VOLUNTEER
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Project Onward is a donor-dependent non profit that relies on the support of generous benefactors who contribute their time, energy, skills and financial resources to ensure that our organization can continue to serve artists with mental and developmental disabilities. Since moving to Bridgeport at the end of 2013, Project Onward has expanded its artist roster by over 20% and we look forward to continuing to broaden our engagement and offer many more artists the opportunity to join this unique studio and gallery environment. Extending our support, however, requires your support.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Project Onward.
We are not currently accepting new volunteers at this time, but will reopen applications early 2024.
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volunteer needs
Gallery Administration
Volunteers are critical to the Project Onward's smooth operations and can support us in many ways including: Business & Retail Operations, Customer Service, Communications/Marketing and through special projects.
Necessary Skills: Personable and organized, good customer relations skills, Mac, Word/Excel, Google Docs
Desired Skills: Photoshop and Illustrator
Expected Commitment: Minimum of two hours per day, one time per week for three months (maximum 4 hours per day, 3 times per week), or art studio volunteers who assist when a need arises.
Artist Support
Volunteers assist in the studio to facilitate the art-making process. A wide variety of art media are used to create works on paper, canvas, sculpture, mixed media assemblages and construction. Responsibilities include prep work, clean up, one-on-one assistance, and special projects. Volunteer must be available on a Tuesday – Saturday during studio hours, 11:00am-5pm.
Necessary Skills: Working familiarity with various art media and techniques, respect for individual creativity; experience with people with disabilities or mental illness preferred but not required.
Expected Commitment: Minimum of four hours per day, one time per week for three months.
Exhibition Preparation & Installation
Skilled volunteers are needed to assist us to prepare and install exhibits. Responsibilities include matting, packaging, and/or framing. We also use volunteers to prepare the gallery before and after exhibition, i.e. spackling, painting, hanging artwork, etc., and to take inventory of artwork or merchandise.
Necessary Skills: Demonstrated competence to prepare art for exhibition, and/or basic interior wall painting skills.
Expected Commitment: Assist us with at least three exhibitions in one calendar year.
Special Events
There are a variety of activities for people who wish to volunteer at exhibition openings, portrait events, and/or fundraising events. Responsibilities include welcoming attendees, setting up and staffing wine and food area, providing artist bios and other information to patrons, writing receipts, wrapping art, etc.
Necessary Skills: Friendly, outgoing and responsible, communication skills, requires educating oneself on artists' bios and artwork.
Expected Commitment: Assist us with at least three special events in one calendar year.
Want to learn more about Project Onward?
You can always visit us in person, we are open Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–5pm. Our gallery is free and open to the public.