Catherine Cartmell presentation

Using volunteers to interpret collections : 

Using volunteers to interpret collections

Slide2: 

In 2006: 348 volunteers carried out 33, 152.5 hours of work. Areas of work: 218 Guides undertook 3482 tours to 16, 941 visitors Education-assisting with workshops, evaluation, creating resources Marketing/evaluation-carrying out visitor surveys, tracking. Advisors-representing communities needs and expectations

Why Involve Volunteers?: 

Why Involve Volunteers?

Slide4: 

Can contribute a range of skills and experience Bring a different perspective Add diversity Have the luxury of focusing on one task Can carry out projects that you have always wanted completed Can improve the quality of activities you offer by supporting paid staff Part of a multi literacy approach to interpretation

Things to think about when involving volunteers: 

Things to think about when involving volunteers Proactive Planning Effective Recruitment Ensuring the volunteers are seen as part of a team Effective Supervision Systems in place to deal with issues that arise.

Saturday Art Club: 

Saturday Art Club Started in September 2005 Target Audience: Families + children 3 – 11yrs Activity Format: Drop in session Average 30-40 children and 15-20 adults per weekend.

How it works: 

How it works Recruitment procedure Training Programme -Introduction to the Saturday Art Club -Child protection -Ice breakers -Typical SAC activity

Successes & Celebrations: 

Successes andamp; Celebrations

“Volunteering has given me a wider understanding of contemporary art and how visitors react to it. I find the children have a fantastic view of the exhibits”: 

'Volunteering has given me a wider understanding of contemporary art and how visitors react to it. I find the children have a fantastic view of the exhibits' Saturday Art Club Volunteer

“It was very satisfying to see families come back each week to do something they enjoyed and could develop new skills. It helped their confidence and mine!”: 

'It was very satisfying to see families come back each week to do something they enjoyed and could develop new skills. It helped their confidence and mine!' Saturday Art Club Volunteer

Issues/Problems and lessons: 

Issues/Problems and lessons High turnover of volunteers Time it takes to get a Disclosure certificate back

Volunteering impact: 

Volunteering impact

“a vital source of live interpretation. Providing a verbal, personal and accessible source of interpretation on a regular basis. Someone visitors can have a two way conversation with about the art, someone who can answer their questions about the art and give them a way into understanding the work. Bridging the gap between Curators / Artists and the general public”.: 

'a vital source of live interpretation. Providing a verbal, personal and accessible source of interpretation on a regular basis. Someone visitors can have a two way conversation with about the art, someone who can answer their questions about the art and give them a way into understanding the work. Bridging the gap between Curators / Artists and the general public'. Alicia Watson, Education andamp; Access Curator Goma

Volunteer Guides: 

Volunteer Guides We currently have 11 volunteer guides and 6 trainee guides. In 2006 the goma guides carried out 120 tours to 346 visitors from 31 different countries.

How it works: 

How it works Recruitment procedure Training programme Requirements of the guides Evaluation

Successes & Celebrations: 

Successes andamp; Celebrations

“Friendly staff. Having two kids under 3 years is difficult but we were made to feel welcome here especially by the guide” “Wonderful guided tour. What a charming lady-so full of information”: 

'Friendly staff. Having two kids under 3 years is difficult but we were made to feel welcome here especially by the guide' 'Wonderful guided tour. What a charming lady-so full of information' Visitor Comments

“I took two Korean visitors to see Graham Fagen Photos-ended up trying to explain sectarianism to them after they asked me to explain the cause and effect of different aspects of Christianity AND the history of the reformation, apart from the usual questions about the exhibits, the building etc!! Needless to say, I had to have a large glass of wine afterwards!”: 

'I took two Korean visitors to see Graham Fagen Photos-ended up trying to explain sectarianism to them after they asked me to explain the cause and effect of different aspects of Christianity AND the history of the reformation, apart from the usual questions about the exhibits, the building etc!! Needless to say, I had to have a large glass of wine afterwards!' Gallery Guide, GOMA

Issues/Problems/Lessons: 

Issues/Problems/Lessons Turnover of Volunteers Need a Strong guide organiser Turnover of exhibitions

Future Issues/Plans: 

Future Issues/Plans

Slide21: 

Signed tours in partnership with Deaf Connections Establishing a learning programme at Kelvingrove

Questions!: 

Questions!

Catherine CartmellVolunteer & Placement Co-ordinatorGlasgow MuseumsGlasgow Museums Resource Centre200 Woodhead RdNitshillGlasgowG53 7NNTel: 0141 276 9381Fax: 0141 276 9305catherine.cartmell@cls.glasgow.gov.uk: 

Catherine Cartmell Volunteer andamp; Placement Co-ordinator Glasgow Museums Glasgow Museums Resource Centre 200 Woodhead Rd Nitshill Glasgow G53 7NN Tel: 0141 276 9381 Fax: 0141 276 9305 catherine.cartmell@cls.glasgow.gov.uk