About the THE PLACES 4th Street Promenade Alley of Light Rice Howard Way Alley of Light Sculpture By Invitation Capital Boulevard Legacy Public Art Project - Canada 150 Arts on the Ave, Outdoor Sculpture Installation
About the Festival Media Information 2023 Artist Exhibits FAQs Volunteer Sponsors and Partners The Works Blog Artist Interviews
Current Exhibits Ongoing Projects Art Online Past Exhibits
About The Works Land Acknowledgement
Calls to Enter Internship Board Recruitment Volunteer
 

volunteer with the works!

The Works Art & Design Festival is the most unique, free event of its kind. It attracts artists, designers and patrons from around the world – boosting the city’s energy and imagination at the start of each summer.

Volunteers are at the heart of The Works Art & Design Festival. Without them, North America’s largest free outdoor art and design festival would not exist. We work closely with volunteers to provide the training and education needed to help us make art accessible to the public. We strive to ensure that every volunteer has a unique, exciting and personally fulfilling experience.  

We at The Works value inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility in our volunteer base. We encourage anyone who may require accommodation to apply! 

 
 
 
 
 

Contact the Volunteer Department

Contact us at The Works office:
Attn. Volunteer Department
10635 – 95th St. NW Edmonton, AB T5H 2C3
Phone: 780.426.2122 (ext. 230)
Email: volunteer@theworks.ab.ca               

 

             

 

Festival Volunteer Positions

We look forward to meeting you! Each year, we are humbled by the dedication of our volunteers, and we strive to provide great perks and recognition. Below, find volunteer positions listed in more detail.

Most shifts are 4 hours in length or just under, including a 30-minute break. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 12 hours. Accommodation can be made—just ask!

Attendance to a 1.5-hour in-person general orientation is mandatory, however there may be multiple held to allow for differing schedules. Accommodation can also be arranged.

 

  • 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

    Information Tent volunteers play an important role in the smooth running of The Works Art & Design festival. These volunteers are stationed at the information tent to help and answer any questions or concerns from festival patrons. Due to the various activities that are part of this festival, the type and number of questions and inquiries may differ daily.

    This position is great for folks wishing to practice social skills, visual arts students wishing to dive into the local art world, or any community member looking for an introduction into the arts. As attendants work in pairs, this is a great position for those looking to volunteer together. ESL and ASL welcome.

  • 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.

 

 Thank you to our volunteer supporters.

 

TART - Training in Art

Training in art interpretation, engagement, and discussion.

TArt - Training in Art

TArt is a free educational leadership opportunity available for volunteers interested in expanding their knowledge in art and design, art interpretation, and building confidence in discussing art. This session provides training in art interpretation, preparing participants to engage in discussions with festival patrons as an Exhibit Attendant. No experience necessary. This consists of one approximately two-to-three-hour classroom session. This session is a requirement for those interested in the Tour Guide position, with on-site tour training included for Tour Guides who will lead public tours through the festival site. If you’re interested, make sure to answer “yes” on your volunteer application. 

No experience necessary  

Though many TART participants have some educational background in the arts, TArt can help with improved confidence in engaging the public in discussions about art on the festival site. The goal of The Works free public tours is not to dispatch dates, facts and history, but to foster dialogue and encourage visitors to have meaningful interactions with artists and artwork.

TART Volunteers have opportunities to:

  • Meet and work with festival artists through exclusive artists talks and some artist assistant positions

  • Lead patrons on tours around the festival site

  • Receive deeper art interpretation training to promote meaningful conversations about art with patrons

  • Provide suggestions for improvement and growth of the festival

To apply for a TART position, indicate your interest on the online volunteer application form. 

 

Volunteer Benefits 

  1. Along with exclusive volunteer perks such as an exclusive Works volunteer T-shirt, daily snacks, refreshments, daily meals, a goodie bag, chances to win prizes, and attendance at the wrap up / appreciation party! You will also: 

  2. Gain experience in interacting with the public and in local and contemporary art and design communities. You will also gain confidence in discussing art with the general public and artists alike. You’ll get to learn the inner workings of a major art festival. Additionally, you’ll gain general volunteering experience and an appreciation of local art and design. 

  3. Make connections in local and new communities, meeting people from different ages and backgrounds. You'll also get to work alongside local artists, curators, staff, and other volunteers. 

  4. Develop teamwork skills and an ability to work with a variety of people from different ages and backgrounds. You’ll also get to develop multi-tasking skills, social and communication skills.  

  5. Work alongside The Works to increase the accessibility of art and create an inclusive environment for all folks to interact with and learn about local and contemporary art. You’ll also contribute to artists’ positive experience at the festival, learning about Edmonton's vibrant cultural, festival, and art scene 

  6. And contribute to festival patron’s positive experience with The Works festival. Lastly knowing you’re an integral piece to the running of North America’s largest free outdoor art & design festival. 

Apply today by completing the online volunteer application form.

Feel free to contact the volunteer department by emailing volunteer@theworks.ab.ca or Call us at 780-426-2122 (ext.230). Paper copies of applications are available upon request at The Works office.