PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Museum of Art has an army of about 500 volunteers of all ages who work in nearly every department from assisting staff behind-the-scenes to interacting directly with the Museum's visitors.
Laura Marmar has been a volunteer tour guide at the museum for years and says she loves her job.
"The best thing about being a guide at the museum is the depth in which you begin to experience the collections. The other part of it is the people," said Laura.
Volunteering is an ideal way to make new friends while also learning the ins and outs of one of the largest museums in the country.
Any Guidera-Matey is the manager of volunteer services. She says, "What the guides do is just really make the collections come alive. We have guides that are very knowledgeable and they're very passionate about the art. And, that passion is contagious."
Becoming a tour guide requires a 2-year course of study, but for volunteers that commitment pays off.
"It's really important to have something that you look forward to, something that you can make goals and achieve. Constant learning, I think everyone really wants that," said Elizabeth Williams, a volunteer guide.
You can check the Museum's website for volunteer opportunities.
And there are links and stories about other volunteer opportunities on our Art of Aging section.