Japanese American National Museum

JANM’s Discover Nikkei project is a community-based web project that shares the stories and perspectives of Nikkei around the world in four languages—English, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese. Volunteers write about JANM exhibitions and upcoming programs; interview authors, artists, filmmakers, and others; review books and films; and more.

Other volunteer opportunities include translations, transcribing oral history interviews, video editing, guest hosting Nima Voices episodes, assisting with multilingual social media posts and responding to inquiries, and programming (must be proficient in Python/Django).

Most Discover Nikkei volunteers work remotely and communication and coordination is primarily done through e-mail or through Slack. All volunteers must be able to communicate in writing and verbally in English or Japanese. Writers/editors/translators must submit samples that demonstrate fluency and skill in the language they will be writing/translating into.

Origami Docents are needed to assist in hands-on activities with school groups (elementary through high school). Training will be provided in a classroom setting for Museum orientation and Japanese American History. Hands-on training in the four official Museum origami pieces is provided along with a brief history of origami in America and how it relates to the JANM’s mission.

Origami Docents are needed on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), with particular need on Fridays. Weekly (preferred) or twice per month.

Our weekday group tour facilitators share the Japanese American story with our diverse audience of students in grades 1-12. They facilitate interactive school group experiences of our core exhibition Common Ground: The Heart of Community and, alongside our Origami Docents, craft with students one of the Museum’s four designated origami pieces.

Prior experience is not needed. You will receive knowledge in classroom settings and through active learning. Familiarity with Japanese American history is a plus but not required. On-going learning opportunities are available through volunteer and staff led sessions, JANM public programs, and online resources.

Facilitators are needed for morning hour shifts of 4 hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. An annual average of eight volunteer hours per month (96 hours per calendar year) is requested.