Tacoma Art Museum (TAM), located in the heart of Washington state, is more than just a cultural landmark. With a mission to transform communities through art that inspires new perspectives and cultivates a compassionate future, TAM has become a beacon of civic and cultural engagement. We sat down with Tashawn Deville, Director of Education and Community Involvement, to learn how volunteers help TAM fulfill its mission—and how VolunteerHub has supported the museum’s evolving needs.
Can you tell me about your role and the museum's mission?
Tashawn: I’m the Director of Education and Community Involvement. I oversee all of TAM’s educational and community programs, both onsite and offsite. The museum’s mission is to transform communities through art, encouraging broader perspectives and cultivating empathy and understanding. We’re deeply focused on regional art and artists, using storytelling through art to create dialogue and build bridges across communities.
What kind of work do volunteers do at the Tacoma Art Museum?
Tashawn: Volunteers are truly the backbone of our work. Our department is a team of three, and we run more than ten different programs that serve 3,000 to 5,000 people annually. Volunteers support community tabling events, lead gallery tours, assist with school visits and art-making activities, and keep our free community art space stocked and welcoming. Simply put, we couldn’t do what we do without them.
How many volunteers do you work with each year?
Tashawn: We typically work with around 50 volunteers annually. About 20–25 are considered regulars, and others are more seasonal, often coming in during the summer and fall when our programming ramps up.
What were some challenges you faced before implementing VolunteerHub?
Tashawn: Before VolunteerHub, we were using spreadsheets, emails, and manual tracking—common for organizations without a formal volunteer system. That meant communication delays, scheduling confusion, and inefficiencies that made it hard to build long-term relationships with volunteers. It also wasn’t scalable. Managing communication with a large number of volunteers just wasn’t sustainable.
What was the implementation process like?
Tashawn: I was pleasantly surprised. The implementation team at VolunteerHub was knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. Even though our volunteer program had been paused during the pandemic, they were able to provide archival data from our previous use of the platform. That was a huge help in getting the new iteration of our program off the ground. It felt like VolunteerHub was with us from start to finish.
Can you explain what made you come back to VolunteerHub?
Tashawn: We took a break from VolunteerHub when our program was impacted during the Covid pandemic. I’d used VolunteerHub at a previous organization, so I already knew its value. That experience, combined with TAM’s prior use of the platform, made it an easy decision. We explored other options, but VolunteerHub stood out in terms of effectiveness, price, familiarity, and overall functionality.
What features of VolunteerHub are the most valuable to your program?
Tashawn: The ability to create detailed event listings is huge. I love how granular we can get with confirmations, reminders, and location information. Some of our events take place off-site—like at schools—so having all that information in one place is essential for clear communication.
How have your volunteers responded to using the system?
Tashawn: Very well, even our older volunteers. We were initially concerned about their comfort level with technology, but VolunteerHub’s help resources made it easy to create onboarding guides. Volunteers love the self-service aspect—signing up, canceling, and viewing opportunities is seamless. The feedback has been really positive.
Do you believe you are getting a return on investment from VolunteerHub?
Tashawn: When you’re working with a small team, you learn to rely on systems instead of staff. VolunteerHub is like having an extra team member. It helps us maintain a steady, engaged volunteer base and ultimately helps us meet our goals. So yes, the ROI is substantial.
What are your future plans for using VolunteerHub?
Tashawn: Right now, we use it strictly for volunteers, but we’re looking at expanding into internships and other time-based contributions, like community advisory roles. It’s flexible enough to support all of that. There’s room to grow with the platform.
How can someone get involved and volunteer with the Tacoma Art Museum?
Tashawn: It’s easy! Just head to tacomaartmuseum.org, go to the "Support" section, and click “Become a Volunteer.” There’s a brief overview of the process—application, interview, orientation—and all signups happen through VolunteerHub. The whole system is simple and user-friendly.
