Why Volunteer?
Sequim Arts is a small organization with a large footprint. We coordinate monthly Art Walks, run more than fifty workshops a year, produce a nine-day painting festival, and manage an artist residency. None of that happens without volunteers.
People volunteer with us for different reasons. Some are retired professionals who want to stay connected and active. Others are working artists who want to give back to the community that supports their practice. Some are newcomers to Sequim who see volunteering as a way to meet people and learn the town. Whatever brings you here, we're glad you're considering it.
Current Volunteer Roles
First Friday Art Walk
Art Walk volunteers help with setup and teardown at participating venues, distribute maps and programs to visitors, and assist with event coordination. This is our most social volunteer role, perfect for people who enjoy conversation and a lively downtown atmosphere. Time commitment: approximately 4 hours on the first Friday of each month, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.
Workshop Assistant
Assist workshop instructors with material preparation, participant check-in, and studio cleanup. Some roles require familiarity with specific media (ceramics, printmaking), but many are suitable for anyone comfortable in a studio environment. Time commitment: varies by workshop, typically 3 to 5 hours per session.
Youth Arts Mentor
Work alongside instructors in our Youth Arts program, providing one-on-one guidance to young artists ages 6 through 18. We look for volunteers who are patient, encouraging, and experienced in at least one visual art medium. A background check is required for all youth-facing roles. Time commitment: one afternoon per week during the school year.
Plein Air Festival Coordinator
Help organize our annual Plein Air Festival by managing artist registration, coordinating painting locations, assisting with the juried exhibition, and supporting the collector sale. This is a seasonal role with most activity concentrated in August and September. Time commitment: 15 to 25 hours over a six-week period.
Gallery & Exhibition Support
Assist with hanging and installing artwork for exhibitions in our partner galleries and community spaces. This role is ideal for people with experience in art handling, framing, or exhibition design, though we're happy to train motivated newcomers. Time commitment: varies, typically 4 to 8 hours per exhibition.
Office & Administrative
Support the day-to-day operations of Sequim Arts with tasks like data entry, membership processing, newsletter editing, and event logistics. Volunteers with skills in graphic design, web maintenance, or nonprofit administration are especially valued. Time commitment: flexible, 2 to 6 hours per week.
Event Photography & Documentation
Photograph Art Walks, workshops, exhibitions, and community events for our website, newsletter, and social media. Volunteers should have their own camera equipment and a willingness to share images under a Creative Commons or similar license. Time commitment: event-specific, typically 2 to 3 hours per event.
What Volunteers Say
"I moved to Sequim after retiring and didn't know anyone. Volunteering at the Art Walk gave me instant community. Two years later, some of my closest friends are people I met while handing out gallery maps."
"As a painter, I wanted to support the organization that supports us. Helping with the Plein Air Festival let me meet artists from across the Pacific Northwest while contributing to something I care about."
How to Get Started
We try to make volunteering straightforward. Here's the process:
- Express interest. Email [email protected] and tell us what roles interest you and what your schedule looks like.
- Brief orientation. New volunteers attend a 30-minute orientation covering our organization, programs, and volunteer expectations. These are held monthly or as needed.
- Background check (youth roles only). If you'll be working with minors in the Youth Arts program, we run a standard background check through Clallam County.
- Start volunteering. We match you with a role and connect you with a team lead who'll get you up to speed.
There's no minimum time commitment required (though we ask for reliability once you've signed up for a specific event or role). Some volunteers contribute a few hours a month. Others are involved every week. Both are valued.
Volunteer Recognition
We recognize outstanding volunteers at our annual meeting each January with the Sequim Arts Volunteer of the Year award. All active volunteers receive a complimentary Individual Artist membership and are invited to our annual volunteer appreciation gathering in November.
Ready to get involved? Reach out to us at [email protected] or stop by during office hours. We look forward to working with you.