Our volunteers have a variety of different backgrounds, experiences, and skills and help bolster The ArQuives strength

From 1973 to 2004, The ArQuives was an entirely volunteer-run community organization. Since 2004, The ArQuives has grown the number of staff on our team, and at the same time, the number of volunteers and volunteer hours has also increased. In 2025, we had 119 volunteers working on a variety of committees. Even with staff, we are still a volunteer-focused organization.

Volunteers support The ArQuives in many ways, including collections work, tours, public programming, events, communications, exhibitions, fundraising, facilities, and special projects.

Learn more about the different volunteer opportunities in these committees below:

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Collections and Public Service Committee

The Collections and Public Service Committee is responsible for the library, archival, and artifact collections. This includes cataloguing library books and artifacts and the arrangement and description of archival material. They also assist in providing public service in our Reading Room.

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Communications Committee

The Communications Committee is responsible for promoting the collection, exhibitions and events. The committee looks for volunteers who are interested in creating original content such as long form articles and video content that amplify The ArQuives collection and bring awareness to our upcoming exhibitions.

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Community Engagement Committee

The Community Engagement Committee is responsible for events, tours, and presentations to the public. They also assist in conducting research for various projects. The committee looks for outgoing volunteers who are interested in creating and conducting programming, giving tours, and helping to connect the community with the collection.

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Curatorial Committee

Curatorial Committee Volunteers are responsible for the organizing and planning of the Exhibition and Programming for the Gallery, developing exhibit calls for proposal, guidelines, and developing The ArQuives Gallery Policies and Installation assistance. They are also responsible for working with artists, curators and volunteers to provide access to the gallery, ensure its security and contents, and lead gallery tours.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is responsible for guiding The ArQuivrs in staff and volunteer training, assisting in creating inclusive and equitable policies and procedures, implementing recommendations from the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan and the Collection Development Plan, and communicating these initiatives with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The committee welcomes members who are committed to making The ArQuives a safe and accessible space for the public, volunteers, and staff.

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Facilities Committee

Members of the Facilities Committee are responsible for managing the interior and exterior maintenance of The ArQuives heritage home at 34 Isabella. Some examples of tasks include painting and upkeep of gallery walls, garden work, changing light bulbs, and assisting with lifting large donations.

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Finance Committee

The Finance Committee assists and supports the Treasurer and Executive Director in overseeing the development and administration of the annual budget, participates in the creation of policies and best practices surrounding financial management procedures, and oversees the legal, regulatory, internal reporting, and auditing obligations of The ArQuives.

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Fundraising Committee

Members of the Fundraising Committee are responsible for assisting in raising funds for day to day operations and special projects. Some examples of tasks include creating direct mail, writing grants and requests for foundations, and research into potential donors and sponsorships.

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Relocation Committee

The Relocation Committee was established to advise, assist, and oversee The ArQuives’ development, planning, and execution of The ArQuives’s efforts to relocate to a new space. This includes advising on overall strategic issues, location, layout and design, budgeting, logistics, etc.

The Volunteer Positions Currently Available are:

  • Collection Volunteer Mentor: We are looking for folks with experience as archivists, librarians, museum workers, or heritage professionals who are willing to mentor new volunteers in collection practices. Monday evening availability is an asset.
  • Tour Guide: We are looking for folks to join the Community Engagement Committee to help lead our House and Village Tours. Our House Tours include a brief presentation and allow visitors to see how The ArQuives operates, and a chance to view the wide variety of materials that The ArQuives collects. The Church-Wellesley Village Tour covers 2SLGBTQIA+ history after the Second World War.
    • Comfort with leading groups of up to 20 people and daytime availability is an asset.

Volunteer Application Form

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The ArQuives. If you are interested in volunteering, please submit an application online.

We welcome volunteers throughout the year based on our current needs and capacity, and we recommend checking out what open volunteer positions are posted. Please note that due to the number of applications we receive, we cannot maintain a waiting list, and we encourage you to apply once per year to ensure you remain in consideration. 

We will only contact applicants when we have available space.

Available Student Placement, Internship, and Co-op Opportunities:

  • Communications: Placement projects may include but are not limited to curating social media campaigns, website administration and organization, content creation, and article writing. Placement projects and focuses will be determined upon acceptance.
  • Community Planning and Administration: Placement projects may include but are not limited to community planning and engagement, events, professional development, workshop planning, administration and organization, internal newsletter and article writing, and community engagement advertisement campaigns. Placement projects and focuses will be determined upon acceptance.
  • Collection and Archival: Internships, Co-ops, and Student Placement projects may include but are not limited to cataloguing library books, artifacts, artworks, and the arrangement and description of archival materials. Projects and focuses will be determined upon acceptance

Student Internships

Thanks for your interest in The ArQuives Student Internship Program. To apply for placement, please submit an application online. Please note that applying does not guarantee placement approval. We will contact you if we are able to find a position for you.

We recommend submitting your application at least two months before your institution’s placement confirmation deadline.

Please note that we are currently only accepting unpaid Student Placements, Internships, and Co-ops.

  • Summer Applications are closed. We are now accepting Fall/Spring Semester Applications.

Become a Member

There are three ways to become a member of The ArQuives! By making a financial donation, donating your records, or volunteering!