Volunteer
Join a community of curious, committed individuals supporting the mission of SAR.
The School for Advanced Research thrives because of our dedicated volunteers who support public programming and keep SAR’s campus and collections vibrant and accessible. Volunteer opportunities span departments across campus—from Native arts and library science to publishing and event support. Whether you're interested in art, education, research, nonprofit administration, or public engagement, there's a place for you at SAR.
SAR Gala, 2025
Summer Volunteer Opportunities
For the summer of 2026, SAR is seeking energetic, engaging volunteers to help support a busy summer season of events. Last year’s popular Dog Days of Summer and Music at Dusk series will return with compelling new speakers and artists to engage our community. These events take place on the plaza at the center of the SAR campus. Volunteers are part of the excitement at these events.
Volunteers will work side-by-side with peers and SAR staff to greet, guide, and assist guests and production staff, ensuring that every attendee has a great experience. Additional volunteer opportunities are available during weekdays to support event preparation and front desk reception. These roles are best for people with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to thrive in a busy and fast-paced event environment.
Volunteer Benefits
In addition to knowing your contribution in time and effort helps SAR fulfill its mission, volunteers also receive a complimentary SAR membership, which includes:
- Free admission to SAR Indian Arts and Historic Campus tours
- Member rates for ticketed events
- 40% discount on SAR Press publications
- At-cost discount on SAR merchandise
- Invitations to special events, field trips, and open houses
- Loan privileges at the SAR Catherine McElvain Library
- SAR’s Annual Report and the semi-annual SAR Now print newsletter
Volunteer at the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC)
Education Volunteers
Help ensure engaging experiences for visitors of all ages by supporting the IARC’s public and educational programs. Assist with outreach, provide office support, and enable program development, among other opportunities.
Collections Volunteers
Do you have a background in collections? Former registrars, preparators, fabricators, collections assistants, and curators, reach out for opportunities to help in the IARC when it comes to the care, organization, and preservation of over 12,000 works of Native art in our vaults. Volunteers assist with labeling, cataloging, and maintaining records to increase access to and stewardship of these critical works of art and cultural resources.
Docents
SAR’s public tours of the IARC and historic campus are led by trained docents. Reach out to receive updates on our next docent training program and receive in-depth training and ongoing education that enables our guides to share insights into the cultural and historical significance of the grounds and collections.
* IARC volunteers and docents also attend quarterly continuing education meetings, often featuring guest speakers and learning opportunities focused on Native art, culture, and interpretation.
Volunteer at the Catherine McElvain Library
Do you have a background in library science or archival collections care? Library volunteers assist with projects that support the smooth functioning of SAR’s research library and archives. Tasks may include archival processing, data entry, scanning, or organizing book sales—tailored to your skills and interests.
Volunteer at the SAR Press
Support SAR’s publication arm through proofreading, filing, inventory management, and data entry. Volunteers with experience in scholarly publishing, editing, or indexing are encouraged to reach out!
How to get involved
Ready to join our volunteer community?
Call us at (505) 954-7200 or email us at info@sarsf.org to get started.
Become part of something meaningful. Volunteer with SAR today.