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Henry Moore Studios & Gardens in Hertfordshire is currently closed for winter, reopening in April 2025.

Henry Moore Institute in Leeds will be closed over Christmas from 23 to 26 December and 30 December to 1 January (library and archive closed from 23 December to 1 January).

See & Do

Volunteering at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

Do you have an enthusiasm for art and culture, or experience in education?

Do you enjoy spending time surrounded by art and nature?

We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our community of volunteers who help us to bring Henry Moore’s home and workplace to life.

An older man, wearing a blue jacket and round glasses, shows an album of photos to a group of people gathered around him.

Why volunteer?

Volunteering with one of our teams offers first-hand insight into the work of one of the world’s most notable sculptors, and the chance to experience the day-to-day operation of an international arts organisation.

Our volunteers help us to continue Henry Moore’s mission to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts.

What we can do for you

  • Free entry to our site for family and guests
  • 20% discount in our shop
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
  • Travel expenses paid
  • Social events and Christmas party
  • Volunteer newsletter
  • Training provided

 

Other benefits of volunteering

  • Learn new skills
  • Meet and make new friends
  • Enhance your knowledge of the arts
  • Become part of a dedicated team
Eleven people of varying ages stood together outdoors in a line. They are in front of a large bronze sculpture by Henry Moore.
A small bronze sundial, sculpted by Henry Moore, in the garden at the artist's home. Behind the sundial is a border of lavender and cottage planting.

Volunteer Gardeners

Our dedicated team helps to maintain Moore’s sculpture gardens.

The gardens were designed by Moore and his wife Irina. They are predominantly rural in appearance, made up of 70 acres of ponds, hedgerows, orchards, sheep fields, woodlands, lawns and a small kitchen garden.

Maintaining such a diverse area offers a variety of challenges for our small team of garden staff and volunteers. You can choose to work on specific projects, or more generally across the estate.

We ask our volunteers to make a commitment for a fixed term (usually one season at a time).

A tour guide shows a folder of information to a group of visitors.

Volunteer Guides

Help bring Henry Moore’s work to life by guiding our educational and group visitors.

Our enthusiastic team of volunteers lead guided tours for a wide range of people. The types of group you will be leading vary, from school students of all ages to adults and groups with special education needs (SEN).

Tours run during our open season, from April until late October. The amount of time you are able to commit to giving tours is flexible, with some volunteers giving a couple of tours a month, and others leading multiple tours each week.

We are not currently recruiting volunteers guides.

An older man sat working at a computer, with archive material on the desk next to him and shelves of books on art behind him.

Volunteer Archive Assistants

Archive assistants help to catalogue, digitise and rehouse our varied archive collections.

The Henry Moore Archive contains over three-quarters of a million items, making us one of the world’s largest archives dedicated to a single artist. Our collections illuminate Moore’s creativity and curiosity, and document his life, work and influence.

Our team of volunteers gain insight into Moore’s processes, output and reputation and crucially help to provide access to our resources to researchers, professionals and the wider public.

We are not currently recruiting volunteers for the archive.

Volunteering events

Find out more about volunteering and speak to our friendly team at one of our open mornings.

Our gardens team also occasionally hold one-off volunteering sessions, taking on specific tasks in the sculpture gardens.

Upcoming volunteering events are listed below, or you can get in touch with our team to arrange an informal meeting.

Frequently asked questions

How often do you hold open mornings?

We try to hold open mornings at least once each season.

What experience do I need?

No experience is required, and specific training will be provided.

I can’t make it to an open morning, can I come another time?

You are welcome to visit and talk to our team at other times. Just get in touch via the form on this page and we can arrange an informal meeting.

Can I volunteer at the Institute in Leeds?

Unfortunately we are not currently able to take on any volunteers at the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds.

Register your interest in volunteering

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, and we will be in touch.

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