Volunteer and Internship Opportunities with Burlington City Arts
Volunteers play an integral role in our mission of creating a dynamic relationship between the arts and the Burlington community. We hope that volunteers are able to increase their own skills and knowledge through trainings and events and we welcome volunteers who have an interest in the arts, regardless of their experience level.
The Benefits of Volunteering with BCA
As a welcome addition to the BCA community, we encourage volunteers to attend events, take classes, and enjoy recognition of their efforts by BCA staff. Volunteers who have been active within the last six months receive 15% off BCA classes and workshops. Volunteers receive a free class for every 30 hours of volunteer work with BCA. In addition, Special Event Volunteers often receive free t-shirts, food, and entry to ticketed events. Studio volunteers receive free access to the studio in which they are volunteering.
How to Apply for a Volunteer Opportunity
If you are interested in volunteering with Burlington City Arts, please direct inquiries and applications to the supervisor of the position for which you are applying. See VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for a complete listing of volunteer positions and their supervisors, as well as supervisors' emails. All volunteers must submit a Volunteer and Intern Application Form to the acting supervisor by email or mail.
If you have general questions or want to apply for multiple volunteer positions please contact Melissa Stiebert by email or by telephone at 802.865.9163.
How to Apply for an Internship Opportunity
If you are interested in being intern with Burlington City Arts, please direct inquiries and applications to the supervisor of the position for which you are applying. See INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for a complete listing of internship positions and their supervisors, as well as supervisors' emails. All interns must submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and Volunteer and Intern Application Form to the acting supervisor by email or mail.
If you are interested in applying for multiple internships, please submit an internship application to the supervisor of each position.
TO MAIL AN APPLICATION:
Send to:
Name of Supervisor
Burlington City Arts
149 Church St, City Hall
Burlington VT 05401
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
Art from the Heart
Do you have an hour and a half a week to give? Love Art? Then Art from the Heart needs you! Art from the Heart is a program that provides hospitalized children with the means to create art. Our goal with this program is to facilitate self-expression with recovering children. We're looking for volunteers who have compassion, creativity, and love working with children. Artistic interest is important, but experience is not necessary.
Supervisor: Melissa Stiebert, Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator
(802)-865-9163; mstiebert@ci.burlington.vt.us
Arts Mentoring
A mentor is a caring adult friend who devotes time to a young person. Mentors are not teachers, they aren’t substitute parents, nor are they disciplinarians or a decision makers for a child. Mentoring is a time to help young people gain the skills and confidence to be responsible for their own future. BCA mentor pairs enjoy the use of all of our studios and classrooms in addition to a kitchen and projector. In addition to making art together, matches spend their time in a variety of ways. Recent examples include re-potting plants, skateboarding, climbing at Petra Cliffs, eating pizza and playing games at Pizza Putt, getting a milkshake, walking along the lake, and eating at Flatbread.
Supervisor: Melissa Stiebert, Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator
(802)-865-9163; mstiebert@ci.burlington.vt.us
BCA Education
Volunteer opportunities vary throughout the year in the BCA Education Program. They range from education internships to teaching assistant positions for our classes and summer camps.
Supervisor: Melissa Walker, Education Director
(802)-865-7524; mwalker@ci.burlington.vt.us
Burlington City Arts Main Desk
Volunteers work to gain a deeper understanding of BCA while acting as representative to public.They will work closely with BCA staff to ensure completion of daily activities.
Supervisor: Melinda Johns
(802)-865-7166; mjohns@ci.burlington.vt.us
Clay Studio: Program Assistant
Interns and volunteers will support clay studio programming as class/teaching assistants, administrative support, studio maintenance, and outreach support. Previous clay experience is helpful but not required.
Supervisor: Tamara Eddy, Clay Education Coordinator
(802)-860-7474; teddy@ci.burlington.vt.us
Clay Studio: Studio Monitors and Assistants
The Clay Studio seeks those interested in volunteering four hours each week assisting in studio operations in exchange for access to space, use of facilities, discounted materials, sale opportunities and print or clay class. Previous clay experience is required.
Supervisor: Catherine Abraham, Studio 250 Manager
(802)-860-7474; cabraham@ci.burlington.vt.us
Event Assistant
Event assistants aid clients and vendors in planning and executing private events, help host private events, protect the building and collections during events, help market the Firehouse Center as a go-to destination for event rentals, and staff internal events.
Supervisor: Lisa Long, Events Manager
(802)-865-5849; llong@ci.burlington.vt.us
Firehouse Gallery
In the Firehouse Gallery, volunteers attend the gallery, interact with the public, assist with installations, lead tours for First Friday Art Walk, and provide general support to gallery staff. To volunteer, please fill out a Volunteer Application and return it to the Firehouse Gallery Manager.
Supervisor: Amanda Sanfilippo, Gallery Manager and Assistant Curator
(802)-865-7165; asanfilippo@ci.burlington.vt.us
Print Studio
Volunteers will be acting as a studio assistant, teaching assistant, or studio monitor. Must have prior printmaking experience.
Supervisor: Catherine Abraham, Studio 250 Manager
(802)-860-7474; cabraham@ci.burlington.vt.us
Special Events
Volunteers ensure the successful completion of BCA special events on an “as needed” basis. Events may include the Burlington Jazz Fest, Burlington’s First Night, or fundraising for our Education Program
Supervisor: Melissa Stiebert, Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator
(802)-865-9163; mstiebert@ci.burlington.vt.us
Community Programs Intern
Interested in nonprofit program management? Want to learn valuable work place skills while helping youth in your community? Assist with the coordination of Burlington City Arts’ Community Programs, including Mentor Arts (an art-based mentoring program for at-risk youth), Art from the Heart (a volunteer program at the Vermont Children’s Hospital), and/or the Volunteer Program. Together, supervisor and intern design an internship based on the skills, interests, availability, and academic needs of the intern and the programmatic needs of the Community Programs.
Supervisor: Melissa Stiebert, Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator
(802)-865-9163; mstiebert@ci.burlington.vt.us
Corporate Art Program Intern
Assist the Artist Coordinator with maintenance and regular updating of the Corporate Art Services database. Will be using professional gallery software, scanner, etc. Learn about the many functions of an arts center. Responsibilities might include: exhibition installation; artist studio visits; art packing and transportation; attending client business meetings; representation of the program at events; and general office work. Interns who elect to receive academic credit will be given one major project to complete during the internship. Previous projects included: documentary video for gallery exhibition; major inventory project, including database creation; exhibition curation and design; and large-scale research project and report. Internships are 10 to 20 hours a week.
Supervisor: Kate Ashman, Artist Coordinator/Art Sales & Leading
(802)-865-7296; kashman@ci.burlington.vt.us
Event Assistant
BCA rents the second floor and the plaza of the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts to the public for wedding receptions, holiday parties, business meetings and more. Event assistants will assist clients and vendors plan execute private events; help host private events; protect the building and collections during events; help market the Firehouse Center as a got to destination for event rentals; staff internal events; and plan, publicize, and execute their own event at the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts. Internships are 10 to 20 hours a week.
Supervisor: Lisa Long, Events Manager
(802)-865-5849; llong@ci.burlington.vt.us
Firehouse Gallery
A limited number of unpaid internships are available. Interns work closely with staff to complete independent projects in curatorial studies, gallery education, and arts administration and can receive academic credit. Internships at the gallery are a 10 week, 10 hour per week commitment.
Internship Application Deadlines:
Fall: August 15
Winter/Spring: December 15
Summer: April 1
Supervisor: Amanda Sanfilippo, Gallery Manager and Assistant Curator
(802)-865-7165; asanfilippo@ci.burlington.vt.us
Graphic Design Assistant
Job Responsibilities/Functions may include: assisting the art director in design plans/strategies and developing printed marketing materials. Projects could include: designing and printing brochures for various BCA programs, designing invites for special events, print ads, web updates, etc. Must have familiarity with Macintosh OS, Adobe CS4 programs (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc.) and Microsoft Office. Internships are 10 to 20 hours a week.
Supervisor: Rachel Severance, Art Director
(802)-865-7157; rseverance@ci.burlington.vt.us
Marketing Assistant
Job Responsibilities/Functions may include: assisting in marketing plans/strategy; helping in database creation and management; distributing and implementing marketing materials; contacting press outlets; organizing press and advertising materials; and play an active role in developing public relations and marketing plans. Interns will also complete a personal, independent project. Internships are 10 to 20 hours a week.
Supervisor: Eric Ford, Marketing Director
(802)-865-5355; eford@ci.burlington.vt.us