Valued Volunteers: Insights of University of Alberta Museums Volunteers

This year, the University of Alberta Museums introduced a new way to recognize volunteers who have worked in museum collections. As the Covid-19 pandemic put a hold on many volunteer activities, the Volunteer Honour Roll was created as a way to still recognize volunteer contributions during challenging times. 

In 2021, four outstanding volunteers will be the first names added to the list: Karlene Dunne (Bryan/Gruhn Archaeology Collection, University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, Mactaggart Art Collection), Sydney Ouderkirk (University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, Mactaggart Art Collection), Lucas Beatch (University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, Mactaggart Art Collection), and Tim Grieco (University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, Mactaggart Art Collection). 

Karlene (KD) and Sydney (SO) provided us with some of their insights into the volunteer experience with the University of Alberta Museums.

What did you enjoy most about your volunteer experience?

(SO) I enjoyed learning about all the personal connections to UAlberta Museum's objects. Many visitors had personal connections to items, collections, or the individuals that donated to UAlberta Museums and it was wonderful to hear the stories related to different collections. 

(KD) While volunteering in Gallery A, I was surprised by how people had so many different questions to ask about the works of art. Everyone interpreted the art through their own perspectives, and it was always interesting to hear their personal interests in the pieces – overall, it was really neat to see how people engaged with the pieces in real-time. In the Bryan/Gruhn Anthropology collection, I really enjoy getting a closer look at the artifacts through photography – every piece is individually unique, and it really makes you appreciate the aesthetic choices of the maker. Even pieces of shatter are beautiful in their own odd way! 

Why was it important for you to volunteer with a University of Alberta Museums collection?

(SO) I love history and learning and what better place to do that than a museum! I get to learn a lot about areas of history I had never had the chance to get to know and pass that information on to others.

(KD) I wanted to participate in various positions of the cultural-heritage field to fully understand all the factors involved in working in museums, galleries, and collections. Fortunately, UAlberta Museums provided a variety of volunteer opportunities to experience these positions first hand! There are so many different types of collections on the university campus, all requiring different backgrounds and skill sets, so each place makes you learn something new to take to the next. With the skills gained from these experiences, I fully intend to continue volunteering, and also take more formal education in the cultural-heritage field to further my goal of museum studies and eventual employment.

What made you choose volunteering with a University of Alberta Museums collection?

(SO) I volunteered for the W.G. Hardy Collection of Ancient Near Eastern and Classical Antiquities museum because I was taking a degree in Ancient History (and loved it!), but I also wanted to learn something new so that is why I wanted to volunteer with UAlberta Museums Art Collection and Mactaggart Art Collection. 

(KD) When I started university, it was my goal to somehow get ‘hands-on’ experience in the cultural-heritage fields. After talking with graduates who have success in this line of work, they all agreed that volunteering with a University of Alberta Museums collection was the way to go – and it really was! Through various volunteering positions, I have worn many different hats and have gained more insight into how museums, collections, and galleries are maintained than I would have imagined three years ago.

The University of Alberta is one of the largest collecting institutions in Canada. With 29 registered museum collections distributed across campus and millions of museum objects, the University of Alberta Museums is a unique system that is integral to the University of Alberta’s academic mission. The University of Alberta has a long tradition of collecting on campus and all museum objects are used to create new knowledge. Collections are accessed by students, faculty, researchers, and the community through classes, online platforms, and exhibitions.