Help us change lives through art.
Current volunteers, login here.
Sign up for our next Volunteer Training Event!
We are currently looking for people of all ages to help in Guest Services, the gift shop, and Martin ArtQuest. Volunteers enjoy FREE access to all Frist exhibitions, free parking, discounts in the gift shop, and more! It’s a wonderful way to meet new people and support the arts.
Each year, hundreds of volunteers of all abilities inspire people to look at their world in new ways. When you contribute your time and skills to the Frist Art Museum, you not only support the arts in our community, but also get to meet interesting people (like you!).
The Frist Art Museum is certified in Excellence in Volunteer Engagement (EVE), which recognizes nonprofits with high-quality volunteer management practices.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, including those for individuals who require reasonable accommodations, please contact our Guest Services Director at volunteer@FristArtMuseum.org or 615.744.3329.
Won’t you consider becoming part of our team? CLICK HERE to learn more about our program.
Volunteer at the Frist!
To see a current listing of volunteer opportunities, please click here.
Before submitting an application, please review the Frequently Asked Questions page to make sure our program is right for you. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee your acceptance into the program. Volunteers will be selected based on availability, level of commitment, and the needs of the Frist Art Museum. All volunteers must pass a background check. If you are accepted into the program, we will contact you when we schedule the next training session.
Questions? Contact our Guest Services Director at volunteer@FristArtMuseum.org or 615.744.3329.
Volunteer Profile
Candace Roy
1. Why did you want to volunteer at the Frist?
I am a fan of the Frist and a budding art lover. I was drawn to the idea of contributing to a such a special place that encourages learning and reflection.
2. What has been your favorite exhibition so far?
I’ve experienced so many wonderful exhibits here, but my favorite as a volunteer has been Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories. People were happy to lean in and share their own family histories. I had many conversations with guests about quilting, which meant so much to me personally. My late grandmother quilted for decades. The quilts displayed were incredible, but the patience, care, craftsmanship and love that is put into many quilts feels universal. The exhibit really resonated with visitors.
3. What does volunteering at the Frist mean to you?
Volunteering here is a way to support and connect the community through art. It’s about helping create an environment where visitors feel welcomed and inspired. Being even a small part of that is incredibly meaningful to me.
Mary Lynn LaSure
1. Why did you want to volunteer at the Frist?
I knew during my first visit that I wanted to volunteer. From the beauty of the architecture, the positive energy and welcoming spirit of staff and volunteers, to the impressive exhibitions, and the informative architectural tour. I immediately became a member, and then submitted a volunteer application. As a former Art Program Coordinator and Docent in Arizona, I knew I would be surrounded by like-minded people where I could build connections, share knowledge and deepen my art appreciation, and develop a sense of purpose within our community. It’s exciting to be surrounded by ever-changing original works of art by both renowned and emerging artists, and share information with our visitors!
2. What has been your favorite exhibition so far?
It’s impossible to identify one favorite exhibition. The first exhibition I saw when I moved to Nashville in 2017 was Secrets of Buddhist Art, and I loved experiencing the ritual of the Tibetan sand mandala. Nick Cave FEAT including his incredible performance at the Schermerhorn, Chaos and Awe, Monsters & Myths, Hearts of Our People, RendezVous: Alexander McQueen and Ann Ray, Jeffrey Gibson The Body Electric, On the Horizon, Multiplicity, Raqib Shaw Ballads of East and West, and Matthew Ritchie A Garden in the Flood to name just a few notable ones.
3. What does volunteering at the Frist mean to you?
- I enjoy helping to make the Frist a welcoming place for visitors, and their visit a memorable experience. It’s inspiring to experience a shared love of art with people from all over the world and all walks of life.
- I am helping to support the Frist’s vision “to inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways.”
- For my own personal growth, continuous learning, and sense of fulfillment.
- It’s therapeutic to be in a calming atmosphere surrounded by beauty, and having positive interactions with the art, visitors, staff, and fellow volunteers.
Since before we opened our doors in 2001, volunteers from throughout the Nashville community have been an important part of helping us fulfill the Frist Art Museum’s mission and vision.
In a typical year, more than 300 volunteers provide more than 25,000 hours of service to the Frist Art Museum. Docents lead more than 15,000 visitors on tours, Guest Services volunteers welcome over 200,000 people into our exhibition galleries, and ArtQuest volunteers assist over 110,000 children and families in the Martin ArtQuest Gallery.
