Journeys with Mai: Gallery Invigilator Volunteer

To celebrate Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Bradford District Museums and Galleries has partnered with the National Portrait Gallery the Fitzwilliam Museum, in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge; and The Box, Plymouth.

This major new project will see Portrait of Mai by Joshua Reynolds (c.1776), the Galleries most significant acquisition ever made, embark on its first national tour and engagement programme, seeking to transform this historic work of art into a living narrative shaped by contemporary perspectives. At its centre is the ambition to take youth engagement to a new level through active dialogue and skill sharing hand in hand with young people, professionals, and local audiences, building new knowledge and understanding in relation to this important work.

Mai visited Yorkshire while he was in England. Bradford is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in the UK and in 2025 is also UK City of Culture. In response to the Portrait of Mai being displayed at Cartwright Hall, Bradford, young people will consider personal journeys and investigate themes of masculinity, coming of age and travel.

The display in this gallery showcases the Mai portrait alongside Bradford District Museums & Galleries David Hockney collection and Interpretation produced by young people that explores their own relationship to the portrait and its themes, for new audiences.
Thank you for contributing your skills, energy and time to celebrate the districts culture, in all its forms! Most of all, we hope you have fun, that you experience something new, and that you meet great friends along the way.

About the role:
– Assist the BDMG team in the gallery.
– Engage and proactively approach visitors to gain feedback for evaluation purposes.
– Ensure proper behaviour in the gallery to maintain a warm, fun, welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors and their children.
– Assist in event setup.
– Providing information through maps/programmes and flyers.
– Answering any questions visitors may have.
– Providing accurate directions.
– Offer additional assistance and information as required.
– Be able to speak confidently about the brief for this display/community project.
– Other opportunities as agreed.
What you will bring to the team:
– Be passionate about the BMG and its role in the City of Culture for 2025.
– Be physically able to lift, carry and clean event spaces.
– Enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.
– Great knowledge of the local area and facilities.
– Knowledge of additional and accessibility needs visitors may have.
– Be approachable and confident when speaking to people.
– Enjoy working as part of a team.
– Be reliable and able to follow instructions.
Our commitment to you:
– We will offer the essential training you need with opportunities to do additional training.
– We will value your time and appreciate at least one day a week, 11am to 3pm.
– You will receive agreed travel expenses, reimbursed within our guidelines, of up to £5 per day and a free hot drink in the Refreshment Room gallery café.
– You will receive supervision from the visitor services and volunteer teams who will ensure you enjoy your time with us, and you are given suitable tasks.
More information here: Bradford District Museums & Galleries – Journeys with MAI