Museum guides are a community of collaborative and inclusive volunteers who lead groups of visitors on guided conversations about works of art at the de Young. Training consists of 10 initial sessions, along with continued support and professional development. Museum guides learn visitor-engagement skills, an understanding of museums as community spaces, and knowledge about specific works of art and artists in our permanent collections. 

Note: We are currently accepting applications for a small pilot class of museum guides in fall 2026.

For more information, please see our FAQs below or contact us at museumguides@famsf.org.

On the museum floor

Volunteers welcome visitors at the information desk and kiosk by providing directions, tour and lecture suggestions, transit information, and local tips. 

Flower Committee

The Flower Committee designs and creates artistic fresh-flower arrangements at the de Young and the Legion of Honor. Volunteers with professional floral experience or a floral design degree are preferred.

Gardening and landscaping

Our teams of volunteer gardeners maintain and nurture the plants and flowers on the museum grounds.

Special events and projects

Volunteers assist with various special events, such as exhibition openings and the Holiday Artisan Fair. They perform a variety of duties, including check-in and registration, materials assembly, and coat check.

Volunteers provide crucial support to de Young and Legion operations. They also gain knowledge of art and art history, experience in arts administration, valuable customer service skills, as well as the following benefits:

• Free admission to the permanent collection and most special exhibitions at both the de Young and Legion of Honor

• Access to free lectures, tours, educational programs, and special exhibition previews

• Discounts at our stores and cafés

• Annual appreciation luncheon