Volunteer With Us

Our volunteers work amongst a team of engaging, committed and creative individuals to ensure that the gallery is a welcoming and friendly place. We provide free access to high quality, innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art from around the world, and our volunteers are a key part of that operation.

As an Open Eye Gallery volunteer, you’ll be the first point of contact welcoming visitors to the gallery. You’ll be responsible for greeting visitors, introducing our current exhibition, handling enquiries and taking care of sales through the gallery shop. There will be opportunities to gain skills in your specific areas of interest, such as exhibition research & installations, events, marketing and audience feedback.

We host regular volunteer socials and support volunteers to showcase their own creative work. Check out our volunteer led publication PLATFORM.

Here’s what our volunteers say about their experience:

• Jake: “Open Eye Gallery is a great place to volunteer, it’s a no pressure environment where you can gain key experiences to help with your own creative work, or if preferred just chat with likeminded individuals whilst being around amazing photography work and books!”
• Aditi: “Everyone at the Open Eye Gallery is welcoming and warm, which makes volunteering a lot more fun. I like the level of flexibility and freedom we get, it is like curating your own volunteer experience.”
• Shuai: “I feel very grateful to have met these brilliant staff (friends), enthusiastic visitors and gained a lot of experiences!”
• Hellen: “I started volunteering with Open Eye Gallery two weeks before the first Covid lockdowns … from then and still now, the Open Eye Gallery team are consistently welcoming, helpful and encouraging.”

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete the Application Form online, outlining why you’d like to be part of the Open Eye Gallery team.

Please also complete the anonymous Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.

Please then email Alex (alex@openeye.org.uk) to introduce yourself and confirm that you have completed both forms.

No prior professional experience is necessary, but we are keen to hear from people who:
• Are passionate about photography and art
• Live in the local area
• Align with our core values. Especially, all welcome, always!
• Are looking for a new challenge, to meet new people, to find new skills, and to share their knowledge
and experience with others

We aim to respond within fourteen working days after carefully reviewing your application.

If your application is successful, we’ll invite you for an informal chat and role induction at the gallery, before contacting your references. We will then add you to our call-out list for opportunities or arrange for a regular time for you to volunteer with us.

Please contact the gallery on 0151 236 6768, or email Alex (alex@openeye.org.uk) if you require any support with your application, or if you would prefer an alternative way of applying (e.g. in person).