International Festival of Arts & Ideas

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Volunteer Corps

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. For two weeks in June and throughout the year, over 300 volunteers from the greater New Haven region and beyond bring the Festival to life. As 80% of our events are free to the public, we rely on the passion, commitment, and support of community members to help us continue to keep these creative experiences open to all.

Join the 2010 Volunteer Corps!
APPLY TODAY!
Download the 2010 Volunteer Handbook: Click here for the Volunteer Handbook in PDF!
In an effort to help the Festival go Green and become more efficient, paper applications were only mailed to returning volunteers who do not have e-mail addresses. All other Festival Volunteers (returning and new), please use the online form to apply for the 2010 Festival Volunteer Corps.
Thank you!

Below you will find:
Information about the NEW online application
Information about Volunteer Orientations
Descriptions of 2010 Volunteer Assignment Opportunities

Information About The NEW Online Application
Please read the following helpful hints before filling out the application:
1. Explore the event pages on the Festival's website and familiarize yourself with the 2010 program. That way you will have a better idea of the dates and times that you wish to volunteer.
2. Explore the Assignment descriptions below to determine which opportunities you would like to apply for this Festival.
3. If you would like to volunteer with your family or friends, talk over the Festival schedule with them and see what dates and times work for both of you.
4. Grab your calendar and have it by your side for reference when you log on to fill in the application. You must check off the dates and times that you are available or else we won't know when to schedule you.

Please Note: If you do log on and only fill out the Contact Information, but not the Assignment Information, then you will have to log on again and start a NEW application. We can't process your application without knowing what dates and times your wish to volunteer.

As always, please feel free to contact Rachel Alderman with any questions about the Volunteer Corps. E-mail volunteer@artidea.org or call 203.498.3750.

Volunteer Corps Orientations
New volunteers: Join us for an orientation session!

Click here for the Volunteer Handbook in PDF!

We encourage you to fill out an online application and then attend one of the volunteer orientations.
If you would like to learn more about the Volunteer Corps before filling out an application form,
contact Rachel Alderman at volunteer@artidea.org or 203.498.3750.

2010 Orientation Sessions:

Location: 15^th Floor Conference Room, New Alliance Bank Building,195 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510.
Metered street parking is available.

Please Note: This is a new orientation format and a new location from previous years.
If you volunteered in 2008 or 2009, it is not necessary for you to attend an orientation.

Wednesday May 19 (12pm-1pm)
Thursday, June 3 (5:30pm-6:30pm)
Saturday, June 5 (10am-11am)

2010 Assignment Opportunities

Information Booth
Warmly and proactively engage and assist passerbys and Festival patrons at our outdoor, public information booth. The Information Booth Coordinator provides on-site training and support during your shift.

Individual shifts last three hours
Small groups may commit to covering this booth for a half-day, full day, or multiple days

Surveyors
Welcome Festivalgoers to various venues, events and activities while gathering information from Festival attendees on a formal questionnaire. Responses become part of an economic impact study developed by Quinnipiac University which is used to present the Festival’s case for funding

Shifts last between 1-3 hours and include on-site training

Ushers
Help with crowd management by tearing tickets and handing out programs, among other tasks that may arise at Festival events

Shifts last between 2-5 hours and include on-site training
Must have the ability to stand comfortably for a length of time
The Volunteer Coordinator does not assign Ushers for shows at the Shubert Theater or Long Wharf Theatre
Ushers are not guaranteed to watch the performances, as the size of the audience or the demands of the particular volunteer assignment may not make it possible for them to be members of the audience

Concert Hosts
Help keep 80% of the Festival's programming FREE! The Festival places donation boxes on the sidewalks next to the New Haven Green during certain events to help pay for the wonderful programming we have all grown to love and look forward to in June. Any amount counts and Festival patrons will be encouraged to give what they can. Will you be a Festival Concert Host by welcoming people to the Green while attending to the donation boxes?

Walking Tour Assistants
Meet and greet tourgoers, distribute Festival materials, collect surveys and serve as a liaison to the Festival Tour Guide

Most tours last approximately one hour

Volunteers arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour to welcome attendees

Promo Team
Help get the word out! Distribute Festival promotional materials around the community.

Great way to help the Festival if you are short on time.
We are especially looking for volunteers willing to distribute across the state of Connecticut.
We provide the brochures, postcards, and other publicity for volunteers to distribute

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