Volunteer Opportunities
Get involved as a Volunteer Exhibition Assistant!
Talbot Rice Gallery is one of Scotland’s leading contemporary art galleries. As part of the University of Edinburgh, it creates exhibitions across its distinct contemporary and historical spaces. Working with national, international and emerging artists, leading academics and students, it is a place for creativity and learning, providing unique professional development opportunities.
Volunteer opportunities
We look for volunteers to get involved in every exhibition at the gallery as Volunteer Exhibition Assistants. As a volunteer you will be welcoming visitors to the gallery, invigilating artworks, collecting and supporting with other small tasks. Our team of volunteers are crucial in the success of our exhibitions and provide essential and valued support.
All volunteers receive training for their role, the chance to network and socialise with like-minded people, practical experience of working in a contemporary gallery space, public engagement and the opportunity to meet artists. Volunteers are asked to commit to one regular day per week between 9.30am-5pm and must be 18 years or over.
Applications to volunteer for our next exhibition are currently CLOSED.
You can still fill out a Volunteer Application Form and we will get back to you if we are looking for more volunteers in the future. We will aim to open our applications again in advance of our Summer Exhibition.
If you require the form in another format or have any queries, please email us at talbotrice.volunteer@ed.ac.uk.
Please note you will be asked to attend a short online interview on receipt of a successful application
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Reflections
"Through being part of the team in a professional environment, I've learned so much about how galleries work and about art itself. Everybody, whether staff or volunteers, have been extremely welcoming and willing to help – I would recommend volunteering here to anyone who it may be of interest to, especially if working in galleries might be something you would consider in the future as it gives great insight into that environment." - Alex
“Volunteering at Talbot Rice Gallery has taught me a lot about how galleries work on a practical level. If you want to gain more experience in the sector, this is definitely the place to do so.The exhibitions are diverse and focus on different themes and subjects which most visitors really enjoy talking about. You can gain a lot of insight into contemporary art, gallery management and exhibition evaluation through volunteering at TRG.” - Andra
How often do I need to volunteer?
We always recruit for a whole exhibition period (3-4 months) but we only ask for 1 full day shift a week (9.45am-5pm). If you would like to continue to volunteer with us after an exhibition ends and a new one begins, you are always welcome to.
Do you cover travel expenses?
We cannot cover any travel expenses to and from your shifts at the gallery at this time.
Is there a uniform? What do I wear?
There is no uniform and you are welcome to wear clothes that are comfortable and smart. We provide a free TRG Team t-shirt when you join the team.
Do you provide training for the role?
Yes – we provide all new and returning volunteers a training session before the exhibition period starts. This session covers the role's responsibilities, tasks, exhibition content and best practice for visitor interaction.
What do I get at the end of my volunteering experience?
We ask that you do a minimum of 6 shifts when you first join the team. After 6 shifts, we will be able to provide you with a reference letter or a letter confirming your time volunteering if needed.
What happens if I cannot volunteer anymore?
We are aware that your circumstances may change which can impact your schedule. If you can no longer volunteer, we ask that you let us know so that we can remove you from the rota.