Thank you for your interest in becoming an Access Guide volunteer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA)!

Access Guides help ensure the Museum is accessible and engaging for visitors of all abilities. Through meaningful experiences with art, they foster inclusion and support a welcoming environment for all.

Role Description

Access Guide volunteers lead customized, interactive group tours that foster accessibility, engagement, and connection through art for adults and children with a wide range of disabilities and access needs. Using a flexible, visitor-centered approach, they tailor each tour to the interests and needs of the group, encouraging conversation, close looking, and shared experiences. Through meaningful interactions with art and one another, participants build connections and deepen their engagement with the Museum. Visitors served include people with memory loss or cognitive disabilities, people who are blind or have low vision, veterans, and visitors who are neurodivergent.

In addition to regularly scheduled in-person tours, a limited number of tours are offered virtually via Zoom. Additional opportunities may occur during evening and weekend programming.

Access Guides are:

• Dedicated to the MFA’s mission and passionate about creating accessible and inclusive experiences for all visitors.
• Friendly and outgoing team players.
• Attentive listeners.
• Flexible problem solvers who adapt to visitor and group needs.
• Compassionate, caring, and culturally responsive.
• Thoughtful and collaborative.
• Eager to make a difference and create meaningful experiences through art and connection.

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• This role requires a one-year commitment with participation in at least two to three tours per month. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer seasonal opportunities for this volunteer role.
• Applicants must have an active e-mail address and be comfortable communicating and managing schedules online.
• Applicants must participate in required online and on-site volunteer training sessions, including Museum orientation, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) training, safety procedures, and role-specific training.
• Applicants must be able to move freely and independently through the Museum for long periods of time.
• Applicants must be committed to the Museum’s core values of care, inclusion, excellence, curiosity, service, and shared accountability.

Touring Schedule

• Volunteers should expect to participate in at least two to three tours per month.
• In-person group tours are generally available Monday through Thursday.
  • Mondays: 10:30 am
  • Tuesdays: 10:30 am and 11:30 am
  • Wednesdays: 10:30 am
  • Thursdays: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 2:30 pm
• A limited number of in-person tours take place Thursday and Friday evenings and on weekends.
• A limited number of tours are offered virtually over Zoom.

Benefits of Volunteering at the MFA

• Participation in an exciting and dynamic environment
• The opportunity to support the MFA in creating a community where all belong
• Friendship and connection with like-minded supporters
• Discounts on MFA dining, shopping, and public programs
• Admission to select greater Boston cultural institutions

Learn More

To learn more about this role, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form. Once we’ve reviewed your submission, a member of our team will share additional information and next steps.

Thank you again for you interest in volunteering at the MFA!