The Festival can’t happen without the help of volunteers. We rely on volunteers to help with all aspects of the Festival, from office tasks to ushering to on-site support during events.
Volunteers
The commitment can be as little as 4 hours and you choose your volunteer task based on your availability and interests. See the description of our various volunteering opportunities below.
Many of these opportunities occur only during the summer festival, but volunteers are also needed to help with various activities throughout the year.
Why volunteer with the Festival? It’s an opportunity to have fun through helping to make the arts available to all. Ninety-five percent of last year’s volunteers said they will be back again in 2018! Volunteers who help at Festival events receive a free t-shirt, free stand-by seating to ticketed events, invitation to the volunteer picnic in July, and other free gifts.
How to Volunteer
Most opportunities to volunteer with the Festival occur at the free LakeFest
weekend in June. There are some ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout
the year as well.
The first step is to complete the application below. This is very short survey to collect information on how to contact you, your interests, and your past experience with the Festival. You will then be contacted as volunteer needs arise.
We want to thank the many volunteers who helped with LakeFest or ticketed events for the 2018 Festival. Our performing and visual artists repeatedly tell us that they look forward to participating in the Festival because we provide such wonderful volunteers. Please join us for a picnic dinner on Wednesday, July 18 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. Volunteers will receive an invitation via email with the details.
Questions? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at Karen@columbiafestival.com
Festival Volunteer Jobs
ARTIST MERCHANDISE
Help bands performing on the Festival stage, sell their merchandise, and serve as a second information booth.
CHILDREN’S VISUAL ARTS ACTIVITIES
Assist the KidzArt team as they guide children (and their parents) through hands-on arts and crafts activities.
HOSPITALITY
Help CFA performers feel comfortable by assisting backstage and providing food.
ARTS & CRAFTS LOAD IN/OUT
Assist artists participating in the Invitational Arts & Craft Show in uploading and loading artwork from their vehicles.
CFA OFFICE
Help answer phones during the festival and relay messages to staff.
INFORMATION BOOTH
Provide the welcoming face of the Festival. Volunteers provide information, answer questions, provide programs, distribute and collect surveys, and sell Festival merchandise.
ARTS & CRAFTS ARTIST SUPPORT
Provide relief breaks to participating visual artists.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Assist Columbia Association’s Open Space staff in maintaining the lakefront by picking up trash and making sure trash cans and recycle bins aren’t overflowing.
SIGNAGE
Post roadside signs for the Festival prior to Lakefest and remove afterward.