committees, including:
- Volunteer Records
- Treasury
- Social Committee
- Communications
- System Services
- Newsletter
- Awards
To learn more about ROM volunteer opportunities, please email us at dmvmembership@rom.on.ca and we'll respond within 5-10 business days.