Lotusland will develop a virtual learning management system to improve and expand its volunteer training program by developing an online onboarding curriculum with educational materials

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Ganna Walska Lotusland $167,832 under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) on September 1, 2026.

Lotusland will develop a virtual learning management system to improve and expand its volunteer training program. The system will include an online onboarding curriculum with educational modules, videos, and interactive tools that volunteers can access anytime. Staff will recruit a focus group for pilot testing of the digital tool. The online training module will streamline volunteer onboarding and generate educational materials to improve docent-led tours while making training more accessible and flexible to attract a wider range of volunteers, including younger and working adults. Lotusland will share project outcomes through conferences to contribute to sector-wide learning on digital training and volunteer engagement.

Performance occurs in Montecito, California, with a period of performance ending December 31, 2027.

The virtual learning management system will include educational modules, videos, and interactive tools that volunteers can access anytime. Staff will recruit a focus group for pilot testing of the digital tool. The online training module will streamline the onboarding of volunteers and generate educational materials to continuously improve docent-led tours while making training more accessible, flexible, and attractive to a wider range of volunteers, including younger and working adults. This increased accessibility is critical as lotusland prepares for demographic shifts, the retirement of longtime guest speakers, and a generational change in how volunteers expect to learn. Staff will share project outcomes through conferences, contributing to sectorwide learning on digital training and volunteer engagement.