Volunteering
Open Eye Gallery has a long established volunteer programme with a growing community focus. 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.
We particularly welcome applications from people based in Liverpool.
Here’s what our volunteers say about their experience:
- Hellen: I started volunteering with Open Eye Gallery two weeks before the first Covid lockdowns when I had just recently moved to Liverpool. From then and still now, the Open Eye Gallery team are consistently welcoming, helpful and encouraging. I have become an even better photographer, with a social practice. Most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to show my work with the other volunteers in PLATFORM and on the digital screen, and have delightfully created 2 photo series that were exhibited as part of the LOOK Climate Lab and Photo Biennial 2022. I’m so grateful because Open Eye Gallery supported me with match funding on projects I produced with an ACE Projects Grant and they are continuing to support my career as a socially engaged photojournalist through mentorship, work opportunities and by linking me with incredible organisations and more experienced photographers that mirror the themes that I want to continue exploring.
- 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!
- Joshua: It’s been fun; especially during the short post-covid period from 2021-early 2022 when times were strange. The gallery usually has something to do while volunteering which is nice but sometimes there are quiet periods. Mostly it’s a genuine experience.
APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERING ARE CURRENTLY PAUSED.
We will continue to accept applications again in the new year – thanks for your patience!
