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Volunteer Opportunities
Development | Reading Buddies | Math Buddies | After Care | ARTiculate Studio | Sail Art Studion | Gallery Openings | Apply to Volunteer
DEVELOPMENT: Volunteers are always needed to help with gallery shows, volunteer program assistance, event planning, research, public relations, and other event and show promotions-related tasks.
Time commitment: Flexible, Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm.
READING BUDDIES: Designed to bring volunteers and students together to share one half-hour of reading each week. This regular, one-on-one experience allows the adult and child to create a bond and a level of trust that grows throughout the school year. Depending upon the student’s reading level, age, and abilities, the volunteers read to a child, read with a child, or perhaps just listen as a child reads to them. This simple act helps the students experience the joy of reading and encourages them to build meaningful relationships with supportive adults. Major recruitment is in September, with limited space available throughout the school year. Time commitment: One half-hour slot a week on Mon, Tues, Thurs, or Fri, from 12-12:30pm.
Read an article here about some Reading Buddies’ experiences and how meaningful this is for one workplace that has over 25 employees volunteering as Reading and Math Buddies.
MATH BUDDIES: Similar to the Reading Buddies Program except for math, volunteers meet one-on-one for half an hour a week during their lunch to to help strengthen students’ math skills. Volunteers are provided with training and math materials. Time commitment: One half-hour slot a week on Mon, Tues, Thurs, or Fri during lunch hour.
AFTER-CARE: Help to facilitate groups of children in the after-school program while they wait to be picked up from school. Students participate in activities including homework, free play, and visits to the local playground.
Time commitment: Flexible, M/T/R/F 3:45-6pm, W 12:30-6pm
ARTiculate STUDIO: Help in the employment-training program in the art studio under the supervision of the art instructors, as well as in the ARTiculate Gallery. The ARTiculate Employment Training Program is a vocational and life skills program that uses the artist’s studio and ARTiculate gallery as a learning environment. Participants are youth ages 14-24 with disabilities transitioning from school to work, college, or other training programs.
Times: Flexible, Mon-Thurs, 9am-1:30pm, or 4pm-6pm.
SAIL ART STUDIO: Help out in the elementary school art studio under the supervision of the SAIL art teacher. Tasks will primarily include non-class-related support and help with hanging art, etc. Some contact with students ages 5-12, including some students with special learning needs.
Times: Flexible hours between 8am-3pm, depending on instructor’s need.
ARTiculate GALLERY OPENINGS: We always need extra help on the night of our gallery show openings. If you are interested in helping out with greeting guests and talking to guests about art, this would be a perfect fit for you! Times: Once every 1-3 months anytime from 8am-6pm the day before an opening, and 8am-8pm the day of.
For more information on volunteering contact gallery@vsadc.org or v. 202-296-9100 ext. 268 f. 202-261-0200, tty. 202-261-0201.
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Intern Opportunities
Public Relations & Marketing | Design & Gallery | Development & Communication | Outreach | ARTiculate Employment | SAIL | Teacher | Other
VSA DC offers a variety of internships. VSA DC treats each intern application individually, and any stipend payments to the candidate will be determined prior to start date.
- Development/Grant Management/Project Management
- Arts Management/Art Gallery/Event Planning
- Marketing/PR/Sales
- Teaching/Special Education
- ARTiculate EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
- Art Studios (Must have previous Art Studio Background)
- Full Time Hip Hop and African Dance Class Summer Intern
- Full Time Graphic Design and GarageBand Class Summer Intern
- Full Time Photography Class Summer Intern
General Requirements: The following apply to all internships unless otherwise noted. Prospective interns must:
- Be reliable team players
- Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
- Presently hold undergraduate (junior, senior) or graduate student status
- Have attention to detail, excellent organizational and inter-personal communication skills
- Be a self-starter, personable, and articulate (customer service oriented)
- Have an interest in the arts and improving the lives of youth with special needs, special talents, and special abilities
The following descriptions are for the departments and programs within VSA DC. Please review each, and decide which department interests you most and meets your needs. Click here to apply for an internship!
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Public Relations and Marketing Intern
The successful applicant will have the following responsibilities:
- Assist ARTiculate student participants and Gallery staff with the day-to-day retail operations to include sales transactions, Gallery opening reception planning and promotions, corporate sponsorships and artwork commissions.
- Assist in promotion and management of the organization’s ART On the Move and Top of The ART programs.
The ideal candidate will have experience in public relations/marketing (experience in a gallery/retail environment a plus), experience obtaining corporate sponsorship for event venues, excellent multi-tasking and time management skills, excellent communication, administrative and customer service skills and a driving passion for the arts. WVSA is located conveniently in downtown Washington and is easily accessible by Metro. We are looking for applicants who are enthusiastic in becoming a part of a rewarding experience in equipping DC youth with educational and employment skills through arts integrated programs. Interested candidates are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume to hr@wvsarts.org (please indicate your interest in the internship). Feel free to visit our website at www.wvsarts.org for more information on VSA DC.
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Gallery & Design Intern
The successful applicant will have the following responsibilities:
- Greet and assist visitors to the Gallery;
- Assist with gallery show preparations, including taking down and sorting work from prior show, sorting new artwork for display, assisting with hanging the artwork, cleaning the Gallery and other opening preparations as requested;
- Cover the Gallery, handle sales, and answer questions about the Gallery and artwork;
- Provide input and recommendations to the Gallery staff to promote Gallery awareness and activities;
- Assist with sponsorship solicitations;
- Assist with Art on the Move and Top of the Arts promotions;
- Work with the Manager of Design to create a new website for WVSA and update website content as needed;
- Work with the Manager of Design for all graphic design needs within the Gallery including signage, graphic displays, advertisements and special event invitations;
- Distribute press releases for gallery shows;
- Work with vendors/students/staff to set prices for products for sale in Gallery;
- Work with the ARTiculate students on commissioned work as needed;
- Perform other duties in support of the organization.
The ideal candidate will have experience in sales/marketing (preferably in a gallery/retail environment), public relations and event planning (emphasis on obtaining sponsorship for event venues); excellent multi-tasking and time management skills; excellent communication, administrative and customer service skills and driving passion for the arts. Along with these abilities, candidates with framing skills and knowledge of digital photography/imaging are greatly desired.
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Development and Communications
VSA’s Development and Communications department focuses on raising funds and increasing community awareness and involvement about VSA DC.
Development Intern duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Grant management: research, writing, and tracking
- Fundraising: writing, including thank you letters
- Data entry
All aspects of direct mail appeals, including writing, mailing,tracking responses, and sending donation acknowledgements and thanks you notes Administrative tasks: answering and making phone calls, running errands, filing, faxing, copying, and pitching in whenever and wherever necessary
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Outreach Intern duties include:
- Writing and distributing press releases as needed
- Updating press kits and distribute as needed
- Building rental related tasks
- Assisting with the writing and distribution of all event related correspondence, including invitations, directions, volunteer instructions, thank you letters, etc.
Requirements:
- Interest in fundraising, public relations and development, see also, general requirements ARTiculate GALLERY
- The ARTiculate Gallery is a fully functioning gallery, which is open to the public Monday thru Friday 10:00am-6pm. The Gallery has six yearly show openings, displaying and selling artwork created by ARTiculate artist apprentices.
- Gallery Intern duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Interacting with customers in the gallery
- Learning how to exhibit and hang artwork: Help hang the show, take slides of the art, learn how to frame artwork, prepare for the opening reception
- Assisting the gallery director with Art On The Move, an art-leasing program
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ARTiculate Employment Program Intern
The ARTiculate Employment Program is a model for vocational and life skills training for students with disabilities and special needs looking for a successful transition from school to the world of work. The program boasts over 6 years of summer success in serving over 300 participants. A part of ARTiculate is The ARTiculate Gallery, a full-functioning gallery with six yearly gallery openings. Assignments for a summer intern will be:
Duties:
- Assist in orchestrating curriculum, materials and equipment in studios during classes at ARTiculate, including the following
- Set up studios for classes (organizing materials, work space)
- Assist in carrying out curriculum (providing hands-on support to participants with various art techniques/techniques such as acrylic/watercolor painting, printing techniques etc.)
- Assist in monitoring the participants’ workplace behavior/etiquette (language, sign-in/out, goal planning, implementing deadlines etc.)
- Break down classes (clean-up, dismissal, collecting materials etc.)
- Provide assistance to participants in the IT component of the ARTiculate program, such as word processing, digital photography & imaging, internet use etc.
- Assist instructors in maintaining classroom logs, carrying out written assessments etc.
Helpful Background Qualification:
- Experience in working with youth (with disabilities), preferably through the arts
- Background in using Apple Macintosh based software, digital photography
- Background in visual arts / graphic design
Hours
Mon – Thu 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tue – Thu 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
18 – 24 hours/week
(Four positions available)
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School for ARTs in Learning (SAIL) Public Charter School
The School for ARTs in Learning (SAIL) is a K-8 Public Charter School that encourages students to achieve their maximum potential while developing an awareness of the role of the arts in their daily lives.
SAIL’s mission is to provide an appropriate individualized education, focusing on children who have learning disabilities or other specical learning styles that make it difficult for them to succeed in traditional classroom settings.
SAIL is committed to encouraging students to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or embarrassment and motivating them to appreciate the arts as an intimately personal expression of their knowledge.
Teacher/Administrator Intern Opportunity
The Teacher/Administrator Intern reports to and works with the classroom Lead Teacher or School Administrator. The Intern is responsible for assisting the classroom Lead Teacher or School Administrator with general supervision and management of the designated tasks.
Responsibilities:
The Teacher/Administrator Intern responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:
- Assist in planning and implementing the daily program under the direction of the Lead Teacher/School Administrator, which includes lesson plans
- Assist leadership team members in administrative responsibilities
- Assist in planning and preparing the learning environment, setting up interest centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies.
- Supervise the classroom when the Lead Teacher is out of the room.
- Assist the Lead Teacher in other ways as requested.
- Treat all children with dignity and respect.
- Attend all staff meetings and recommended training programs and conferences.
- Help Lead Teacher to supervise and promote activities designed to enhance the healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development of children enrolled at SAIL.
- Help to maintain a neat and organized classroom.
- Attend parent group and school functions.
- Supervise all activities to ensure safety at all times.
Qualifications and Skills:
The Teacher/Administrator Intern must have the following:
- Warm and friendly personality, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, be able to relate well to children, and be willing to fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the school’s program and philosophy.
- At least 18 years old and meet the requirements of the licensing agencies and / or accreditation organizations.
- Mature individual
- Interested in pursuing a career in teaching/educational administration
- Ability to conform to an established work schedule
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate in a concise and effective manner
- Ability to understand and follow instructions precisely
- Ability to exercise tact, discretion and confidentiality
Student teachers: Student teachers’ duties and responsibilities will be evaluated on a case-to-case basis, usually following guidelines given by sending University or College. A classroom will be assigned, and curriculum discussed.
Artists: Visual, dance movement, music, etc. Duties will vary dependent on area of expertise and needs of the school.
Arts Educators: Individuals with a background in either the Arts or Education, who seek to become proficient in the other.
Research: Contribute to various research projects
For more information contact info@vsadc.org or v. 202-261-0204, f. 202-261-0200, tty. 202-261-0201.
