The Art Park Associates: Volunteers Make All the Difference!

The Art Park depends heavily on dedicated volunteers, trained and activated through The Art Park Association [APA], our volunteer organization. APA volunteers perform much of the work planned and directed by the Park's staff and its permanent committees [see below], which are chaired by members of the Board of Directors but also include non-Board appointees. These committees plan and organize the work of the Park; volunteers get the work done. The Park also has an Advisory Board, which consists of individuals asked to consult with the Park staff and Board on particular issues or projects.

The following list of committees will give you a good idea of ongoing volunteer opportunities. If you want to know more about volunteering at the Park, whether it's one time only or as a regular commitment, please let us know of your interest and we can give you details about the many opportunities to help.

Working Committees at the Art Park
These brief descriptions can give you an idea of areas where we will welcome your help!

• Buildings and Grounds: oversees the maintenance and conservation of all Art Park buildings [including residential Artists Lodge, art studio and Art Barn, the Winner Gallery, the Hilltop House, and outbuildings]; equipment; roadways and parking areas; and the 108-acre grounds [including woodlot management, agricultural use of fields, maintenance of all meadows, ponds, fences, etc.]. Provides preservation and development planning; any activity, event, program, or issue that impacts the Park's buildings and/or grounds goes through this committee.
• The Trails Committee, a sub-committee of B&G, maintains the Park's 4 miles of marked trails, sites and develops new trails, and makes improvements to existing trails. This group especially invites groups to volunteer together & generally meets Saturday's, 9:00 AM, April-November.
• Garden Volunteers, another dedicated sub-committee, help keep the Art Park's gardens beautiful and weed-free. Bring a friend and help us maintain our gardens anytime or meet with regular group on Tuesdays & Thursday at 8:30 AM
• Gift Shop Volunteers are needed Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Hours are 12-2:30 & 2:30-5:00
• Development: plans and implements ongoing activities and special events to raise money for the Park's endowment as well as its annual budget. Is involved with development of all marketing, public relations, advertising, and most other communications, including brochures, exhibition catalogues, press releases, newsletters, and the Art Park website. Development of major donors, individual and corporate. Project development for grants and grant writing.
  
• Education: plans environmental and art education programs for the public, for all ages, year-round. Oversees the ever-popular, art-and-nature summer workshops for children. Works with Exhibition Committee and the Executive Director to administer Artist-in-Residence program.
  
• Exhibition: plans, schedules, and implements annual calendar of art events. Determines themes for installations and shows, engages guest curators, issues calls-for-proposals for art exhibitions, oversees selection of artists for annual summer exhibition. Works with staff to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and removal of both indoor exhibitions and outdoor artwork. Works with curators, Park staff, and/or engaged artists to produce exhibition catalogues and publicity.
  
• Finance: works with Executive Director to develop, modify, and oversee the Park's annual operating budget. Investment Committee manages Art Park's investment portfolio and serves as watchdog for the endowment funds.
  
• Membership/Volunteers: This group implements activities to recruit new Art Park members and trains volunteers to supplement paid staff. APA volunteers regularly staff the Art Park Gift Shop, serve as greeters at the indoor Winner Gallery during exhibitions, host public receptions for artists at gallery openings, and act as docents and trail guides for visiting groups. The APA always has something for a willing volunteer to do, and welcomes volunteers of all ages. We can train you, supply equipment, and do whatever else is necessary to get you involved -- bring a friend, too!
  
• Nominating/Board Development: Researches and solicits new members for the Board of Directors. Develops slate of officers for scheduled elections or position replacements. Works with Executive Director to plan and implement Board orientation and training, Board development activities, and retreats.
  
• Personnel: Oversees general personnel policy development and implementation, including salary scales and benefits, staffing requirements or changes, and personnel issues. Performs an annual performance review for the Executive Director.

Whether you have a casual interest or an expertise in any of these areas, please contact the Park office : 315-655-3196.