Become a volunteer at the American Swedish Institute!

Volunteers play a central role in helping the American Swedish Institute fulfill it's mission of being a gathering place for people to share stories and experiences around universal themes of tradition, migration, craft and the arts, all informed by enduring ties to Sweden. ASI offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals that are passionate about the historic Turnblad Mansion, Swedish and Nordic culture, museums, history, architecture, and design. 

Special Events

Help make ASI signature events even more special! Volunteer projects include serving food or beverages, greeting and seating guests, taking admission for events, or assisting with family craft activities and games. There is a great need for special events volunteers during the Christmas season, as ASI offers many holiday events for both adults and children, but special events volunteers can assist with projects and events year round.

Visitor Research Volunteer

Do you enjoy visiting with people and getting to know their stories and motivations for visiting ASI?  Help ASI better understand who is visiting the museum and why.  Visitor Research volunteers conduct friendly interviews (5-10 questions) with visitors using an iPad.  Ideally the volunteer can provide 1-2 hours during peak visitor times (conducting 5- 10 interviews per volunteer shift).

Mansion Facilitator

Love the Turnblad Mansion and want to share its many stories and details with others? Become an ASI Facilitator! Facilitators engage visitors by sharing information about the mansion, orienting visitors to where things are located in the mansion, and monitoring exhibits. This is a great opportunity for those that enjoy history, architecture, or just meeting new people.

Admissions Volunteer

Have a welcoming smile and passion for ASI? Become an admissions volunteer!   Admissions volunteers are the first people  visitors meet in their trip to the Turnblad Mansion and Nelson Cultural Center. This position is responsible for collecting admission fees, handing out brochures, handing out admission tags, and introducing visitors to the mansion and exhibits. They also assist the Visitor Services Associates with the public and occasional office tasks. Admissions volunteers must feel comfortable working with computers and the public.

Library Volunteers

Library volunteers help with projects based around the Wallenberg Library and Archives in the Turnblad mansion. Projects include cataloging, shelving library books and archives materials, outreach to local groups and schools, staffing the reading room, documenting usage and researcher information, answering reference questions and doing initial research, social media, plus many special projects from time to time.