Fundraisers

#GivingTuesday 2020

This #Giving Tuesday, please help us preserve the past with a monthly contribution. Help us reach our goal of ten new Purveyors of the Past by December 1.

Like many cultural institutions, we have had to close our doors once again. Although we currently cannot welcome visitors and volunteers to the Center, we continue to care for our collections. This means maintaining climate control, security, inspections and oversight of over 1.4 million artifacts. In addition, we continue to share artifacts and information with the public through virtual lectures, school programs, and exhibits.

San Diego County is home to more than 30,000 archaeological sites that provide valuable insight into the area’s human history, and the Center is the only local facility dedicated to the care, management, and use of artifacts from these sites. By becoming a Purveyor of the Past monthly donor, you can help to ensure that these cultural treasures will be available to share with future generations.

  • How do I give? It’s easy! Go to our Donation form (or click the Donate Now button on the right side of your screen) and select Monthly under Donation Frequency.
  • Is there a certain amount I must give? Nope! You may donate the amount that you are comfortable giving each month. No matter how big or small the sum, every gift is essential to sustaining the Center.
  • What does my gift support? Your donation supports collections care, educational programs for all ages, museum exhibits, and more throughout the year. When making your donation, you may also indicate how you would like your contribution to be used.

Not ready to join Purveyors of the Past? You can also make a one-time gift on our Donation form, over the phone at 760-291-0370 or by mailing a check made out to the San Diego Archaeological Center to the following address:

San Diego Archaeological Center
ATTN: Development Department
16666 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA 92027

Thank you for your support!

 

Collections Research

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will identify, design, and conduct an original research project that uses the Center’s archaeological collections. The intern will formulate a plan for public dissemination of the project results as a journal publication, a museum exhibit, or a public class or lecture. During the course of the research and dissemination planning, the intern will receive training in research design, collections management, artifact analysis, and exhibit design and production as appropriate to the selected project.

Archaeology Lab Positions

Volunteers will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. Center staff will instruct the volunteer on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, the intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups with regard to archaeological materials.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Library Science

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library. During the course of the internship, the intern will take a leading role in the cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Public Archaeology

With the assistance of Center staff, interns will research, design, and produce a project that educates the public about archaeology or a related field using the Center’s archaeological collections. Interns may create virtual museum exhibits and related activities, develop curricula for K-12 programs in line with current content standards, or plan and present a public class or lecture. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the course of the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to the selected project.