Arts Festival Volunteers
The Summer Arts Festival would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. Over 150 Arts Center supporters rally each year acting as gate greeters, booth sitters, Youth Zone assistants and all-around helpers as our three-day festivities take over the grounds and facility.
Have a passion or interest to be involved in this year’s Summer Arts Festival?
Complete the online application, or contact us at 541-672-2532 or volunteers@uvarts.com.
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Setup Crew
Overview: This is for Volunteers who can commit to a few days of work the week before the festival, and the week of the festival. This position requires hard workers – there is heavy lifting and some long days – but don’t you worry because UVAA prides itself with excellent volunteer benefits that include cold water, snacks, and delicious lunch!
Details: This group is led by two extremely valuable UVAA volunteers, Roger and Doug! Volunteers will help put up fencing, set up barricades, set up tables/chairs and shade cloths, put up signage and assist with other setup tasks. The shade cloth is assembled the week before the festival, and all other grounds work is done the week of the festival. We ask that you be available for the entire set up, as this time is vital to the entire festival. Volunteering for take down on Sunday/Monday is also encouraged because you will already have the experience! Bringing a friend along is encouraged. We will enjoy lunch together each day at noon.
We encourage the same volunteers that set up to also take down, because they will already know all the steps and details required. Please commit to the entire festival set up, if possible.
Take-Down Crew
Details: Finally, when all is said and done…everything comes back down. Together, staff and volunteers will take down and put away all festival related things, such as tables, chairs, fences, signs, etc. This will include assisting vendors with loading up their supplies, as well as picking up trash and other debris from the grounds. This is a physically demanding position, water and motivation will be provided. We may celebrate at the end with a group hug, and a hurrah (actually, we definitely will) because hard work really does pay off!
We encourage the same volunteers that set up to also take down, because they will already know all the steps and details required. Please commit to the entire festival set up, if possible.
Vendor Check In
Overview: These Volunteers will be some of the first faces our Vendors see! Your excitement, smiles, and great hospitality will be essential to kick off a great festival. The Vendor Support Crew comprises of two positions: Vendor Check in, and Vendor Set Up.
Details: And so it begins! Kindly welcome vendors to the Arts Center and check them in. Two tables will be set up in the Alcove which will have the vendor roster, booth number signs and vendor welcome bags. One volunteer will be at a table checking vendor names off the roster as they come in, and the other volunteer will be giving them their booth number sign and their welcome bags, which contain their vendor passes and other important festival info! It is important to make sure the vendor is comfortable and prepared, so answer any questions to the best of your ability and notify us if there are complications or concerns.
Vendor Set Up
Details: There are some vendors that need help unpacking and transporting their precious festival supplies out to their booth space. This assistance is greatly appreciated. These volunteers will make themselves available and visible in the Corridor (just as you walk into the Arts Center) and by nearby parking spaces. Please offer your services to vendors as you see them. Careful handling is required and volunteers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Booth Sitters
Minimum two-hour commitment
Details: A highly demanded group indeed…and we can see why! These volunteers will stroll the grounds and make themselves available to vendors to watch over their booths while they take a quick break – usually no more than 15 minutes. This is also a great way for volunteers to learn more about an artist’s practice and meet interesting people! If customers approach while you are watching the booth, kindly greet them and let them know if they’d like to make a purchase the vendor will be back shortly.
Gate Crew
Minimum two-hour commitment, some late shifts are 3 hours depending on location
Details: Our festival guests’ very first experience… no pressure! Volunteers who have bright and welcoming hospitality skills are in high demand for this crew, and good organization skills are also very helpful. Volunteers will greet guests, collect entrance fees, keep track of entries, pass out festival guides, and answer questions as needed. It is valuable to have basic knowledge of UVAA and the Summer Arts Festival: what we do, what our hours are, etc. There will be an information booth on the grounds if they wish to know more, please guide them there if needed. This position is responsible for money, so please let us know if you are not comfortable handling money and we will assign you to the other position at the gate.
The Food Court Gate also serve as an alcohol monitoring gate, which means volunteers have to supervise the area and make sure no one leaves the food court with alcohol. Any disturbances, heavily intoxicated guests, or underage drinking should be reported to staff immediately. There are two other Gates in the Food Court that also supervise the area.
Food Court Monitors
Must be 21 or older
Minimum two-hour commitment, last shift of the day is 3 hours
Gallery II Monitoring Gate – These volunteers supervise the area and do not let anyone with alcohol through the gate and onto the festival grounds. La Rae Biars is the supervising volunteer in this area, if you have questions or concerns please notify her. There will be a bucket with water and rags provided to wipe down tables after guests have finished eating and you may alternate clean up with the other alcohol monitors on duty, communicate thoroughly and never leave your post without another person to monitor that area. If there are any disturbances, heavily intoxicated people, possible underage drinking please notify staff immediately.
Stage Monitoring Gate – These volunteers supervise the area and do not let anyone with alcohol through the gate and onto the festival grounds. La Rae Biars is is the supervising volunteer in this area, if you have questions or concerns please notify her. There will be a bucket with water and rags provided to wipe down tables after guests have finished eating and you may alternate clean up with the other alcohol monitors on duty, communicate thoroughly and never leave your post without another person to monitor that area. If there are any disturbances, heavily intoxicated people, possible underage drinking please notify staff immediately.
UVA Building Monitor
Minimum two hour commitment
Details: A nice way to get out of the weather for a little while… actively roam around our lovely building and supervise the galleries and artworks. Anything out of the ordinary, messes, or hazardous things should be reported to staff, and please let viewers know not to touch the artwork. If someone wishes to purchase an item in our Gift Gallery, please use the walkie-talkie to contact a staff member to come assist the customer. Also our Vendor Hospitality booth will be located in Studio East inside the building, we will need you periodically restock snacks and keep the area welcoming and clean. It is good to become familiar with the artwork in the galleries, so do some browsing yourself!
Community Art Project
Minimum two hour commitment
Details: Volunteers will need to welcome festival guests to the community art booth, explain the art project and help keep it neat. Water for brushes will need to be replaced a couple times each day. At the end of the day the volunteer will pack art supplies up and store them under the table. At the beginning of each day the will set up the booth.
Youth Zone
Details: The Youth Zone is a huge attraction at the festival, and a very rewarding place to be! Here, volunteers will demonstrate simple art projects and help supervise and assist the kids while they create their art. Volunteers must have patience with the kids and parents, and also be able to work standing for two hours. Must be at least 15 years of age. This position may also include decorating, setting up, and taking down the Youth Zone.
VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE NOTE:
- There is no festival parking reserved for volunteers. Each volunteer location will have a table and chairs, along with a box that contains water, granola bars, sun screen, and first aid. Each shift is a minimum of two hours with an overlap of 15 minutes, example: 11:45-2, 1:45-4, 3:45-6, 5:45-8.
- Please check in to your first shift 15 minutes early (at The Clay Place)
- We suggest all Volunteers bring a Water bottle to stay hydrated, as well as Sun Screen to protect you from getting sunburns.
- We encourage you to volunteer with a friend because most of our positions are for two to four people. Sharing experiences is so valuable, and fun!
- While we try to include volunteers of all ages at our festival, we ask that anyone under the age of 13 be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Alcohol Monitors must be 21 or older.
- Don’t hesitate to let us know what you would be most confident volunteering for. We love to let you shine!
- In case of any disturbance or emergency, contact a staff person immediately. Each volunteer base will have a walkie-talkie.
- We are so very grateful to all our volunteers, and hope you have a wonderful festival experience.