Volunteer with us!

Apply by: 5pm, Wednesday 29th May 2024

Interviews: Friday 7th June 2024

Apply Now

Volunteer with us

We're recruiting new volunteers. Are you passionate about the arts and enjoy working with a wide range of people? We’re looking for an enthusiastic, creative and friendly individual to support the delivery of our visual art programme. Our voluntary roles will run from July - December 2024. Volunteer shifts take place once a week over six months at 1-5pm on either Thursday or Friday afternoons, alongside helping out on a Saturday, once a month. We are currently recruiting for two roles: Learning Programme Assistant and Public Programme Assistant. If you have any additional requirements to support your application please let us know. Get in touch for more information or if you have any questions.

“What are you looking for?”

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
An interest in contemporary visual arts
An interest in working with artists, publics, young people and families
Passion and enthusiasm for engaging communities in art activities
Willingness to undertake a DBS check
Willingness to partake in Safeguarding training

Benefits

Free access to our associate artist membership scheme. Volunteers are invited to attend members’ meetups and workshops, where they will be able to share their own creative practice with others.
Hands on experience of running a thriving artist-led organisation.
Valuable connections to our network.
10% off all products in our shop.
A reference should the volunteer complete the full 6 months of activities.

Get in touch

Learning Programme Assistant

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, creative and friendly individual to support workshop delivery for our learning programme. The role will support an exciting programme delivering activities to a group of young people and to the local community. This is a great opportunity to develop skills in arts workshop delivery. This role will support our Art Club for Young People and our Family Workshops both of which take place once a month.

Role responsibilities

Support the Learning Programmer to deliver exciting and engaging arts workshops for young people and familie
Be a supportive and listening ear for workshop participants
Provide practical hands on support in setting up and clearing away session
Engage participants in conversation throughout workshop session
Follow our Safeguarding policies and procedures and prioritise the welfare of children & young people

Apply

Public Programme Assistant

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, creative and friendly individual to support the delivery of our visual art programme. The role will support events and exhibitions, working with our team to deliver activities to the public. This is a great opportunity to develop skills in an artist-led organisation.

Role responsibilities

Support the Team Leader and Technical Coordinator to deliver exciting and engaging public arts programme
Recieve hands on training to provide practical support in setting up and setting down exhibitions
Engage visitors in conversation as part of front of house responsibilities
Assist with the marketing and promotion of our programme
Develop creative projects in line with our vision and values

Apply

Testimonies

Lisa Pickford (2024)

“I feel like I have a greater understanding of what it means to work in an artist-led organisation and how important MPND is to the community.”

Volunteering at MPND for the last 12 months has been a great experience and has given me so many opportunities to meet and network with artists, and support with different types of events and workshops, leaving me with additional skills that I can take forward and explore further. I would highly recommend getting involved in the programme.

Caitlin Binks (2023)

“I applied to volunteer with Modern Painters, New Decorators during my graduate artist residency year to gain some real-life experience and skills in working in the arts. I ended up gaining more than I expected.”

I’ve done many new things this year, like facilitating workshops with the public, safeguarding training, installing shows and working behind the scenes in the gallery. Outside of the gallery, I’ve also been able to experience being part of a community and team of professional artists who have shared their knowledge with me and helped me to grow as an artist. The support and community feel of working at Modern Painters, New Decorators has helped me through my residency. I’ve achieved things I probably wouldn’t have had I not been part of this team. I feel much more prepared to leave the university bubble and pursue a career in the arts after the experience and confidence I’ve gained at Modern Painters, New Decorators! I feel more sure of my skills as an artist and have confidence in myself to do things I wouldn’t have even considered last year. My favourite part of volunteering has been improving my workshop facilitating and installation/DIY skills, which have benefitted me in my practice. In short, I’ve loved my time here, and I’m sad it’s time to leave!

Issie Martin (2023)

“Every time I come in, it’s a surprise what I’ll be doing - painting and wallpapering, planning sessions or making together. I’ve learnt more skills than I could have imagined when I applied or through studying!”

I’ve had the loveliest time volunteering for Modern Painters, New Decorators! Starting just over a year ago (in the first year of my degree), helping with the Family Workshops and Art Club, my confidence in leading activities and inputting to conversations surrounding the exhibitions/programme has grown so much. Being involved in developing ‘Our Common Mercies’ made me appreciate having creative support and conversations outside of the university and allowed me to expand my understanding of possibilities post-degree. Collaborating with the team and exhibiting my work within Loughborough has been so fulfilling - often leaving a day of volunteering with a massive grin - I couldn’t recommend it more and will miss this so much!

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