2024 Volunteer Applications are now open!
We can’t do it without volunteers!
12 hours of your time gets you a free ticket to the festival!
Submit your application today. Applications are open until all positions have been filled!
We plan to have all volunteer schedules ready to go by mid-July.
VOLUNTEER FAQ
Why are you asking for a $75.00 deposit?
In an effort to reduce no-shows for volunteer shifts with the ArtsWells Festival, we’re asking folks to make a deposit of $75.00 through Square in advance of the festival. This deposit will be reimbursed once the minimum 12 hours of volunteer duty are completed. The 12 or more hours will be divided into shifts throughout the festival (shift assignment will follow, based on your answers to this survey!) If volunteers do not complete the minimum 12 hours, the $75.00 deposit will be withheld by IMA.
If this deposit is a barrier to you, please message artswellsfestival@imarts.com and we will work to figure out accommodation.
Do Volunteers get any sweet perks?
A few…
- We have limited free camping space for volunteers in 2024. There is space for you to articulate your needs, if you have them, in the volunteer application.
- Access to our really lovely and very fun volunteer appreciation party on Monday night in Wells, features of which include food, cake, dancing, music and more.
- A heaping case of warm fuzzies knowing you are contributing to something so beautiful.
Can I bring my dog/pet/familiar?
No Pets at ArtsWells Festival!
For the safety of our festival-goers and natural wildlife, no pets are permitted within the ArtsWells Festival grounds or camping areas. This decision was made with the utmost concern for the health and well being of both dogs and participants. As fellow participants and animal lovers, we thank you for understanding and implementing this policy.
If you have a pet the best thing to do is to plan ahead and find a pet-sitter, family member or friend, veterinarian’s kennel or boarding facility near home that you have visited and feel comfortable with. We are working to source some boarding kennel details for the region and will work to update this section when we can!
What can you tell me about the volunteer positions you have available?
There are brief descriptions of each of the volunteer positions in the application, but if you want to talk details, get into it below!
Bartender + Bar Ticket Seller
Duties & Responsibilities
- Checking patrons for two pieces of ID
- Selling appropriate tickets using cash only
- Taking patrons orders and pouring drinks
- Stocking coolers
- Tapping and pumping kegs
- Maintain a clean and today work area
- Assist with table clearing, garbage, recycling, and maintaining clear beer gardens area
- Follow proper Serving It Right protocol
Qualifications & Requirements
- Must be 19 years or older
- Good customer service skills
- Basic math skills and can handle cash
- Basic serving knowledge
- Serving It Right (BC) certification is a must
- Should be able to lift heavy objects (beer keg)
Box Office
Duties & Responsibilities
- Greet and welcome all guests
- Sell festival tickets, camping passes, and programs
- Manage Will Call ticket distribution (check ID to match ticket purchaser)
- Trade valid tickets for the appropriate wristbands
- Ensure that all festival-goers have purchased the correct ticket (i.e. adult/youth/child/camping). You may request ID to confirm
- Understand the variety of tickets sold
- Track all Free Passes for children (12&under) through till
- Report any problems to the Box Office Crew Leader
- Keep track of wristband inventory
- End of shift cash outs MUST be completed
- Provide information and answer questions about the Festival
- Help keep shop area and tidy
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly and outgoing attitude
- Good customer service skills
- Ability to handle money and operate a Till / POS terminal
- Problem solving skills and basic math skills
- Ability to follow instructions
- Able to handle cash responsibly and accurately
Camping / Parking / Traffic
Duties & Responsibilities
- Volunteers will be broken into different groups for the several areas needing volunteers
- Greeting festival-goers as the arrive by vehicle
- Provide information about the festival in terms of where to camp, park, water stations, Box Office locations and other general festival information
- Encourage fellow festival-goers to help keep the town of Wells clean and green
- Remember: You are the face of the festival. The first contact festival-goers have as they arrive
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly and courteous attitude
- Able to arrive on time with little to no supervision
- Good customer service skills
- Problem solving skills
- Previous festival experience is an asset but not required
- Good festival knowledge
- Able to work outdoors and on foot for entire shift
Cleaning Crew
Duties & Responsibilities
- Various cleaning duties could include:
- Cleaning bathrooms: Showers, toilets, urinals, sinks and floors
- Sweeping and mopping main hallways, dance floors, and facility floors
- Restocking the facilities (Paper towel, soap, and toilet paper)
- Collection of all garbage and recycling in and around the buildings
- Removing all the full garbage and recycling bags from the building and placing in proper collection bins
Qualifications & Requirements
- Positive attitude
- Able to arrive on time
- Able to work with little to no supervision and to work independently
Dining Hall
Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare and present food quickly and efficiently on the buffet line
- Various tasks could include: Helping with food prep, serving, dishwashing, sweeping/mopping, and keeping the dinning hall tables cleanÂ
- Assist on the buffet line by serving specific portions of food to guests
- Assist with cleanup, garbage, recycling and compost
- Maintain a healthy work environment (i.e. follow food safe regulations, proper foot ware and clothing, and have hair tied back)
Qualifications & Requirements
- Able to work in a fast paced environment
- Able to follow instructions and directions
- Can work independently or with a group
- Physically able to lift heavy objects
- Work experience in a food establishment is desirable
Festival Set-up
Duties & Responsibilities
- Work with the direction of the Crew Leader or Assistants
- Loading and unloading gear, equipment and tools
- Moving gear equipment and tools to staging areas by vehicle
- Various set up activities could include: Assembling tents, constructing stages, setting up fences, setting up tables and chairs, helping with audio-visual equipment, hanging or erecting signage, decorating.
- Various office duties
- Running errands
Qualifications & Requirements
- Positive attitude
- Ability to follow instructions
- Able to work well independently or in a group
- problem solving skills
- Physically able to do manual labour
- Previous ArtsWells experience is an asset but not required
- Festival Set Up will happen rain or shine
Festival Tear-down and Clean Up
Duties & Responsibilities
- Work with the direction of the Crew Leader or Assistants
- Loading and unloading gear, equipment and tools
- Moving gear equipment and tools to storage areas by vehicle
- Various tear down activities could include: Taking down tents and repacking, deconstructing of stages, removing fencing, taking down tables and chairs, packing up all audio-visual equipment, removing all signage, collection of all ArtsWells related items from around the festival grounds.
- Cleaning various areas – inside and outside
- Running errands
Qualifications & Requirements
- Positive attitude
- Ability to follow instructions
- Able to work well independently or in a group
- Problem solving skills
- Physically able to do manual labour
- Previous ArtsWells experience is an asset but not required
- Festival Tear Down will happen rain or shine
First Aid + Harm Reduction
Duties & Responsibilities
- Render first aid and subsequent treatment to injured or ill patrons: sterilizes, disinfects, anoints, and bandages minor cuts and burns
- Keep records of all incidences using the blank reports available
- Recommend and refer people or workers with injuries for further serious medical treatment
- Call for a Crew Leader, RCMP or 911 if there is a situation you think requires this action
- Overall, maintain a happy, healthy and safe environment for everyone
Qualifications & Requirements
- Ability to take charge in a high stress situation and able to keep calm under pressure
- Able to be responsible in emotionally stressful situations
- Courteous and friendly attitude
- Can work well independently
- Good judgement, decision making and problem solving skills
- Confident
- Great people and communication skills
- Experience is an asset
- First Aid Certification is a must
IMA Office Switchboard
Duties & Responsibilities
- Answer phones
- Take and relay messages to appropriate people
- Greet and welcome those who come into the office
- Provide information and answer questions
- Direct people to the places or to the people they need
- Information will be provided for reference
- During slow periods there will be some filing, clerical work and data entry
- Help keep area clean and tidy
- Run various errands
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly attitude
- Good customer service skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to follow instructions
- Able to work well independently or in a group
- Previous ArtsWells experience is an asset but not required
- Basic computer skills are also an asset but not required
Information and Hospitality
Duties & Responsibilities
- Greet and welcome volunteers, performers, and festival-goers
- Provide information and answer questions
- Check passes
- Help keep area clean and tidy
- Run various errands
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly attitude
- Good customer service skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to follow instructions
- Able to work well independently or in a group
- Previous ArtsWells experience is an asset but not required
Kitchen Crew
Duties & Responsibilities
- Work directly under the supervision and direction of the Festival Cook
- Prepare, cook and present food quickly and efficiently
- Various kitchen tasks could include: Chopping, cooking, baking, dishwashing, sweeping/mopping, and keeping the kitchen and prep areas cleanÂ
- Assist with cleanup, garbage and recycling
- Work safely around kitchen equipment
- Maintain a healthy work environment (i.e. follow food safe regulations, proper foot ware and clothing, and have hair tied back)
Qualifications & Requirements
- Able to work in a fast paced environment
- Able to follow instructions and directions
- Can work independently or with a group
- Physically able to lift heavy objects
- Work experience in a food establishment is desirable
- Previous ArtsWells Kitchen experience is an asset
- Food Safe is also an asset
Master of Ceremonies / Stage Host
If you love public speaking, meeting people and keeping time, this is the volunteer position for you!
In your application, please leave us a little note about your experience doing this kind of work and what would make you a great MC for this year’s festival!
Media Team
Duties & Responsibilities
- Capturing key moments of the festival using the media type you are most proficient with
- Some editing may be done post-festival
- Send all media files to IMA in the appropriate format suggested
- All images / footage will be credited to the artist
Qualifications & Requirements
- Background in documentation is an asset
- Must provide their own equipment
- Friendly and courteous attitude
- Previous festival experience is an asset
Roving Security / Peace Patrol
Duties & Responsibilities
- Patrol specific areas on foot
- Conflict resolution
- Provide public safety by protecting people and property, and promoting good community relations
- Encourage people to move along after late night performances have completed and not congregate outside of the venues
- Make sure that open liquor is not leaving or entering buildings/venues
- be aware of people carrying open liquor on the streets. This is not permitted in the streets of Wells
- Call for a Crew Leader if there is a situation you are uncomfortable handling
- Overall, maintain a happy, healthy and safe environment for everyone
- Provide first aid or notify first aid workers if the situation arises
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly and courteous attitude
- Being aware of surroundings and people
- Capable of following instructions and can work well independently or in a group
- Good judgement, decision making and problem solving skills
- Confident
- Harm Reduction
- Great people and communication skills
- Experience is an asset
- First Aid Certification is an asset
Security / Front of House
Duties & Responsibilities
- Greet and welcome guests
- Stand at door or area assigned to you
- Check for the appropriate wristband
- If the venue is an 18+ area check for two pieces of ID
- Using a counter provided, count the number of guests going in and out. Note that there are capacity regulations for each venue that cannot be breached
- Politely redirect people from exit only or non-exit doors
- Conflict resolution
- Encourage people to move along after late night performances have completed and not congregate outside of the venues
- Make sure that open liquor is not leaving or entering buildings/venues
- Call for a Crew Leader if there is a situation you are uncomfortable handling
- Overall, maintain a happy, healthy and safe environment for everyone
Qualifications & Requirements
- Friendly and courteous attitude
- Being aware of surroundings and people
- Capable of following instructions and can work well independently
- Good judgement, decision making and problem solving skills
- Confident
- Great people and communication skills
- Experience is an asset
Stage Hand
Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist in the assembly and disassembly of set productions and equipment
- Loading and unloading of equipment
- Assist with video, sound and light production before, during and after sets
- Clean up stage and backstage areas after performances
- Help Musicians and Sound Crew with various tasks
- Guide musicians to equipment lock-up
- Assist the Stage/Venue Manager and the Sounds Crew to stay on time
Qualifications & Requirements
- MUST be technically minded/knowledge of show production
- Friendly and courteous attitude
- Physically fit to move quickly, carefully and lift heavy objects
- Capable of following instructions
- Can work well with others or independently
- Problem solving skills
