Art Gallery of Ballarat is calling for more than 100 volunteers to help usher tourists through the gallery and perform inventory tasks.

Volunteer co-ordinator Anna Jacobs is in the process of recruiting volunteers who would be required to work a minimum of four shifts throughout the 45 day long exhibition.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for people to get involved with the exhibition. It’s a fabulous thing to be involved with,” Ms Jacobs said. 

“There is the behind the scenes experiences, the opportunity to new friends, (opportunity to) work with gallery staff and learn about particular artists,” Ms Jacobs said.

During the 2015 Archibald Prize around 1200 people flowed through gallery doors daily and volunteers were integral to the event’s smooth running.

“We couldn’t do it without volunteers,” Ms Jacobs said.

Federation University visual arts student Malinda Cracknell volunteered in 2015 and will return this year. 

She said the brilliant opportunity allowed her to meet important people in the arts scene and broadened her interest and knowledge of the arts.

Treish Gavegan opted to volunteer in 2015 because she was new to the area.

“It was a great way of getting to know new people,” Ms Gavegan said.

Gallery Director Gordon Morrison said that the volunteers were essential to the gallery’s successful presentation of the Archibald Prize last year.

“We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those willing workers, who helped us to deliver the show in 2015,” Mr Morrison said.

“The volunteers were the public face of the exhibition, and played an enormous part in ensuring that visitors were welcomed and looked after while they were here.

“We want Archibald visitors to keep coming back to experience what Ballarat has to offer.”

To volunteer visit artgalleryofballarat.com.au.