The Council of VMFA 

Volunteers Dedicated to the
Art of Making A Difference

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Volunteer Groups

The Council of VMFA volunteers contribute their time and energy in many ways to support the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Click on an entry below to learn more about what volunteers do and to see photos of volunteers in action.

To join the Council of VMFA, click the Join tab above.

Special Committees

    Council Membership Enrichment Programs

    • Create, plan, and manage a variety of enrichment, learning and social opportunities for Council members. They include Connect & Learn programs at VMFA, Artistic Site Visits in town, Out of Town Day Trips, Lectures, Book Chats and other events

    Council Operations

    • Membership
      • Recruitment
        • Enthusiastic group of Council members who develop and implement new member recruitment campaigns and events for the Council. Works with all Council members to recruit new members for the Council.
      • Registration and Renewals
        • Processes all incoming applications for Council membership. Invoices, collects and records Council membership dues. Maintains records of Council members’ status and information. Works closely with Recruitment and New Member Orientation Committee.
      • Museum History Guides

        • Conduct Museum History and Galleries tours exclusively for Council members and VMFA staff to educate and familiarize Council members and staff with the history of the VMFA, the VMFA campus, and the location of and general content of each of the galleries

      • New Member Orientation
        • Plans and implements welcome event(s) for new Council members. Acts as hosts for the new member events designed to meet, greet, and educate council members who have recently joined our organization.
    • Publications
      • Council Connections
        • Volunteer as a writer, reporter or editor of Council Connections, The Council’s online magazine of news and information about Council ac vi es and upcoming events as well as news about VMFA.
      • Print Media
      • Photography
    • Technology
      • Technology Management and Website
        • Manage and support information technology tools used by The Council. Applications supported include Event Management, Membership, Website, Volunteer Logistics, and Zoom. Emphasis on working with other Council groups to support all phases of volunteer activities.
      • VicNet by Volgistics

    Council Services to VMFA

    • Visitor Services
      • Atrium Ambassadors
      • Entrance Ambassadors
      • Event Ambassadors
      • School Group Ambassadors
        • Welcome students and educators, introduce them to their assigned Tour Guide, and/or direct them to galleries.
    • Conservation and Collections
    • Floral Arranging
      • Hirschler Flowers
        • Design and assemble a large floral arrangement for the Atrium once a week
      • Fleur de Loo
        • Place new floral arrangements and remove older ones in designated museum public restrooms
    • Library
      • Man the reference desk to answer basic questions and render assistance. There are also occasional opportunities to work on special projects with the librarians. No volunteers are needed at the present time.
    • Membership Assistants
      • Make courtesy and stewardship calls to new and renewing VMFA members on a weekly basis in The Council office in the Pauley Center. Introduce yourselves as members of The Council, volunteers for the Museum. Promote joining The Council when appropriate.
    • Sculpture Garden Volunteers
      • Assist the VMFA staff horticulture team as needed on the outdoor campus of VMFA, e.g. planting, weeding, bed preparation, etc.
    • VMFA Shop Sales Floor

    • Youth and Family Program Assistants
      • Assist with materials, art activities, and logistics for programs


    For more information, contact Sherrill Smith, Director of Council Service to VMFA,

    Search The Council of VMFA website:

    The Council of VMFA

    200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard

    Richmond, VA 23220

    +1 804-340-1591 / info@vmfacouncil.org

    Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts website.

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