Festival Volunteer Positions

4-hour shifts between 11am - 10pm.

Exhibit Attendants play an important role in the festival and are one of the many faces for all the festival’s visitors. This role entails monitoring a specific art exhibit with another volunteer to ensure artwork is not damaged, lost, or stolen. In addition, attendants will count, with a mechanical clicker, the number of patrons who interact with the art exhibit.

This role allows an opportunity to greet and interact with the public about art or the festival itself. As attendants work in pairs, this is a great role for friends, families, and/or support workers to volunteer together. This is also an ideal role for visual arts students wishing to expand art interpretation skills, or any community member looking for an introduction into the arts

Comfort remaining outside in the same area for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions is required. Note: There are 30-minute breaks, chairs, opportunities to talk with the public, and a buddy in case of emergencies.

3.5 hour shifts between 11am-5pm

Family Programs Assistants assist the Family Programing Coordinator who comes up with different engaging crafts and activities for kids and families. Duties include encouraging fun and creativity for all patrons. This also includes doing art with families, encouraging patrons to be creative, ensuring a tidy space and that art supplies are not running low. While artists are encouraged to apply, it is not a requirement. Volunteers 18+ require references and may be subject to a Vulnerable Person’s Check.

This position is great for educators, education students, or anyone that loves creativity and working with children. As well as visual arts students wishing to dive into the local art world, or any community member looking for an introduction to the arts. As assistants typically work in pairs, this is a great position for those looking to volunteer together

The ability to remain outside for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions is required. Comfort and energy to interact and stay engaged with children and families of all ages and types throughout shift is required. Note: There are 30-minute breaks, chairs, opportunities to talk with the public, and a buddy in case of emergencies.

4-hour shifts between 11am - 10pm

Greeters are the first face patrons see when they enter the festival This role entails being stationed in pairs at each entrance of Churchill Square to greet the public, answer questions, and most importantly count patrons as they enter and leave the festival grounds with a mechanical counter.

Greeters are an integral role to The Works festival as counting how many patrons have visited the festival affects future funding.

As greeters work in pairs, this is a great position for those looking to volunteer in pairs, enhance their social skills or to volunteer with friends. Speaking English is not a requirement for this position.

Comfort remaining outside in the same area for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions is required. Note: There are 30-minute breaks, chairs, opportunities to talk with the public, and a buddy in case of emergencies.

Flexible shifts between 10am-11pm

Grounds maintenance volunteers keep the outdoor site environmentally friendly and attractive for all patrons to enjoy. Volunteers are supplied with PPE such as gloves, bags with a long handle, and a Reacher grabber tool.

This is a great position for those who do not desire to socialize or interact with the public or other volunteers too much. This is also a great role for those who wish to volunteer in pairs.

Comfort remaining outside for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions, as well as mobility to roam the festival site is required.

4-hour shifts between 11am - 10pm

Parking Attendant volunteers are vital to the smooth running of often unseen side of The Festival. Volunteers will ensure a calm and accessible parking area by ensuring reserved parking spots remain open for permit holders such as staff and musicians. These volunteers will monitor the parking area for compliance with designated parking spots and redirect non-permit holders to other parking areas. Throughout your shift, staff will be nearby to assist with any difficult conversations. While this is primarily a solo position, volunteers in pairs or trios are welcome! 

Comfort remaining outside in all (safe) weather conditions is required. Note: There are 30-minute breaks and chairs available. 

6-hour shifts 11am -11pm

The Works Patio is an all-ages area that allows the sale of alcoholic beverages to visitors over 18 years old and includes musical performances on the Works Street Stage. Patio Bar volunteers exchange drink tickets for cash/card, uphold AGLC rules, and serve alcohol to festival Patrons. Depending on the number of patrons, cashier and server duties may be split.

As this is a trusted position, volunteers must provide a personal reference or have a previous trusted connection to The Works. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and have or be or willing to get their Pro-Serve. While chairs and regular breaks will be provided, the ability to have a wide range of motion and perform repetitive movements is required.

4 hour shifts between 11am - 11pm

The Patio Gate Attendants are responsible for counting patrons as they enter and leave specific gates to ensure compliance with AGLC regulations. These volunteers also assist in ensuring AGLC rules are followed by ensuring no alcoholic drinks leave the Patio and general Patio rules are followed. Patio gate volunteers must be over the age of 18.

Comfort remaining outside for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions is required. Note: There are 30-minute breaks and chairs available. Ability to work and communicate as a team is required.

3-hour shifts between 10:30 am - 11pm

Volunteer photographers play an integral role in The Works Art & Design Festival, using their skilled eyes to capture special moments and memories we can share with the world. As a volunteer photographer you document North America’s largest free outdoor art and design festival.

Volunteer photographers must bring their own DSLR camera and attend The Works free photography orientation. Photographers experienced with crowd photography are encouraged to apply, though this is not necessary. Volunteers interested in this position must also submit a resume of their photography experience.

The ability to remain outside for an entire shift in all (safe) weather conditions, roaming the festival grounds solo, and a comfort approaching patrons to ask for consent form to be signed is required.

A photography orientation/training session is mandatory to be a Works photographer, in addition to the general orientation.

Flexible shifts between 11am - 8pm

Tour Guides play an important role in making The Works Art & Design Festival on Churchill Square come alive. They allow festival patrons to experience the festival and art exhibits in an accessible way, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and a motivation for patrons to learn more about contemporary and local art.

As tours can be conducted in pairs or solo, this is a great role for those looking to volunteer in pairs. This is also a great role for volunteers looking to develop public speaking skills or to learn more in-depth about contemporary and local art and art interpretation.

Tour Guide volunteers must attend a TArt (Training in Art interpretation) session, provided for free by The Works in addition to the general orientation. Tour Guides will also receive an on-site tour prior to the festival.

Comfort being outside and being on the go for 1.5-2 consecutive hours is required. While there is a lot of walking, mobility aids should not be a deterrent. Comfort approaching members of the public is an asset

Flexible between 10:30am -11pm

The Volunteer administration position is an important role as they can assist the volunteer coordinator prior, during, and after the festival depending on volunteer availability. While duties will differ daily, it involves the more administrative side of the festival, assisting with volunteer sign-ins, scheduling, setting up snack tables, relieving volunteers for breaks, and in general an extra pair of helping hands.

This role is great for volunteers who are looking to develop administration skills, learn more about the behind the scenes of the festival, and communicate more with volunteers and staff than the public.

As this is a trusted position, a reference and/or familiarity with The Works is required.