Community Arts are powered by people like you
Volunteers support Pillar Arts and our shared arts community in many different ways. From gallery sitting to exhibit and performance setup, community pop-ups support, flyering and arts promotion and more. Pillar Arts strives to provide volunteer opportunities for all. No experience required for most roles, opportunities open to everyone.
Pillar Arts operates two galleries, a performance venue FlexSpace, a community events calendar, newsletter, and a growing network of support organizations and programming. A lot of it is supported and sustained by motivated volunteers and artists from within our shared creative communities. Volunteering is an easy way for artists to become familiar with our resources and offerings, it’s an opportunity to learn how arts service organizations operate, and it’s an excellent chance to create friendships and collaborative partnerships with other artists and arts supporters.
Getting involved with the Bloomington creative community through Pillar Arts is a great opportunity for people without any previous connection to Indiana arts.
Expectations
Pillar Arts is a safe, and inclusive creative environment for all. We are an organization that supports artists and welcomes the public into art spaces as patrons. We ask all volunteers to read and abide by our Code of Conduct, and Volunteer Handbook. Volunteers may end their participation with Pillar Arts at any time and still maintain eligibility for other program participations.
Volunteering is a community service and a participatory opportunity, it is not a requirement for involvement with Pillar Arts. We appreciate and thank all volunteers for their active support and participation.
Choose your own volunteering adventure
Pillar Arts encourages volunteers to approach us ready to discuss different ways to be engaged and involved with the organization and arts community. Many volunteers pursue opportunities that compliment their career journeys, or help them find specific communities of like-minded artists.
Gallery Sitting + Greeting
Help us staff the Arts Alliance Center or By Hand Gallery. During open hours welcome visitors, answer questions, discuss art and artists, and share with patrons your love for the arts and the surrounding community. Requires a curiosity for art, and a friendly disposition.
Exhibition Setup + Gallery Display Rotation
Help us install, hang, and arrange artistic work when exhibits change in either gallery, or with the quarterly seasonal display rotations at either gallery. Hone your sense of information hierarchy, display composition, and color arrangement to catch the eye of customers alongside our arrangement experts. Requires some moderate to heavy lifting and usage of a ladder.
Performance FlexSpace Setup, Monitoring, and Cleanup Support
Help us help other artists and groups activate our performance FlexSpace venue. 30 minutes before and after every event setup and cleanup must happen. Learn what it takes to make live events happen, sit in and enjoy the show, and lean into the disciplined cleanup afterward. Requires some moderate to heavy lifting, and interest in live event support.
Community Boothing Pop-up Events
Help us operate a community pop up booth in and around Bloomington, Indiana. We have a ready to go display kit highlighting Pillar Arts when we are out in our community. We often invite along artists with compatible displays or performances. While we cannot ever sell at our community booths, it can givc an emerging artist a much needed early exposure platform. Requires a willingness to support and promote Pillar Arts in addition to supporting and promoting their own work. Requires some moderate to heavy lifting, and may involve being in adverse weather.
Exhibit and Event Flyer Distribution
Help us get the word out about exhibits, events, and community powered programming by distributing print materials to area businesses, coffee shops, libraries, apartment complexes, and community boards in and around the greater Bloomington area. Requires a flexible schedule, and transportation around the city.