Volunteer With Us

There are so many ways to volunteer at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles - we are just waiting for you to connect with us!

Are you looking to leverage your skills and grow your positive impact on your community? Our Board is an energized group of passionate community members dedicated to the mission of the arts. The Museum is growing, and we invite you to consider joining our board of directors as we scale our programs and impact.

To learn more about supporting the museum as a board member, please send your resume and a brief statement about why you are interested in joining us to kris@sj-mqt.org.

Not quite ready for a long-term commitment? We also need volunteers to help with:

  • Retail Operations

    • Our Museum Shop is open from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. We are currently looking to fill Thursdays. The main responsibility includes opening/closing the Museum. The shifts can be scheduled to be short and/or overlap with an additional volunteer or it can be a full shift. Someone who enjoys interacting with customers, asking questions and is lively would fit this role. 

  • Collections

    • The Museum has a wonderful collection of quilts led by our strong spirited Collections Volunteers who have been with the museum for years. A few of our volunteers were board members and now act as Collections Volunteers. The team is always happy to welcome new volunteers. Starting 2024 we are focusing on building a new group of volunteers who will learn from our seasoned volunteers who one day will retire. In this role we require commitment and enthusiasm. Our group of volunteers are excited to teach!

  • Community Engagement

    • Starting 2024 we are looking forward to rebuilding our Community Engagement Program and include more classes, workshops, and FREE family events. None of this is possible without a strong volunteer backbone. A few of the events will be on-call with administrative work on the side. Ultimately, we are aiming to start a Youth Program led by volunteers. 

  • Social Craft Circle

    • Our newest program aims to provide a safe space for mental wellness through the art of knitting, crocheting, embroidery and everything in between. The Museum will be having drop-in nights on Thursday of every month from 5:30pm - 7:00pm and depending on demand one Saturday a month. 

  • Docent-led Tours

    • Our Docent Program is an on-call volunteer opportunity. Our newest exhibition will open on February 2. 2024. We would like to welcome 1-2 volunteers who will act as docents for pre-scheduled tours.

Please fill out our Volunteer Intake Form and let us know what you're interested in. One of our friendly staff members will get back to you as soon as possible.