BIMA is now open daily 10am-5pm.

A time to reflect

As the museum reopens more fully this spring, and we again sense the pleasure of being a gathering place with art as the centering experience, we are also called to reflect.

We continue to be profoundly grateful for the generosity of our extended community. Through gifts of time, talent and resources, efforts large and small, deep commitment and hard work, and a thousand strokes of luck, BIMA has been able to reopen when many other arts organizations remain shuttered. We are grateful to be here, conscious of our good fortune, and are working to help other organizations back to their feet—reminded every day that we can pay forward this gratitude by fostering connection, healing, challenge, and inspiration through art.

This moment is also one of profound change, marked by unfathomable and continued examples of racial and social injustice, inequity, and violence across the US. BIMA’s response to this inflection point begins with self-inquiry and a commitment to make visible the values that we hold close. With that, we’re working to do and be better, to cultivate and support safe spaces, and to ensure that all voices are heard, valued, and welcomed.

As we lean into this learning, we turn first to the artists who can lead the way for us all. As a museum, we are both privileged and responsible to be the best spotlight, platform, and petri dish that we can, particularly for contemporary artists of the Puget Sound region. In BIMA’s front Beacon window right now hangs “Song for Generations” a particularly relevant piece of work by artist Michelle Kumata, a comment on the legacy of harm related to the Japanese American incarceration. This work captures the complexities of a shameful and wrenching historical trauma within this community and the country while serving as a poignant reminder that racially motivated violence still exists. At BIMA, we are proud to champion and support voices like hers, voices that help keep these issues present in our minds and hearts as a foundation to mitigating harm.

Thank you for joining us at the museum, for immersing yourself in the pleasures and perspectives of the artists we showcase, for sharing the values we hold, for lending a hand as we put our cultural community back together, and for working together to lean into the work that we have in front of us.

Volunteer

Volunteer

Join BIMA’s Volunteer Family!

BIMA is always on the lookout for passionate, excited volunteers to help the Museum fulfill its mission and engage the public. By joining the family of volunteers, you will get the opportunity to learn more about the Museum, make a deeper connection with regional art and artists, meet fascinating guests from all around the world, attend special events at the museum, meet other volunteers with similar interests, and develop marketable skills to take with you in life.

BIMA will work with you!

BIMA has a various and ever-growing list of needs and volunteer positions. The volunteers range from those who can drop in to help at an envelope stuffing party or pour wine at an event, to regularly scheduled shifts greeting guests as a docent at the Welcome Desk or providing administrative support to staff. BIMA will work with your schedule, interests and skills to find a position that best fits YOUR needs as a volunteer.

Help in the Sherry Grover Gallery.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please click here.

If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Kim Seigel (Volunteer Coordinator) at kim@biartmuseum.org or (206) 451-4019.

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Participate in an exciting and dynamic atmosphere
  • Learn about the arts and museum operations
  • Receive invitations to exclusive events
  • Give back to your community
  • Make new friends and become part of the BIMA family
  • Earn High School volunteer credits

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Works according to the BIMA Volunteer Handbook (you will receive this information during your training)
  • Ability to pass a background check
  • Adheres to BIMA confidentiality standards and policies

Sample Volunteer Opportunities:

DOCENT

Docents at BIMA help perform one of the most important volunteer functions of the art museum: welcoming and introducing visitors to the BIMA experience. Docents are liaisons to the exhibits and share firsthand knowledge about art, while inviting the public to become curious and informed viewers. Strong customer service skills are required for this position.

Docents greeting guests at BIMA.
Volunteers help in all areas of the museum including Admin.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEER

Administrative volunteers provide valuable office and clerical support and help extend BIMA’s resources by fulfilling essential needs of the staff including customer service, answering the phone, filing, mailing and distribution of printed materials, research and data input. Strong customer service skills are required for this position.

EVENT SUPPORT

Be a part of the fun and engage directly with art audiences! BIMA holds a variety of events throughout the year to engage members, patrons, donors, and the community. From intimate gatherings in support of an exhibiting artist, to our annual fundraiser, there are multiple events every week that could benefit from your help. Responsibilities include set-up, decor, greeting, check-in, bartending, food prep, and clean-up.

A volunteer pours wine at a BIMA event.
Volunteers can help with exhibition installation.

EXHIBITION INSTALLATION CREW

Experience BIMA behind the scenes! The exhibition installation crew assists with installing and taking down exhibitions by carefully prepping, painting, hanging, labeling, and cleaning the galleries. As this is a high-touch position, art handling training is required, and results in a more intensive commitment level over a short period of time.

INTERNSHIPS

Various museum departments seek high school, undergraduate, and graduate student interns. Interns gain skills and behind the scenes insights through on-the-job training. Internship opportunities can be offered in conjunction with college and university credit.

 

Intern at BIMA and earn credit towards a college degree.

AND MORE!

BIMA will find a role that suits your interests and strengths. Introvert or extrovert, islander or commuter, regular or once-in-awhiler? BIMA will tailor a position for you!